The Rental Exchange is a database and system set up by a new partnership between Experian and Big Issue Invest, the social investment arm of the Big Issue Group.
The Exchange was set up to address the valid concerns of both lenders and potential buyers currently occupying property as tenants. The concern was that tenants potentially faced financial, digital and even social exclusion which might disadvantage them when it came time for them to try and get on the housing ladder.
The Exchange is primarily a database which aims to better record and score a tenant applying for a mortgage. It does this buy tracking a tenant’s rent payment record and thereby allows Experian to put a ‘score’ on the tenant’s rental past. This can be used by lenders or other creditors when they are assessing an applicant’s suitability for a new loan or supply account.
As a tenant, having additional information on your credit file can make it quicker and easier to:
- Open a new bank account
- Get a new credit card
- Have a loan application approved
- Shop online
- Arrange a better utilities tariff, or qualify to pay for gas/electricity via a non-prepay tariff
- Receive better mobile phone rates
- Apply for a mortgage
If you are a tenant and would like to register with The Rental Exchange simply follow one of the following procedures;
- If you are a council or social housing tenant, ask your landlord to report your rental payment data into the Rental Exchange.
- If you are a private tenant, and your landlord or managing agent has more than 100 properties ask them to report your rental payment data into the Rental Exchange.
- If your landlord owns fewer than 100 properties and cannot transfer data directly into the Rental Exchange, you can sign-up (at no cost) and schedule payments to your landlord via the Credit Ladder platform, the information is then shared into the Rental Exchange. Click here for more details.
If you are a tenant and you pay your rent regularly and reliably why not take advantage of the Rental Exchange by Experian? For more details click here.
Download our Free First Time Buyers Guide
Recent posts
With the stamp duty relief ending in England and Northern Ireland, we have listed the top 10 cheapest areas for first-time buyers as published by Rightmove.
Are you looking to purchase your first home but unsure where to begin? Here are some tips to get you started.
Choosing which fixed rate to go for has been a dilemma for many of our clients so far this year. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer, but below we will look into the pros and cons of a two-year and five-year to help you make the right decision for you.
Best UK Mortgage Rates this Week
14 days ago
Here are the lowest fixed mortgage rates of the week, available to first-time buyers, home movers, buy-to-let, and those remortgaging.
Call us for more information: 01628 507477 or email: team@mortgagerequired.com.
Stamp Duty Rush as Deadline Looms
15 days ago
According to Rightmove, a whopping 500,000 UK homebuyers are rushing to finalise their home purchase before the new Stamp Duty rules change in April.
The UK government is introducing new rules for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) that will impact landlords. Here's a summary of the key changes
Should I buy or rent in 2025?
22 days ago
Choosing to buy a house is one of the biggest decisions you are likely to make in your lifetime. There are many factors that influence a house purchase, these include: finances, housing market conditions, and mortgage rates.
ISAs: what are they, and which one is for me
25 days ago
Since being launched back in 1999 Individual Saving Accounts (ISAs) have been very popular for those wanting to put money into savings. There are four types of ISA, and the majority allow flexible saving and the ability to withdraw funds easily. There are financial penalties on certain products, these usually pay the most interest.
More information
Trusted by
