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What is a soft credit check, and how does it differ from a hard check?

Depiction of soft and hard credit search
Emily Tye

Written byEmily Tye

Updated:Apr 28, 2026

4 min read

A soft credit check is a basic review of your credit file that does not affect your score and is invisible to other lenders. A hard credit check is a full review of your credit history that leaves a visible mark on your file and can temporarily lower your credit score. The difference comes down to purpose: exploring your options versus formally applying for credit.

What is a soft credit check?

A soft credit check is a top level look at your credit information. It does not leave a visible footprint on your credit file, so other lenders cannot see it has happened. Because soft checks are not linked to a formal credit application, they have no impact on your credit score. You can see soft checks on your own credit report, but they are invisible to any company searching your file.

What does a soft credit check show?

When a lender runs a soft check, they typically see a summary of your basic details: your name, address, and a general overview of your financial profile. Soft checks provide a limited view compared to a full application review. They are designed to give a lender enough information to assess whether you might qualify for a product, without accessing your full credit history.

What is a hard credit check?

A hard credit check is a full review of your credit report. It happens when you formally apply for credit, such as a credit card, loan, or mortgage. A hard check is recorded on your file and is visible to other lenders. If you make several credit applications in a short period, lenders can see this pattern of hard checks and may treat it as a sign of financial difficulty.

What does a hard credit check show?

A hard check gives a lender a detailed view of your financial history. This includes:

  • Your full payment history, including any late or missed payments

  • All your current and previous credit accounts

  • Your total level of debt and how much of your available credit you are using

  • Any County Court Judgments (CCJs) or defaults on your record

  • Anyone you are financially linked to, such as a joint account holder

How does each type of check affect my credit score?

Soft checks have no impact on your credit score. You can have any number of soft checks recorded on your file without it affecting how lenders see you.

Hard checks can temporarily lower your credit score. Each one is recorded on your file and visible to any lender that searches it. How long a hard search stays on your file depends on which credit reference agency holds your information. Experian and Equifax states that most hard searches remain on your credit report for 12 months, while TransUnion shows searches for up to 2 years.

Making several applications in a short window means multiple hard checks build up on your file. Lenders may take this as a sign you are relying heavily on credit, which can reduce your chances of being accepted.

If multiple hard checks have affected your score and you want to work on improving it, our guide on how to increase your credit score explains what steps can make a difference.

When does each type of check happen?

Knowing which type of check applies helps you decide when it's safe to explore your options and when to commit to a full application.

Soft checks typically happen when:

Hard checks typically happen when you formally apply for:

  • A credit card

  • A personal loan

  • A mortgage

  • A phone contract or some utility accounts

For more on how a formal application can affect your file, our guide on whether applying for a credit card affects your credit score covers this in detail.

You can also explore what pre-approved credit cards are and how eligibility checks work in that context.

FAQs

Does a soft credit check affect my credit score?

No. Soft checks have no impact on your credit score, regardless of how many are on your file. Because they are not linked to a formal credit application, they are invisible to other lenders and won't affect your chances of being accepted for credit.

How long does a hard credit check stay on my file?

It depends on which credit reference agency holds your information. Both Experian and Equifax state that most hard searches remain on your credit report for 12 months. TransUnion shows searches for up to 2 years.

Can a company do a soft credit check without my permission?

In some circumstances, yes. As the ICO explains, data protection law does not require organisations to have your consent before running a credit search, as long as they have a lawful basis for doing so and have told you it will happen. You will typically find this in the original terms and conditions. Hard checks work differently in practice: they only happen when you formally submit a credit application, so the check is tied directly to an action you have taken.

Is a rental credit check hard or soft?

Landlord and letting agent credit checks are typically a limited search rather than a full hard check. According to Equifax, landlords can confirm your name, address, and any CCJs or insolvency from public registers, but cannot access your credit agreements, limits, or repayment history. This type of check does not leave the same mark on your file as a hard check.

Can I have too many soft credit checks?

No. There is no limit on soft credit checks and they have no impact on your credit score, regardless of how many appear on your file. Because they are invisible to other lenders, they won't affect your chances of being accepted for credit.

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please speak to a qualified financial adviser before making financial decisions.

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