Obtaining someone's credit rating

[LoungeLizard]

How can I, as a private individual, get someone's credit rating before going into business with them?

I don't mind paying a fee which will, no doubt, be necessary.

[hectic]

You cannot get their credit rating yourself, they would have to obtain a credit report and give it to you. Its only banks, loan companies etc that are authorised to do these checks. Ask your friend to get a report done with Equifax (they are the best) It costs approx �10.

http://www.equifax.co.uk

[Oneeyedvic]

No you can't (at least legally).

The only thing I can suggest is that you ask them to get their own credit reports from experian and equifax for �2.00 and look at it.

[Oneeyedvic]

A credit rating is actually made up of a lot of things, some of which you may already know.

For example does he own his own house? You can get this information from landregistry Is he on voters role (this may not be so neccessary for you to know as you know he lives there already). I believe that iut may be possible for you to check to see if he has any county court judgements but I'm not sure where to start looking (try your local library perhaps).

In response to Hectic's answer, I personally would suggest using both agencies as they both can carry different information. There is an on line search available for �10.00 but the statutory information (which is pretty much the same info but not as pretty) only cost �2.00