UK Electoral Roll
How the UK Electoral Roll can affect your credit.
If you are not on the electoral roll, this could cause you to be refused for credit. Lenders check the electoral roll to confirm your name and address and some may refuse you credit simply because you're not registered to vote. So, if you're eligible to vote, contact your local council to make sure your name is added to the electoral roll straight away. And remember, it's illegal not to register! Councils now amend their registers monthly so if you are refused for credit, your credit report should be updated quite quickly.
People not eligible to vote—for example non-British residents or long-term visitors—who want to apply for credit can send Experian UK alternative proof of address and ask them to add a note to their credit reports confirming sight of this.
Getting back on the UK Electoral Roll after opting out.
If your names have been missed off the electoral roll, simply contact your local council and ask for them to be added now. Councils update their registers monthly and pass these details on to the credit reference agencies for you. Councils keep two versions of the electoral roll, called the edited and the full registers. If you opt out of the edited register because you don't want it used by mailing companies, you will still be included on the full register which is used only for voting purposes and to allow lenders to check your name and address when you apply for credit. March 2004