My credit score is a mess and I think it’s my ambiguous address that is causing it. When a group of us rented our flat, we were told by the landlord that the address was Flat B followed by the street address. However, it would appear the landlord never registered this address as online postcode searches don’t recognise it. Meanwhile, our council tax is charged to “Flat 1st and 2nd Floor”.
Most credit card company websites don’t even know my address exists, and if they do it’s impossible for them to match my identity with my council tax account and billing addresses – and hence prove my creditworthiness.
I can’t get even a basic credit card and am terrified of what might happen if I ever apply for a mortgage. JP, London
Credit reference agencies rely on the postcode address file compiled by the Royal Mail and the electoral roll, which councils organise. You can rectify your entry yourself by first contacting the council’s street naming and numbering department to establish what the address should be.
You can then amend the postcode address file online and inform the council’s electoral roll department, which updates entries monthly.
According to James Jones of the credit reference agency Experian, the correct details should filter through to all organisations that use those databases. “The credit reports at all three agencies might still need work afterwards if one or more organisations have already registered records at different address variations,” he said.
“We can help with that once the tenant has amended the address by raising queries on his behalf.”
If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number.
