When doing research for a loan make sure you don’t actually apply for several loans at one time. This is because, if you make several full scale applications, these will leave a credit search record on your credit file. Multiple applications often indicate multiple refusals, so new lenders looking at these records will probably assume that other lenders have turned you down and may follow suit.

Therefore the best policy is to look for loan agreements in principle without allowing a full credit search, and only make one real application when you have decided which is best for you. If you are ever refused credit, don’t apply again until you have found out why this has happened. Now is the time to check your credit record. You should ask the lender why they have turned you down. Lenders are not legally obliged to tell applicants why they have been turned down but most will.

What lenders look out for. Lenders need to know you can handle credit therefore if you have never borrowed money before you may not be offered the best rate. You may believe you are a worthy customer deserving of the best loan but you can’t seem to get it simply because you have no track record.

Once you have shown that you can manage your money responsibly - perhaps with a credit card with a low spending limit and a mobile phone account that you have kept in order, you then start to be in line for the best offers.

It’s important not to be overstretched when looking for a new loan (and maybe more important not to appear to be overstretched!). Lenders will always look at your credit record to see what you have outstanding in loans, mortgages etc and they immediately see how you are handling your current payments. If you have idle credit cards then it’s a good idea to close those accounts as lenders may get nervous about your spending suddenly getting out of hand if you have instant easy access to more money.

Always explain any deficiencies in your credit file. If you have negative entries in your credit file and maybe are having a bad patch financially then it might be better to take some good advice rather than just go out and borrow more money. Missed repayments on your file will remain there for 3 years whilst any bankruptcies, Court Judgements or IVAs will always stay on record for at least 6 years.

If your problems were due to special circumstances then explain why - for example, if you suffered an illness that affected your income you can simply add a note to your credit report. Most Lenders may take this into account when considering you.

If you are having trouble getting a loan make sure you stay away from companies who say they can repair your credit record. Unless a serious mistake has been made on your file this is not possible and if a serious mistake has been made then you can easily repair this yourself. Never fall into the trap of paying for credit repair or debt advice which means rescheduling debts.

If you struggle getting credit, the first step is to review your spending and if you are having problems with your debts then get advice from a debt counselling service .

One very simple and quick way to improve your credit rating is to register on the electoral roll if you aren’t on it already. Credit reference agency Experian tells us that lenders use the electoral roll as a precaution against fraud, to help check that you are who you say who you are and live where you claim to live. If you are registered at a different address to the one on the application form, or don’t appear on the electoral roll at all, they may ask for proof of residence or could simply turn you down.