Those eligible to vote, but not registered at their current address, are being urged to register or risk being denied credit, by credit reference agency Experian. Councils are currently conducting annual canvasses to ensure electoral registers are up to date and residents have until 10th October to ensure their details are correct to meet the annual deadline.
Between August and November, electoral registration forms are delivered to all households in the United Kingdom. These forms should be returned detailing everyone who lives at your address and is eligible to register, which will include those who will reach their 18th birthday in the following 12 months. Local councils publish their registers on 1st December each year and update them on a monthly basis
"Some organisations will refuse to give you credit or other financial services if your credit report shows that you are not registered to vote at your current address. This is because they use this information to help check that your name and address is correct," said Jill Stevens, Director of Consumer Affairs at Experian.
"If your application is refused because your name doesn’t appear on the electoral register, explain that you have just moved. You can also offer other proof that you live at the new address. Organisations will usually accept a council tax bill; gas, electricity, phone or water bill; tenancy agreement; mortgage details; or your driving licence.
"If you are not eligible to vote, it is possible to add a note, called a notice of correction, to your report explaining that you cannot register on the electoral register because you are not eligible to vote in UK or EU elections. You can also say you have documents to prove where you live and how long you have lived there. Then, when you apply for financial services in the future, any organisation looking at your report will see this note and hopefully take it into account.
"If you move, it’s important to tell your local council straight away to make sure your name and new address is added to the electoral register as soon as possible. If you have moved recently, always give your previous address when you apply for financial services."
