It can be useful to know what is on your credit file, especially if you have been refused credit or you think you have old debts you may have forgotten.

You can get copies of your records with Experian, Equifax and Call Credit for £2 each. Details of how to apply are on their websites.

All three credit reference agencies offer online subscription services, usually with a free trial period.

To check the information held about you by National Hunter Ltd and CIFAS , you will need to pay £10 each. Again, details of how to apply are on their websites.

Information stored on your credit file stays there for six years. Details of defaults or court action will also stay on your file for this time, even if the debt is paid off earlier.

Some companies offer a service claiming to be able to ‘repair’ your credit file for a fee. We advise you to avoid them because you can check your file and correct any errors yourself at little or no cost.

You can take some other simple steps to improve your own credit file:

• Ensure you are on the electoral roll
• Cancel any credit cards you no longer use
• If you apply for credit, ensure you use the same personal details each time

Experian publish a useful free site on improving your credit rating called UK Credit Repair.

Your credit file is attached to you as an individual, not your property or family. So if you have a poor credit history, this will not affect anyone else in your household.

The only exception to this is if you have a joint debt such as a mortgage or current account with someone else such as a partner. This creates a link between you so the credit file of one of you can affect the other.

If you have joint debts like this and you separate, you should write to the credit reference agencies asking them to add a ‘notice of disassociation’ to your files, stating that you are no longer linked.

If there is an error on your credit file, contact the credit reference agency to correct it.

If they do not agree to change it, you have a right to add an explanation to your credit file yourself. This is called a ‘notice of correction’ and will be visible to any creditor who checks your credit file.