Credit Rating

[slowe]

I have always had a good credit rating but my ex who I'm no longer with has run up some debt with banks, insurance companies and mobile phone bill. I still get letters from these companies even though i've told them he no longer lives with me. Will his bad debt affect my credit rating at all - does it go on the property or the person. I'm hoping someone can help me with this. Many Thanks.

[Loosehead]

Presumably you are openning the letters, this gives them the impression that he is still there and telling porkies. Send the letters back unopenned and write "Not Known at this address, please remove from your records".

The debt is associated with the address but in his name not yours. Shouldn't effect you.

[slowe]

No I don't open the letters - i know what the letters from his bank look like and the insurance letters have the name on the back of the envelope. I return them all - and don't accept the recorded delivery letters they try to send to him. Hopefully his debt won't affect me then - thanks for your reply.

[Loosehead]

You are doing the right thing. Eventually they'll leave you alone. If you can give them his new address then that'll get them off your back quicker.

[Oneeyedvic]

Get a copy of your credit file from www.experian.co.uk and www.equifax.co.uk and www.callcredit.co.uk

You need to find out if an 'association' has been made between you - this could be anything from a utility company (ie gas, electric etc) through to a joint bank account

If one of these exists, then you will be linked in a finanical viewpoint.

You can easily file a "notice of disassociation" and the link will be broken - so a lender will not take into account any of his dealings.

[slowe]

Thanks very much for the info - i will contact these people and find out if it has.

[slowe]

He is down as an associate as we still have a joint mortgage - will i still be able to disassociate from him - or do i need to wait until I have sold my house when the mortgage partnership will be disolved. Thanks to everyone for your help.

[Oneeyedvic]

You may not be able to disassociate now (soory can't remember - you should be able to ask the credit reference agencies for advice) - Even if you can't, you can put a "Notice of Correction" on your file stating thatyou are splitting with your ex and you don't wish to be financially linked etc etc. Finance companies will se this note everytime they do a credit search.