Here are a few things you can do to improve your credit rating:
Make sure you keep up to date with payments on any financial products you have. If you miss credit card, mortgage, loan, mobile phone or other utility bill payments it could be registered on your credit report and affect your chances of getting credit in the future.
We'd recommend setting up direct debits for all regular payments you need to make, so you know the payments will be taken each month - one less thing to remember or worry about.
Check that you're registered on the electoral roll at your current address - lenders use this to confirm your name and address.
Check the information on your credit report is accurate and up to date. If you believe something on your credit report is incorrect, contact the credit reference agency about this.
If your credit report states you have financial links to another person and this is no longer correct (for example an ex-partner or flat mate), you can request these are removed. The credit reference agency will be able to help with this.
Each time you apply for a credit product a 'footprint' is shown on your credit file for one year. If you apply for lots of credit products in a short space of time it can lead to you being rejected (as lenders may be concerned how much credit you are requesting). Try to spread out your credit applications and find out why you have been refused credit before you apply elsewhere.