No Credit Check Broadband

27th Aug 2024

If you have poor credit or no credit history, this can make getting a broadband connection into your new property difficult.  Most broadband providers will run a credit check before allowing you to sign up for a contract and delivering the router to you. Fortunately, there are options out there for getting broadband without having to pass a credit check. They might not be suitable for everyone though, so it’s important to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages if you’re considering a new broadband provider at home.

What is No Credit Check Broadband?

No credit check broadband is a form of broadband contract that doesn't require passing a credit check to get involved. Broadband companies usually carry out credit checks to make sure that customers can reliably pay their bills, and aren’t already struggling to make payments. Without a credit history, providers may worry about a customer's ability to pay regularly. However, no credit check broadband contracts skip this step, allowing customers with poor credit, or no credit record, to get broadband at home.

Why Might Someone Have No or Poor Credit?

There are various reasons someone might not have a good credit score, including:

• Recently arrived in the UK from overseas, or with a history of moving address often
• Missed payments on previous loans, or a bankruptcy
• Lack of history – no track record with having credit cards, phone contracts or utility bills
• Travel abroad for extended periods
• Never having lived independently away from the family home

Advantages and Disadvantages of No Credit Check Broadband

These packages make getting internet connection at home possible for people with poor credit scores, or no credit history. The plans are generally simple, cutting out any unwanted extras and are usually sold on a 30-day rolling basis, making cancelling easy too. However, there is a limited choice of companies offering these packages, and it’s usually impossible to create a “bundle” with TV, landline and broadband all in one. This means that if you have a decent credit rating, it might be cheaper in the long run to sign up with a standard provider for a year’s contract. Some of the larger companies will let you assess whether or not you are likely to be accepted for a new broadband package before making a firm application. This is known as a soft search, and does not affect your credit score.

Building a Credit Score for A Better Deal

Getting one of these basic broadband packages is a good first step in increasing a damaged credit score, or building one from scratch with no history. There are lots of guides online which will give advice about the best steps to take. Make sure you are listed on the electoral register at your home address, and get your finances organised so that you are not missing payments or racking up debt you can’t afford to pay back. Building a credit score is all about showing a lender that you can be trusted to pay back what you owe, in full, when it’s due.