Address History and Credit Checks: What Changing Address Does

When a person moves home in the UK, their change of address interacts with the credit reference system in ways that are not always obvious. Credit reference agencies (CRAs) maintain address history data as a core part of how they link individuals to their credit records. This article explains how that system works, what happens to address data when someone moves, how long records are kept, and where common misunderstandings arise.

This guide covers the mechanics of address history within the UK credit reference framework. It applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It does not constitute financial advice.

The three main UK credit reference agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — use address data to connect individuals to their credit records across different residences. These connections, known as address links, are created when a person:

1. Registers on the Electoral Roll at a new address.
2. Changes their address with a lender (e.g., bank, mobile provider).
3. Applies for credit using the new address.

Address links allow CRAs to retrieve credit data associated with multiple addresses, even if the individual has not disclosed all previous addresses on an application.

There is no single piece of legislation that governs address history on credit files in isolation. Instead, the system sits at the intersection of electoral registration law, consumer credit law, anti-money laundering regulations, and data protection law. Understanding how these overlap helps clarify what happens when an address changes.

Credit reference agencies build and maintain records of where individuals have lived by drawing on several sources of information. The two primary mechanisms through which address links are created are Electoral Roll registration and updates from lenders.

The Electoral Roll and Credit Files

There are two versions of the electoral register in the UK: the full register and the open (edited) register.

• The Full Register: Contains the details of all registered voters and has restricted use.
• The Open Register: Excludes individuals who have opted out and can be sold to anyone for any purpose.

CRAs are statutorily entitled to purchase copies of the full electoral register under Regulation 114 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001, with equivalent regulations applying in Scotland and Northern Ireland. CRAs use the full register — not the open register — for identity verification and fraud prevention. Individuals cannot have their details removed from the full register's availability to CRAs.

How Lenders Feed Information Back

When a person updates their address with a lender — for instance, a credit card provider or mortgage lender — the lender reports that change to one or more CRAs. This creates an address link between the old and new addresses on the credit file.

Credit Applications

When a person applies for credit, the application itself generates address data. Lenders are required under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) to carry out customer due diligence, which includes verifying the applicant's residential address.

The Financial Conduct Authority's Handbook (CONC 5.2A) also requires firms to undertake a reasonable assessment of creditworthiness before entering into a regulated credit agreement, and this assessment must be based on sufficient information obtained from the customer and, where necessary, from a CRA.

The Result

Through these channels, CRAs can trace an individual's address history and connect records held at different addresses to a single person. The source of each address link is recorded by the CRA.

Several rules and timeframes are relevant to how address history appears on and eventually leaves a credit file.

Statutory Credit Reports

Under Section 158 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, any consumer has the right to request a copy of their credit file. To do so, the consumer must provide:

• Full name.
• Any other names used in the last six years.
• Full current address.
• Any other addresses lived at in the last six years.
• Date of birth.

While the Act historically referenced a £2 fee, statutory credit reports are now provided free of charge under UK GDPR.

Data Disputes

If a person believes information on their credit file is inaccurate — including address data — they can raise a dispute. Under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (Section 159), consumers have the right to request correction of inaccurate data and to add a Notice of Correction.

• CRAs have 28 days to respond to data disputes.
• Lenders also have 28 days to disclose the name of the CRA used (Section 157).

Retention of Credit Account Data

• Closed Credit Accounts: Generally retained for six years from the closure date.
• Open Accounts: Remain on file indefinitely while active.
• Defaults: Remain for six years from the date the default was registered.
• County Court Judgments (CCJs): Remain for six years from the date of issue (removed if paid within one month).
• Undischarged Insolvencies: Remain until discharged, then for a further six years.
• Bankruptcy Restriction Orders: Can remain for up to 15 years.

Search Footprints

According to published CRA guidance:

• Hard Searches: Typically retained for one year (visible to lenders). Experian retains for an additional five years for profiling.
• TransUnion: Retains search footprints for two years.
• Debt Recovery Searches: Kept for two years, plus five years for profiling.

Electoral Roll Data Retention

Retention periods vary by CRA:

• Experian: Retains records while open/resident, and for up to 11 years after closure.
• Equifax: May retain records for up to 20 years (archives back to 1983).
• TransUnion: Typically displays the most recent unbroken stretch.

Address Link Retention

Published CRA documentation describes address links as being retained "as long as necessary and relevant" for identity verification and tracing purposes.

The Period of Address History Requested by Lenders

It is common practice for lenders to request two to three years of previous address history on credit applications.

• This is an industry convention rather than a statutory requirement.
• No provision of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, FCA Handbook, or MLR 2017 mandates a specific number of years.
• The period is driven by the design of identity verification systems rather than by regulation.

Time Taken for Electoral Roll Updates to Appear

Local authorities provide updates to CRAs. CRAs purchase full registers in December, supplemented by monthly updates.

• In most cases, it takes approximately four to six weeks for Electoral Roll changes to appear on a credit file.
• It can take longer during the annual canvass period.
• There is no statutory timeframe governing this speed.

The Role of the Electoral Roll in Credit Decisions

There is a common belief that being on the Electoral Roll directly affects credit scores.

• CRAs consistently state that Electoral Roll data is primarily used for identity and address verification.
• Any scoring impact is indirect (verification stability) and not publicly disclosed.
• No consistent position exists across agencies on whether registration is a direct scoring factor.

The Six-Year Retention Period

The standard six-year retention period is an industry standard recognised by the ICO as consistent with data-protection principles, rather than a period set by statute. It aligns with limitation periods for debt recovery.

Confusion Between Full and Open Registers

Some believe opting out of the open register removes their details from CRA access. This is not the case.

• Opting out of the open register prevents commercial sale (marketing).
• CRAs access the full register, from which you cannot opt out (unless registered anonymously).

Individuals Without a Fixed Address

Individuals without a permanent residence (or in temporary accommodation) may face difficulties with credit checks.

• Some can register on the Electoral Roll using a family member's address.
• Support is available through Citizens Advice to obtain credit report information.

Armed Forces Personnel

British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses are now recognised for credit checks (via special Royal Mail postcodes).

• However, some companies may still operate outdated systems that do not recognise these postcodes.

Anonymous Electoral Registration

Survivors of domestic violence (and others at risk) can register anonymously.

• Details are excluded from the full register copies supplied to CRAs.
• Only registration officers and elections staff can access this data (Representation of the People Act 1983).

Mis-traces and Erroneous Address Links

Address links can be created in error ("mis-trace").

• According to ICO guidance, this happens when a search traces a person with a similar name.
• Lenders are expected to make a "tentative" approach to verify identity before acting.

Cross-Border Credit History

Credit history does not transfer across national borders.

• A person moving to the UK will not have their overseas data on their UK file.
• UK data is retained for six years, so some history may remain upon return if the absence was short.

When a person changes address in the UK, the credit reference system responds through several channels:

1. Electoral Roll registration at the new address.
2. Updating lenders with the new address.
3. New credit applications.

These updates create address links that tie records together.

• Timing: Electoral Roll updates take weeks; lender updates vary.
• Persistence: Closed accounts remain for 6 years. Address links are retained indefinitely (as long as relevant).
• Rights: Consumers have statutory rights to access files and dispute inaccuracies (Consumer Credit Act 1974), including adding a Notice of Correction.

Data protection compliance (UK GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018) is overseen by the ICO.

• Address Links: Connect your credit history across homes. Created via Electoral Roll, lender updates, and applications.
• Electoral Roll: Used for ID verification. You cannot opt out of the full register (unless anonymous).
• Rights: You have statutory rights to free access and to dispute inaccuracies (response within 28 days).
• Retention: Closed accounts (6 years), defaults/CCJs (6 years). Address links (indefinite).
• Convention: The "3 years history" rule is industry convention, not law.
• Borders: Credit history does not transfer internationally.