Dealing With Bad Credit
A poor credit history isn't permanent. Here's how to understand it, and how to move on.
CCJs & Defaults
IVAs & Bankruptcy
Rebuilding Your CreditMissed payments, defaults, court judgments and insolvency all leave a mark on your credit file. The good news is that almost none of it lasts for ever, and what you do from today counts for more with every month that passes. These guides explain what each mark means, how long it stays, and the steps that genuinely help.
The Six-Year Rule
How long the most common marks stay on a UK credit file.
- Late or missed payment
- Default
- CCJ
- CCJ paid within a month
- Debt relief order, IVA or bankruptcy
Lenders usually care most about the last year or two, so the effect of an old mark fades long before it disappears.
Struggling Right Now?
If you are behind with payments today, the most useful step is free, confidential advice before things go further. Our guide to free debt advice explains who can help and what they can do.