Leading instant online credit information provider, Equifax, is warning consumers making applications for credit, mortgages and other finance to ensure that the address they are using is the same as that used by lenders and by local authorities.

It may seem an obvious point – but recent cases have highlighted that residents of converted houses and new builds may actually have problems with accessing credit, simply because there isn’t a consistent approach for their address.

“This is not a new problem” explained Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax – “but it’s one that can occur quite frequently where you are dealing with an existing address which is having one or more properties added to it.”

“For example, you may have a house that has been converted into flats with one front door, but there are actually 4 or 5 front doors behind it. And, unless the builder who made the conversion registers all the individual addresses with the local council, there is a strong chance that lenders may not be able to access the data for individuals living at each separate flat which, of course, could mean credit refusal.

“We continually encourage people to register on the Electoral Roll to ensure that lenders can verify their identity. But what they also need to do – especially if they live in converted house or a new build - is to ensure that their individual address is recognised by their local council. And if there’s any doubt about their address, they should make sure that they point this out to a lender when they make a new credit application.”

Equifax recommends that anyone planning to make a new credit application obtains a copy of their credit file so that they can see exactly how their address is shown. This is how it will be checked by lenders. And if they believe the address is not properly presented, they can ask the credit reference agency to take this up with the lenders and the local authorities.

The Equifax Credit Report, with the facility to access credit information for the first 30 days free, is accessible simply by logging onto www.equifax.co.uk. Designed to help individuals understand their credit file and see what lenders see to assess new credit applications, the Equifax Credit Report also includes expert tips and advice to help consumers take the right steps to manage their finances and navigate through life’s challenges.