New help for private tenants to access better finance

Private tenants are signing up to be among the first in the UK to strengthen their credit histories by paying rent on time.

A joint initiative between Experian and private tenants’ rent management company Credit Ladder will help people to get similar credit benefits to those enjoyed by homeowners paying off mortgages.

The scheme is free to participate in and will benefit tenants and landlords. Rental payment information will begin building people’s credit history from the point they sign up, before the data appears on Experian credit reports later in 2016.

Asa Bentley from Credit Ladder said:

“There are millions of private renters who pay their rent on time each month but don’t get the recognition they deserve on their credit report. We’re working with Experian to help private tenants, who are often working towards buying a home of their own, to build their credit histories so they are in the best possible to shape to get a mortgage.”

Tenants can make their regular rental payments through the Credit Ladder portal, and this will be passed on to landlords and letting agents, and then fed directly into Experian’s Rental Exchange. Tenants with a history of little or no credit can then build a more positive credit score and gain access to mainstream, cheaper credit.

Recent Experian research among almost 1,500 private renters showed three-quarters (76%) agreed they would like their rental payments to contribute to their credit report.

Experian’s Jonathan Westley said:

“We’re delighted to work with Credit Ladder to be able to offer private renters the opportunity to build their credit histories just by paying their rent. Our research shows there is an appetite among this group to be treated in the same way as mortgage holders and so we hope many more landlords and letting agents will sign up to the Rental Exchange in the future.”

For further information about the Rental Exchange or to get involved, please visit: experian.co.uk/rental-exchange