Building son's credit file - how

[ThatsJustTheWayThatIFeel]

Hi everyone, I hope this is the right place to ask this.

DS is 21 this year and we're trying to help him build his credit record.

Someone suggested changing his old mobile phone account into his name (done) and also the Netflix/Prime etc accounts (not yet done).
Does anyone know if the above is correct? If so, would the payments also need to come from his account or can they just be in his name?

I'd appreciate any other ideas! TIA

If he signs up to something like Clearscore they give advice.

My ds got a credit card for this. He uses it mostly just to buy petrol and then has a direct debit set up to pay it off each month.

Thanks @DaughterNo2 - I'll mention Clearscore to him and see what they suggest.

@Snozzlemaid does your ds work? Mine currently doesn't so I'm assuming he won't get one because of this (although he does have money coming from us each month).

It literally adds info to help you build your score. Can add a bank account. Make sure he’s on the electoral roll etc.

Ah, yes he does.
Not sure if you can build up too good a credit score if you don't have a regular income? But I may stand corrected on this if someone more knowledgeable states differently.

Maybe a credit card but only use it for one transaction a month and clear the balance in full every month?

I don't think Netflix and Prime report to the credit agencies because they aren't a debt. With the phone contract again that only counts if it's a debt i.e. it's paying off the cost of the handset. A sim-only contract won't build your credit score. Best thing is to get a credit card and use and pay it off every month.

Does he live with you? Can you add his name to your gas/electricity account? Or make sure that he's listed where he is living, if he's not? Presume he's on the electoral roll.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 'score'. Banks considering whether to give him a loan will do their own calculations.

Netflix and Prime don't report to credit agencies so there's no point doing that.
Phone bill is fine providing it's a contract and not just SIM only.
Make sure he's on the electoral role and a 0% credit card that he pays off in full each month are the easiest ways to build a credit history.

Ignore the score.. it's meaningless, arbitrary and nobody sees it other than you. Lenders reconcile your credit history against their internal criteria, nobody uses the score.

He needs:

1. Current account in his own name with an overdraft facility, but that he doesn't actually use,
2. Credit card with the same bank for occasional use paid off fully in month via a direct debit from his current account,
3. Mobile phone contract in his own name - you can get them as little as a fiver per month for calls/internet/texts only - no need to actually "buy" a phone,
4. Registered on electoral roll at the same address as all 3 of the above.