How to Read Your Credit Report: What Each Section Means

A credit report is a comprehensive record of an individual's financial history, compiled by credit reference agencies (CRAs) from data supplied by lenders, courts, local councils, and other bodies. In the UK, the credit report serves as the primary data source for lending decisions, tenant vetting, and identity verification.

Despite its importance, the report itself is often dense with codes and terminology that can be difficult to interpret. Understanding how to read the report — identifying what is normal, what is problematic, and what is erroneous — is the first step in managing financial health.

This guide breaks down the standard sections of a UK credit report (based on the structure used by Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), explains the terminology, and highlights what lenders are looking for in each section.

• Public Records: The most damaging section. Contains CCJs, bankruptcies, and IVAs. Clean files should show "No public records."
• Account History: The detailed list of loans and cards. Look for Status 0 (OK). Avoid Status 1-6 (arrears) and Default.
• Search History: A record of who has looked at the file. Hard searches (application checks) are visible to lenders; soft searches (identity checks/quotations) are not.
• Linked Data: Financial associations (joint accounts) and address links. Ensure these are accurate and up to date.

The credit report is broken down into distinct logical sections. While the layout varies between agencies (and third-party apps like ClearScore or Credit Karma), the underlying data structure remains consistent.

1. Personal Information

This section confirms identity.

• Name & Date of Birth: Used for matching.
• Current Address: The primary link for the file.
• Electoral Roll Status: Confirming registration at the current address. This is a crucial trust signal for lenders.

2. Financial Account Information (The "CPA" Data)

Credit Payment Algorithm data. This is the history of credit agreements (mortgages, loans, credit cards, overdrafts, mobile contracts, utilities).

• Account Status: Open / Settled / Defaulted.
• Balance: Current outstanding amount.
• Payment History: A month-by-month grid showing payment status.
  • 0: Paid on time.
  • 1-6: Number of months in arrears.
  • D / Default: Account defaulted.
  • U: Unclassified (usually new accounts).
  • ? or Q: Account under query.

3. Public Information

Data sourced from the courts and the Insolvency Service.

• CCJs: County Court Judgments. Shows the court name, case number, amount, and date.
• Insolvency: Bankruptcy orders, Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), and Debt Relief Orders (DROs).

4. Search History

• Hard Searches: "Credit Application." Visible to other lenders for 12 months (typically). Too many in a short time implies desperation/risk.
• Soft Searches: "Enquiry" or "Quotation." Invisible to other lenders. Used for ID checks, insurance quotes, and checking your own file.

5. Financial Associations

people with whom you have a financial link (e.g., a joint account). Their credit history can affect yours.

6. Linked Addresses

Previous addresses you have lived at. Lenders check the history across these addresses.

• Retention Period: Most adverse data (defaults, CCJs, missed payments) stays on the report for 6 years.
• Settled vs. Satisfied:
  • Settled: An account paid in full and closed normally.
  • Satisfied: A CCJ or Default that has been paid. It remains on the file but is marked as paid.
• Notice of Correction: A short statement (up to 200 words) you can add to explain an entry. If present, it will appear in a dedicated section or attached to the relevant item.
• CIFAS: If you have a fraud marker (either as a victim or perpetrator), it may appear in a dedicated section (e.g., "Protective Registration") or be hidden (in the case of some fraud markers that are only revealed via a Subject Access Request).

"Where is my credit score?"

Your statutory credit report contains the data, not the score. The score is a separate product generated by the CRA. Lenders see the data, not the consumer-facing score.

"Why isn't my rent shown?"

Rental payments do not automatically appear on repayment history. They only appear if you have signed up for a specific rent-reporting scheme (like Rental Exchange) or if your landlord reports to the CRAs.

"I paid the default, why is it still there?"

Paying a default updates the balance to £0 and marks it as "Satisfied," but the entry itself remains for the full 6-year term. It serves as historical evidence of the breach of contract.

"Suppressed" Data

Victims of specific crimes or those at risk of violence can apply to have their address suppressed from the public electoral register (anonymous registration). This affects how the electoral roll section appears.

Mis-traced Data

Sometimes, data belonging to a person with a similar name at the same address (e.g., a father and son) can be merged. This is a "mis-trace." Check the report carefully for accounts that do not belong to you.

Reading your credit report is a health check.

1. Check for accuracy: Ensure all "Open" accounts are actually yours and active.
2. Check for old links: Look at Financial Associations. are you still linked to an ex-partner? If so, disassociate.
3. Check for search spikes: Unrecognised hard searches are often the first sign of identity fraud.
4. Verify the Electoral Roll: Ensure it shows "Confirmed" at your current address.

• Structure: Personal info, Accounts, Public Records, Searches, Links.
• Codes: Status 0 is the goal. Status 8/D is a default.
• Searches: distinguish between Hard (visible/impactful) and Soft (private/harmless).
• Accuracy: Verify every line. Dispute errors immediately.
• History: Be aware of the 6-year retention rule for negative data.