Why not being on the Electoral Roll can cost you?

Find out why you should always be registered, even if you're not going to vote.

There will be a general election within the next few months. But even if you don't plan to use your vote it's important you're registered on the electoral roll for a number of other reasons, particularly if you want to borrow money.

If you want credit, lenders will check if you're on the electoral roll as part of the application process. This is to make sure you live where you say you live, protecting them from fraudulent applications. If you want to see if you are on the Electoral Roll you can check with an Electoral Roll Search

It's a simple check but failing it could very quickly end your chances of getting a credit card, loan or mortgage.

Electoral roll myths
Even if you've moved home within the same area, you will need to register yourself at your new address

So, even if you have no intention of voting, you should:

• Cancel any past registration to vote, especially if it goes back some years and several home moves.
• Contact your local council or go online www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and register your current address.
• Check that your new registration is shown on your credit report.

And if you do want to vote in the upcoming election, you should register now before it's too late.

Posted by on Mon, Apr 5, 2010

• Ryan - Tue, Jan 3, 2012

  Hi Melanie, You are correct, you can 'opt off' the electoral roll, if you chose to do this then currently the information will not be passed on to companies such as ourselves. Personally I do opt off so will not suggest that people should not. If someone has 'opted off' the electoral roll is does not stop us from locating them via our full People Finder service. If you do 'opt off' the electoral roll you can still vote and people can still go to the local council office and view the full register regardless of if you have chosen to opt off or not. Hope this helps and thank you for the feedback. Ryan - FinderMonkey