Frequently asked
The questions I get most.
Q I've been refused everywhere. Is there anything left to try?
A Yes — specialist lenders, credit-builder cards, and credit unions are all designed for exactly this. Start with a soft-search eligibility checker so you don't leave more footprints.
Q How long does bad credit stay on my file?
A Most negative markers (defaults, CCJs, missed payments) drop off after six years from the date they were registered. Some fixable things fade within months.
Q Does checking my own credit score hurt it?
A Never. Checking your own file is always a soft search and completely invisible to lenders. You can do it as often as you like.
Q How much can I safely borrow each month?
A A common rule of thumb: total monthly credit repayments under 30% of your take-home pay. Above that and one bad month causes real trouble.
Q Are payday loans ever a good idea?
A Very rarely. The short-term relief is almost always outweighed by the damage they do to your credit file for years afterwards. There are cheaper alternatives — see the article.
Q How long should I wait to reapply after being declined?
A 30 to 90 days is the usual advice — enough time to fix what caused the decline and let the hard search settle down.
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