Whatever the financial hardship you’ve had, you should still be able to access essential services. So if you’re concerned that your credit history might stop you from getting a new broadband deal, there’s no need to worry. We outline which providers don’t require credit checks, and other ways to get broadband with a bad credit score.

What is no credit check broadband?

When a credit check is performed, a company looks at your credit report to see your financial history to determine whether they’ll lend to you. No credit check broadband is a broadband service that doesn’t require this to sign up.

How hard are the credit checks from broadband providers?

Not all credit checks are the same. The credit checks that you experience for financial services such as for mortgages and loans are much more strict than for broadband. Broadband checks are more similar to the ones you need for a new mobile phone contract.

Which internet providers offer broadband for bad credit?

Some internet providers offer home internet deals without a credit check at all, such as:
Plusnet no credit check broadband
NOW Broadband deals with no credit check
Direct Save Telecom broadband without a credit check
Instead of a credit check, it requires you have an active payment method on your bank account. This is simply the ability to pay with a direct debit or regular card payment on the account that you sign up with.

Will other providers still accept me if I have bad credit?

Other providers typically do run credit checks on their potential customers. However, don’t let this put you off. A bad credit score won’t necessarily stop you from signing up. Some providers will ask for a deposit as a security measure, or will work with customers on a case-by-case basis to explore alternative agreements.

Other ways to get Wi-Fi with no credit check:

Pay-as-you-go mobile broadband
You can use mobile data as a type of Wi-Fi. Some mobile network operators offer mobile internet dongles on a pay-as-you-go basis to help you get online.

Choose a rolling contract

Some broadband providers offer rolling monthly contracts instead of longer contracts. However, be aware that the costs may be higher.

I’m on Universal Credit, will this affect me getting broadband?
Social broadband tariffs do exist and are much cheaper than standard tariffs. Providers now have the ability to confirm which customers are eligible for social tariffs, taking the onus off the customer to prove their own eligibility. If you think you may be eligible, it’d be a good idea to contact the provider to see if they can lower your costs.

Max Beckett, broadband expert at Uswitch.com says:

“Credit checks can be a serious concern for those that have either struggled with finances in the past or for those who simply do not have much of a credit history. So it’s understandable that people might feel worried that this will prevent them from getting the best value broadband deals available.

“It’s important to highlight that access to the internet is now considered an essential service, which means broadband providers usually offer different ways of getting you connected, despite what your credit history may be. But for those who simply do not want any check, providers such as Plusnet, NOW, and Direct Save Telecom have checkless deals available.

“Don’t let your financial past prevent you from getting connected, and if you’re concerned about it, it’s worth speaking to providers directly to work out the best way to get signed-up. Uswitch offers a range of cheap broadband deals on its site, so be sure to run a comparison to see what’s available to you.”