Quick reference
| Information | How long it stays |
|---|---|
| Default (paid or unpaid) | 5 years from the date listed |
| Repayment history (on time or late payments) | 2 years |
| Credit enquiries (applications) | 5 years |
| Court judgments | 5 years |
| Financial hardship information | 12 months, and not used in your score |
Formal insolvency, such as bankruptcy or a debt agreement, also appears on your file and on the National Personal Insolvency Index, with its own time limits.
What happens when the time is up
The credit reporting body must remove the information once the retention period ends. If an old listing is still there, ask for it to be removed. That request is free.
Rebuilding in the meantime
- Pay every account on time, as positive repayment history now counts
- Keep credit card limits low and avoid unnecessary applications
- Pay or settle any outstanding defaults so they show as paid
- Check your report every three months for errors