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
Leaseholders to be given extra protection
6 days ago
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced a new measure to protect leaseholders in England and Wales from high fees and poorly regulated property management companies.
Saturday 26th September, Andy Burnham announced a new equity loan scheme called “Your First Home”. The scheme, which will be confirmed at next month’s budget, is aimed at first-time buyers looking to purchase a new-build property from a developer signed up to the scheme.
What Happens to My Mortgage if I Lose My Job?
11 days ago
Losing your job or finding yourself ‘between jobs’ is, unsurprisingly, a stressful place to be. Keeping a cool head and taking action is important.
Best UK Mortgage Rates this Week
13 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.
Flats 40% cheaper to buy than houses
18 days ago
This price gap between the cost of houses and flats is the biggest it has ever been. Houses are now costing 1.7 times more than a flat, which is 0.4 times higher than 10 years ago
Take a look at our list of houses vs. flats per area.
Are mortgage rates set to increase?
27 days ago
We have seen several lenders increase their mortgage rates over the last couple of weeks. This suggests mortgage rates are likely to rise.
Although nothing is set in stone, lender repricing, rising swap rates, and continued economic uncertainty suggest borrowers should prepare for higher mortgage costs.
AI-altered images put off over half of buyers
24 Aug 2026
According to data from House Buyer Bureau, where over 900 UK homebuyers were surveyed, 54% of people said that they immediately ruled out digitally enhanced property listings.
April Mortgages offer 7x Income Mortgage
13 Aug 2026
April Mortgages - only accessed via a mortgage broker - offers first-time buyers, renters, and home-movers the option to borrow up to 7 times their income on its longer-term mortgages.
More information
Trusted by
