GUIDES
Checkmyfile Explained -
Your Full Credit Picture in One Place
What is Checkmyfile?
Checkmyfile is a UK-based credit reporting service that combines data from the three main credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – into one single report.
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First Time Buyers Guides - Checkmyfile Explained
What’s On a Checkmyfile Report?
Your Checkmyfile report shows you – and any lender you share it with:
- Full details of all your credit accounts: credit cards, loans, mortgages, store finance, hire-purchase, even utility / phone-contract credit-type commitments.
- Payment history: on-time payments, late payments, arrears, defaults, missed payments, debt-management plans, settled or closed accounts – all flagged clearly.
- Public records: e.g. County Court Judgments (CCJs), bankruptcies, insolvencies or other legal‐public defaults – if they apply to you.
- Financial links / associations: if you share credit accounts with someone else (partner, ex, joint loan), those links show – which can matter for credit evaluation.
- Residence history / electoral-roll registration (where available) – helps confirm stability of address, which some lenders check when assessing risk.
- Up to six years of credit history – giving a good long-term view of your credit behaviour, not just a snapshot.
Basically – it gives you and lenders the broadest, clearest, most comprehensive view of what your credit record looks like in the UK
Why Checkmyfile Matters - Especially When You’re Applying for a Mortgage
Using Checkmyfile can make a real difference when applying for a mortgage, because:
- You (and your broker) can spot problems early – defaults, missed payments, identity issues, incorrect data, or linked accounts – and potentially fix them before That avoids nasty surprises during lender underwriting.
- It gives lenders a full multi-agency history – which often reduces risk of “different picture per agency”, giving more transparency and confidence in your application.
- You have time to prepare or improve your application – by clearing debt, paying off arrears, registering on electoral roll, checking address history – increasing your chances.
- It helps validate income & stability vs credit history – particularly useful if you’re self-employed, a contractor, or have non-standard income: lenders see both earnings and how you’ve managed debt in the past.
- It gives peace of mind to you and GoMortgage – knowing what lenders will see ensures we can advise you honestly: what’s realistic, what needs fixing, and which lenders may accept your profile.
In short – a Checkmyfile report helps de-risk your mortgage application and gives you a better shot, even if you have had credit issues in the past.
Access Your Credit Report
Knowing exactly what lenders see is the first step. Checkmyfile lets you view your full credit picture across all three UK agencies in one place, helping you spot issues, track progress, and avoid surprises before you apply.
What Checkmyfile Isn’t - And What It Doesn’t Guarantee
- The Checkmyfile credit score is not the same as a lender’s score. Many lenders use one of the main agencies directly (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) – and each has its own scoring model. A good Checkmyfile score doesn’t automatically guarantee approval.
- It’s a snapshot of historical and current credit data, not a guarantee of future lending. Lenders still assess income, affordability, deposit, property value, employment status, deposit / equity — all together with credit history.
- Negative items (defaults, CCJs, arrears) remain on credit files for years — and even if removed or corrected, lenders may treat recent history more cautiously.
- A report is only as good as its data — not all lenders report to all agencies, so sometimes some accounts may be missing, delayed, or inconsistent across reports. That’s why a multi-agency view helps, but is not foolproof.
How to Use Checkmyfile in Your Mortgage Prep - Smart Steps
- Get a report early – ideally before applying for a mortgage or even beginning serious house-hunting. Free trials exist (Checkmyfile offers a 30-day free trial), so there’s no excuse not to check.
- Review everything carefully – check for missed payments, defaults, wrong addresses, or unknown accounts. These are often the things that trip up lenders.
- Fix or flag errors – if you spot incorrect information (wrong address, someone else’s debt, closed accounts listed as open, etc.), start dispute/resolution before applying.
- Improve what you can – register on the electoral roll, reduce balances, ensure essential payments are up to date, avoid new credit applications for a while.
- Share report with your broker (GoMortgage) — so we can assess realistically which lenders may accept your profile, or whether remedial steps are needed.
Use as part of full application planning – combine credit history with income, deposit, deposit source, affordability, property-type, and overall financial health to pick the right mortgage deal.
GoMortgage + Checkmyfile = Smarter Mortgage Applications
At GoMortgage, we recommend all clients get a Checkmyfile report before applying – especially if:
- You’ve had late payments, defaults, CCJs or other credit issues.
- You’re self-employed, a contractor, or have non-standard income.
- You’re preparing for a first mortgage, remortgage, or need to show strong credit in a challenging case.
We then use it as a tool – not a guarantee – to guide lenders, structure the application properly, advise on remedial actions, and negotiate with confidence.
📞 If you’re considering a mortgage and want a free review of your Checkmyfile report + a realistic borrowing assessment — call GoMortgage on 01253 935050. Let’s make sure your credit file works for you, not against you.
Speak With A Mortgage Advisor today
Contact our friendly mortgage advice team today. Sound mortgage advice from the experts at GoMortgage.
Author: Chris Days - Gomortgage
- 5 Mins
- Updated: Nov 17th 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Does checking my credit report with Checkmyfile hurt my score?
No – checking your own report is a “soft search” and has no effect on your credit score. checkmyfile.com+1
If Checkmyfile shows I’m “high scorer,” will I automatically get a mortgage?
Not automatically. A strong credit-file helps a lot – but lenders also check income, deposit, affordability, employment, property value, and more.
What if I have old defaults or a CCJ on my report?
That complicates things, but doesn’t always rule you out. With a decent deposit, stable income, and honest disclosure, specialist or adverse-credit lenders (or certain mainstream ones) may still accept you.
Will all lenders use Checkmyfile when they assess me?
No – many lenders pull directly from one of the main credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax or TransUnion). Checkmyfile is for you – to preview what they might see.
How often should I check my file?
Regularly. Credit data changes over time (payments, account closures, reporting updates) – checking every few months helps you catch anything before applying.
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Speak With A Mortgage Advisor Today
Contact our friendly mortgage advice team. Sound mortgage advice from the experts at GoMortgage.
