Information about the electoral roll can be found in the risk tab:

The electoral roll contributes to an applicant’s credit score. Furthermore, the electoral roll provides an additional level of surety in relation to the declared address. 

For applications where an identity check is not called, electoral roll information helps establish the borrower is at the declared address. When the identity check is called the electoral roll information refers to the applicant being on AN electoral roll and not necessarily the current address. 

Electoral roll information is provided by local authorities (councils) to the credit bureau. This information is provided on an annual or rolling basis. 

The electoral roll may be reported annually by each local authority to TransUnion, most likely in April. When the register is annual, data is uploaded only once every 12 months. 

It is possible that someone can register on the electoral roll, e.g. in September, but not appear on the bureau record until some months later (e.g. May). Equally an applicant could show as being on the electoral roll even if they have moved away from the address where they registered. This is because it would take time for the annual register to ‘catch up’ with the applicant’s latest registration.

On this basis the data quality for the annual electoral roll deteriorates over time. 

Where the register is rolling, data is uploaded more frequently – often monthly. On this basis the extent to which a Loans Assessor can rely on the information provided is enhanced, compared to the annual register. 

In the above case the applicant is registered at the current address based on the annual electoral roll. A date has been provided to show how long that residency has been confirmed using the electoral roll. 

In the above case the applicant is registered at the current address based on the rolling electoral roll. A date has been provided to show how long that residency has been confirmed using the electoral roll. 

In the above case the applicant was registered at the current address based on the annual electoral roll. A date has been provided to show when the applicant ceased to be on the roll. This does not mean that the applicant is no longer at the address. However such a response may require additional assessment to prove that the declared address is the most current. 

In the above case  the applicant cannot be found on the electoral roll at this address at any time in the past. This result will always be returned if a REF03 decision is provided when the applicant cannot be found at the bureau. If such a response is returned and the applicant is stating that they have been at the address for some time, additional assessment may be required to prove that the declared address is the most current. 

Next: Applicant demographics