2. Disassociate yourself from your financial partner
Find out more here.

3. Get on the electoral roll
This will improve your chances of being accepted for credit. The reason for this is that prospective lenders and credit reference agencies will use it to check your identity and address. Ensure your credit record shows correct address details. Living at the same address, being employed in the same job (with the same employer) and having the same bank account for a reasonable period of time will also help.

4. Close unused credit cards, store cards, direct debits and mobile contracts
Lenders might consider the amount of credit you have access to, as well as the amount of debt you owe. Close all credit accounts such as credit cards, store cards, mobile contracts and accounts that you don’t use or need anymore.

5. Don’t miss or make late repayments
Missed and late payments can stay on your credit file for up to six years. If you’ve made a late payment due to circumstances beyond your control (i.e. your direct debit wasn’t set up in time), so long as you made the payment promptly, talk to your credit provider and see if you can get this black mark removed. This also applies to late payments on utility bills like gas or electricity.

6. Pay off your debts
Pay off more than just the minimum payment. This signifies good behaviour to a prospective lender. To be seen as managing your debt well, ensure that you’re making headway into repaying what you’ve borrowed.

7. Build your credit history with a credit card
If you’ve never had credit before, it’s difficult for a lender to assess you. Consider taking out a credit building credit card, making a couple of purchases on it each month and then repaying the balance in full at the end with a direct debit to build a good credit history. This will show that you can responsibly manage credit.

8. Take out a prepaid card to repair your credit
Credit builder prepaid cards can help you improve your credit rating. They charge a monthly fee (about £5), which you’ll need to keep paying for 12 months, but at the end they will add an entry to your credit file that you have successfully repaid a debt. A prepaid card doesn’t require a credit reference as you don’t borrow on it.

9. Space out your credit applications
Credit reference agencies don’t get told if you are rejected for credit, but a note is made every time a credit search is made by a lender. Don’t use a scatter gun approach to applying for credit. The more credit searches carried out in a short space of time, the less likely you are to be accepted for credit. Space out credit applications and, if possible, try to find out whether you’re likely to be accepted before applying. Do not apply for products unless you really need them.