Boyfriend with unknown credit

[Kisskiss56]

My boyfriend and I have been together for a while now, and he was struggling financially for a while and had to work 2 jobs to make ends meet. Now he has 1 job, and pays enough. At one time in his life, he had a medical complication and they charged hima lot more than he anticipated, so the collectors had been calling him. He doesnt know what his credit score is now, and is slightly afraid to know what it is.

 

I dont want to feel like im being a snoop, but I feel like if I want to plan a lifelong future with this person, I would like to know hos credit score. Does anyone know of any places where you can check your credit, without it lowering your credit? Or any ways of building credit fast.

 

Im suddenly terrified that if his credit is horrible, we can never get a house.

[lana-banana]

Credit Karma is free. Also, many credit cards allow you to check your credit score free of charge.

 

The new credit reporting rules are supposed to treat medical debt differently, so he may end up on better footing over the next few years. As it is, it may not be as bad as you're fearing. Better to know now so going can start taking steps.

 

If he has delinquent or extremely large unpaid debts, he should start making arrangements with creditors. They will come up with plans based on his current income and all he has to do is pay the monthly balance. He should also make sure all of his credit cards are paid off to the penny every month, as that is the best way to build credit easily (and fastest way to tank credit scores).

 

If his credit score is truly bad, you may have to qualify on your own when buying a house. He can still make payments but you won't be able to qualify together. This could be for the best; you'll have to find a place within your means and make better budget decisions.

 

Seriously, Credit Karma takes all of five minutes to sign up and won't affect your credit. Take the plunge and keep us posted.

[Space Ritual]

Even if he has less than perfect credit, setting up a joint account between yourselves with him as an authorized user can also help towards beginning a rebuilding of credit. As long as the bills are paid on time, it will help eventually.

 

Of course the downside is if you two ever break up, then of course dealing with closing that account can be a pain n the ass...

 

I do not think it snoopy to want to go into a long term relationship with eyes wide open. That is a huge step. So what you suggest is one of the things that people actually SHOULD consider. Many breakups have gone really really off the rails due to financial burdens incurred unbeknownst to one party or the other, simply because they were so in love at one time that they threw caution to the wind.

[d0nnivain]

You say you have been together "a while". How long is that exactly?

 

If you two aren't seriously talking about getting married, personally I'd table this conversation about his credit score & credit worthiness. Do not request this info behind his back. I can't imagine that you could get the access you want without his authorization but while I can encourage somebody to get past a partner who snooped in a phone, you would be bordering on identity theft. Talk about untrustworthy.

 

Even if his credit is garbage he can work to improve it & if yours is strong enough you may be able to qualify for a mortgage without him

[Tribble]

Even if he has less than perfect credit, setting up a joint account between yourselves with him as an authorized user can also help towards beginning a rebuilding of credit. As long as the bills are paid on time, it will help eventually.

 

This will indeed help his credit, however, it could compromise your own. I imagine it will depend where you live, but I read that here in the UK, linking yourself to someone with bad credit in this way can bring your own credit score down.

 

I think you're being sensible. Financial worries cause a lot of stress in relationships so it's good to know what you're getting into. However, I would discuss it with him. Definitely do NOT snoop on his credit score without his knowledge. I understand him not wanting to know. Presumably, it doesn't really matter at this point so long as he is actively working to improve it. But once you talk to him and explain why you think he should know, he might be more willing to take a look.

 

As long as he is sensible, it can only get better. Things like credit cards (and paying them off on time, fully, ever month) are easy ways to build credit. Even if he has bad credit, it doesn't mean you'll never be able to get a house. My friends bf had bad credit and they managed to find a bank that would give them a mortgage. Not the best deal in the world but they still managed to buy, and they've just been approved for a loan for home improvements too.

[sickubus]

You can totally get a house, just put it under your name and don't get married.

 

I learned from my first and only marriage that you have to get yourself right, and that's about the only thing you can rely on. If he comes in and helps out, then you're better off. If he disappears, or spends all his own money, you'll still be fine.

 

If I were you, I would figure out a way that you can sustain that on your own. And then if he tags along and you benefit from it, great.

 

 

Also... you can just google the credit report sites, there's like 100 of them.