Credit scores might not be one of the most exciting subjects in the world, but they have a habit of creeping into some of the biggest decisions we make. Whether you’re looking to move into your first home, borrow a bit of money, or even finance a car- for better or worse your credit history is one of the first things that will likely be considered. That can feel really daunting, especially if your score is not where you would like it to be, or if you’ve been turned down by lenders in the past.
The good news is that improving a credit score doesn’t always require any financially wizardry or complicated strategies. In fact, in 2025 it’s often the mundane, everyday behaviour that makes the real difference. Paying household bills on time, staying on top of council tax, or even managing subscription payments reliably all play their part. Lenders and service providers are not only looking at how much you borrow, but also at the way you handle the commitments you already have. A pattern of consistency is such a strong signal of trust, and that trust is ultimately what credit scores are designed to measure.
If you’ve ever felt confused about why your score isn’t great, or you simply want clarity on what makes a difference, you’ve definitely stumbled on the right article! Below we’ll get stuck into how ordinary spending can influence your credit profile, and what you can do to make those everyday actions count in your favour.
Everyday Bills That Count More Than You Think
One of the easiest ways to start nudging your credit score upwards is by getting the basics right with your household bills. These might not feel very glamorous, but they matter because they show consistency: and consistency is exactly what lenders want to see.
Take council tax, for example. It’s a priority bill, and missing payments can very quickly escalate into bigger problems. Even if it doesn’t show directly on your credit file in the same way a missed loan payment would, arrears are often flagged when lenders assess affordability. Staying on top of it every month signals stability.
Then there’s those common utilities like gas, electricity, and water. Ofgem reported last year that over three million UK households were in some form of arrears on energy bills. That’s a huge number, and it underlines why providers, and in turn credit assessors, pay attention to whether you are keeping up with those obligations. Paying them on time demonstrates reliability, and reliability is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your financial reputation.
Mobile phone contracts are another one to watch as well. Because they’re technically credit agreements, every payment you make feeds into your credit record. Missing a couple of months on your phone bill is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a mark that could weigh down your score for years.
Although it might be easy to overlook these ‘everyday’ bills, together they create a pattern of behaviour. If you are keeping them in order month after month, that pattern builds trust. And trust, when it comes to lenders or landlords, is exactly what helps open the door to better opportunities.
Rent & Subscription Payments
Rent is usually the single biggest expense for most households, and for years it made no contribution to someone’s credit history. That never felt quite right, or fair, especially when you consider the size and importance of the payment. Things have started to change though thankfully through services like Credit Ladder that allow private tenants to report their rent directly to the main credit reference agencies, meaning those monthly transfers can help build a stronger credit profile. For people in social housing, there’s also the Rental Exchange scheme, run with Big Issue Invest, which has been developed to give tenants the same opportunity to demonstrate reliability.
Subscriptions sit at the other end of the scale in terms of cost, but they still matter a lot when it comes to consistency. Payments for streaming services, gyms, or digital platforms can reflect positively if they are well managed. Keeping them on direct debit is a sensible option, as it reduces the chance of forgetting and missing a payment.
The pitfall to avoid here is letting old or unwanted subscriptions linger. Not only does this eat away at your budget, it also creates extra chances for something to go wrong. A missed £10 payment may not sound like much, but if it is tied to credit, it can leave a mark that takes time to repair. Reviewing your subscriptions once or twice a year is a small step that can save money and protect your financial record at the same time.
Everyday Credit Tools That Can Help
While rent and subscriptions are a good starting point, there’s also specific credit products designed to help people build up a stronger profile. Used sensibly, these can give your score an extra boost without requiring large amounts of borrowing.
One of the most popular options is a credit-builder card. These usually come with higher interest rates and lower limits, but that shouldn’t be a massive problem if they are used carefully. Putting small, regular expenses on the card and then paying it off in full each month shows you can handle credit responsibly. The key is to treat it as a tool for building a record rather than as extra spending money.
Retail or store cards can serve a similar purpose, but they require even more discipline! The temptation to overspend is greater, and the interest rates are often steep. If you do use one, keep purchases small and always pay off the balance as soon as you can.
There’s also the growing role of Buy Now Pay Later services. Some of these providers are beginning to share data with credit reference agencies, which means the way you use them could affect your record. That makes it important to only use these services if you know you can keep on top of the installments.
These tools are not essential for everyone, but when used carefully they can demonstrate that you are capable of handling different types of credit. Combined with consistent rent, bills and subscriptions, they can create a broader picture of financial reliability.
Can Car Finance Help Me Build My Credit Score?
If you’re already keeping on top of bills, rent, and smaller credit commitments, you might wonder whether other types of finance can also help your score. Car finance is one of the more common examples, since for many people a vehicle is essential and spreading the cost is often the only realistic option versus paying outright. What sometimes gets overlooked is that the way you manage that agreement can influence how lenders view you in the future.
Car finance is reported much like any other form of credit. Each payment you make on time is recorded, and over the length of the agreement those entries build up into a pattern. Lenders like to see that pattern because it shows you can manage a medium-term commitment with discipline. A missed or late payment, on the other hand, weighs heavily, so the real benefit only comes if the repayments are kept up without interruption.
The other crucial factor is affordability. It is not about opting for the newest or most expensive car, but about choosing a finance deal that fits comfortably alongside your existing commitments. As bad credit car finance experts ChooseMyCar.com explain: “Car finance can be a powerful way to show lenders that someone is reliable with money, but only if the repayments are manageable. The most important step is to make sure the monthly figure is sustainable- that is what turns car finance into a positive mark on a person’s credit record.”
Keep Your Credit Utilisation in Check
Alongside repayment history, one of the strongest signals lenders look at is how much of your available credit you are using. This is known as credit utilisation, and it can make a noticeable difference to your score. For example, if you have a credit card with a £1,000 limit and you are consistently carrying a balance of £900, lenders see that as high risk, even if you pay it off regularly. By contrast, using a smaller portion of your available limit suggests that you are not overly reliant on credit to manage day-to-day expenses.
A good rule of thumb is to try to keep your utilisation below around 30% of your total limit. This doesn’t mean you should never spend more, but keeping your balance lower and clearing it quickly shows discipline. It also demonstrates that you are in control of your spending rather than stretching every available pound of credit.
For people working to improve their score, this is an area where small adjustments can go a long way. Spreading purchases across two cards, setting up an automatic payment to clear balances, or asking your provider for a modest increase in your credit limit (without changing your spending) can all help to reduce utilisation. None of these require major financial manoeuvres, but together they paint a stronger picture of how you manage credit.
Avoiding Lots of Credit Application
Finally, another area that often catches people out is the way new applications are handled. Every time you apply for credit, a search is recorded on your file. A single application here and there won’t cause much harm, but several in a short period sends the signal that you are desperate for credit, and that is something lenders do not look kindly on.
Being selective is far better than trying your luck with multiple applications. Before applying, check eligibility tools where possible, or research providers who are more likely to accept people in your circumstances. That way you reduce the chance of unnecessary searches. It is also worth spacing applications out. If you have recently taken out car finance or a new credit card, give it some time before applying for anything else, so your record has the chance to settle.
It is important to remember that your credit score is not shaped by one decision alone but by the overall pattern of your financial behaviour. Staying consistent across bills, rent, subscriptions, and everyday credit commitments, while being cautious about new applications, makes it much easier to build the kind of profile lenders trust. When all of these habits are working together, your credit score has a far better chance of improving steadily and sustainably.
