How to get a copy of your credit report for free
Staying on top of the content in your credit report is something all Canadians should be mindful of, but many don't know that your report can be requested and accessed without a fee.
Before applying for a mortgage, one of the steps you should take to prepare is checking your personal credit report. Lenders are placing more significance than ever on borrowers' credit, so keeping your credit history as clean as possible is very important. Although two major credit reporting firms in Canada, Equifax and TransUnion, offer this service immediately online for a fee, most Canadians don't know the service can also be obtained free of charge.
This article from the Globe and Mail gives easy step-by-step instructions, the forms you will need and/or numbers you can call to obtain your credit report for free.
Once you access your report, review it carefully for potential errors. Things like spelling mistakes, incorrect addresses and credit products you have long since cancelled can all be fixed by contacting the credit reporting firm. These errors may seem small, but can have a significant impact when you apply for a mortgage, so it's worth considering fixing them sooner rather than later.