UK Credit Reports Explained: Which One Do Mortgage Lenders Check?

The Three Credit Reference Agencies

The UK has three main credit reference agencies (CRAs) that collect and hold information about your financial history. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will check your credit file with one or more of these agencies to assess your creditworthiness.

Why there are three agencies

Each agency operates independently and collects data from different sources. Not all lenders report to all three agencies, which means the information held about you can vary between them. This is why checking all three is important before applying for a mortgage.

Experian

Largest UK credit reference agency

Experian is the most widely used credit reference agency in the UK. They hold data on approximately 50 million UK adults and work with the majority of UK lenders. Their credit score ranges from 0-999.

Most comprehensive UK credit data
Used by the majority of mortgage lenders
Free access via Experian app (limited) or MoneySavingExpert Credit Club

Equifax

Global agency with strong UK presence

Equifax is a global credit reference agency with significant UK operations. Many lenders use Equifax either as their primary source or alongside other agencies. Their credit score ranges from 0-1000.

Strong presence in banking and financial services
Used by many high street banks
Free access via ClearScore

TransUnion

Formerly Callcredit

TransUnion (formerly Callcredit) is the third main UK credit reference agency. While smaller than Experian and Equifax, they are still used by many lenders. Their credit score ranges from 0-710.

Growing market share in UK lending
Used by several major mortgage lenders
Free access via Credit Karma

Credit Score Comparison

Each agency uses its own scoring model, making direct comparisons between scores impossible. A score of 700 means very different things depending on which agency you're looking at.

Rating	Experian (0-999)	Equifax (0-1000)	TransUnion (0-710)
Excellent	961 - 999	811 - 1000	628 - 710
Good	881 - 960	671 - 810	604 - 627
Fair	721 - 880	531 - 670	566 - 603
Poor	561 - 720	439 - 530	551 - 565
Very Poor	0 - 560	0 - 438	0 - 550

Scores aren't everything

Mortgage lenders don't just look at your credit score. They examine the underlying data - payment history, existing debts, credit utilisation, and any adverse marks. A high score with recent defaults is worse than a moderate score with a clean history.

Which Lenders Use Which Agency

Different mortgage lenders have relationships with different credit reference agencies. Some check just one, while others check two or even all three. Here's what we know about major UK lenders:

Lender	Experian	Equifax	TransUnion
HSBC	Yes	-	Yes
Nationwide	Yes	Yes	Yes
NatWest / RBS	Yes	-	-
Barclays	Yes	Yes	-
Lloyds / Halifax	Yes	Yes	-
Santander	-	Yes	Yes
TSB	Yes	-	-
Virgin Money	Yes	Yes	-

Note: Lenders may change their credit reference agency relationships. This table reflects commonly reported usage patterns and may not be exhaustive.

Why this matters

If you have an issue on your Experian report but not on Equifax, applying with a lender that only checks Equifax could give you a better chance. A mortgage broker can help match you with lenders based on your credit situation.

Why Check All Three Before Applying

Checking all three credit reports before your mortgage application isn't just good practice - it could save your application from rejection or help you secure a better rate.

Spot Errors

Errors can appear on one report but not others. A wrongly recorded default or incorrect address could derail your application. You have the right to dispute errors with each agency.

Identify Fraud

Fraudulent accounts or applications in your name may only show on one agency. Checking all three helps you catch identity theft early and take action.

Understand Your Full Picture

Different lenders report to different agencies. Your full credit history is only visible when you combine information from all three sources.

Strategic Applications

If your score is stronger with one agency, you can focus on lenders that primarily use that agency for their credit checks.

What to Look For

1
Electoral roll registration
Ensure your current address is registered - this is a key verification factor.
2
Address history
Check all previous addresses are correct and there are no unknown addresses.
3
Financial associations
Review linked people - former partners or housemates could affect your score.
4
Account accuracy
Verify all credit accounts listed are yours and show correct balances and payment status.
5
Recent searches
Check for any credit applications you didn't make - a sign of potential fraud.

Free vs Paid Access

You have a legal right to access your credit report for free, but premium services offer additional features. Here's how to check each agency:

Free Access Options

Recommended

Experian - via MoneySavingExpert Credit Club

Free full Experian report and score, updated monthly. Also available via the Experian app with limited features.

Equifax - via ClearScore

Free full Equifax report and score, updated weekly. Clean interface with helpful insights and tips.

TransUnion - via Credit Karma

Free full TransUnion report and score, updated weekly. Includes credit monitoring alerts.

Paid Services

Experian Premium

From £14.99/month

Daily score updates, dark web monitoring, fraud alerts, and identity protection features.

CheckMyFile

From £14.99/month

Multi-agency report showing data from all three agencies in one place. 30-day free trial available.

Free is usually enough

For most people, the free services provide everything needed to prepare for a mortgage application. The paid multi-agency services can be useful if you're actively fixing credit issues and want a consolidated view.

Statutory Credit Report

Under UK law, you can request a statutory credit report from each agency for just £2. This is a basic report without scoring or analysis features, but contains all the information lenders see.

Self-Employed & Ltd Directors: Business Credit Files

If you're self-employed or a limited company director, there are additional credit considerations beyond your personal file that some mortgage lenders may review.

Sole Traders

As a sole trader, your business and personal finances are legally one and the same. This means:

All business credit appears on your personal credit file
Business debts are your personal liability
Late payments to suppliers could affect your personal score
You don't have a separate business credit file to manage

Limited Company Directors

If you operate through a limited company, your company has its own separate credit file. Some mortgage lenders, particularly for larger loans or complex cases, may review both.

Business Credit Reference Agencies

Creditsafe

Major business credit agency

Dun & Bradstreet

Global business credit data

Experian Business

Business arm of Experian

Equifax Business

Business arm of Equifax

What Lenders May Look For

Company filing history (accounts filed on time)
CCJs or legal actions against the company
Director history and any failed companies
Credit utilisation on business accounts

Personal guarantees matter

If you've personally guaranteed business debts (common for small business loans, commercial mortgages, or supplier credit), these can appear on your personal credit file and affect mortgage affordability calculations.

Checking Your Business Credit

You can check your company's credit file through agencies like Creditsafe (limited free reports) or by purchasing a full business credit report. If you're applying for a substantial mortgage, it may be worth reviewing your company's credit alongside your personal files.

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