Why can’t I sign up with my hotel/hospital accommodation, university halls, or barrack address?

These types of address are known as ‘large user addresses’ and can cause issues when trying to locate your information with the credit reference agencies.  

The agencies will likely load the parent house name rather than searching for flat locations or room numbers within places such as hotels, hospitals, universities, or barracks.  

There will probably be limited information available based on just the parent house name. And, depending on the address type, there may also be data protection regulations in place to stop key information being returned during a credit search.  

Address types like this may be used by thousands of people and, if permitted as a valid address for credit checks, could increase the chances of personal data being released in error. Room numbers within barracks and hotels are not typically compatible with the address formats used by the agencies. So if any information is returned, it’s usually very limited.  

If you’re looking to build up your credit report, registering on the Electoral Roll at a single residential address should make sure that the information on your credit report can be located more easily when a credit search is made using your details.