[gavnali]

I have been advised to take with us any credit references to make life easier on arrival. However, the utility companies are reluctant to give any references at all, Is it difficult to obtain services without them? Or is a bond the only requirements?

[mechidna]

I simply paid a bond to the power company, as well as Sky. I figured it was a small price to pay and would build up my credit in the country. I also bought a car and some whiteware on HP for the same reason. I figued if I'm starting over in a new country, I may as well start building some good credit.

Michele

[gavnali]

Thanks for your info

[jubjub]

We did not bring anything like that over, but did have to pay a bond to the electric as we were in rented accommodation, it was refunded as soon as we bought a house. We have had no problems getting a mortgage, credit card, bank accounts, phone, they seem to start a fresh rating for you.

[Billy]

Have a look at www.creditexpert.co.uk

You can get your full UK credit report as part of a 30 day free trial.

Cheers
Billy

[Timbo]

Thanks Billy. That would be very handy since my bank, Barclays, refuse to give me a letter for credit ref. purposes. They say they will reply to any written requests made by companies to them, but have been extremely unhelpfull.
I wouldnt mind if I hadnt banked with the same branch for 25 years.

[Moorf]

We didn't bring any credit reference material with us. And this hasn't proved a problem at all (although we haven't applied for "credit" except a small mortgage). The only thing we too had to do was to put down a returnable bond for our utilities. Even obtaining a credit card required no proof of credit etc - they simply sent us a form, we signed it, and hey presto - 2 cards with a $15k limit arrived a week later - no probs!!

Timbo - we've also been with Barclays for nearly 20 yrs, for both business and personal banking, and in the last couple of years they've become very officious and less customer friendly (imho). For instance, we enjoyed no charges for our business banking for years, and in the last couple of years they tried to apply charges to our business account - we threatened to withdraw our business and they let the matter drop - still, not nice to have to go through all that hassle wit them. If we hadn't left the UK, we would have changed banks.

[Timbo]

They have offended me to the point that I am bending over backwards to ensure that they, Barclays, can in no way benefit from the proceeds of the house sale.
Sorry, lets get back on topic. :o

[Do B Brief]

Yeah, we were advised the same but no-one would give a credit reference, and I even worked for the big bank!!! (yes - it's true, it is full of bankers!)

But this didn't stop us. Bonds and Direct Debit setup - we now have a $150K mortgage and we have only been here 10 weeks!!!!

Don't worry - be happy (well, I am trying to).

[real_sunfire]

Has anyone contact one of the main credit agencies to see if their credit records could be transferred to NZ? Experian and the other main agencies appear to be international companies.

Rgds.,
Nick.