When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will almost certainly pull your credit information report. It is the document a licensed credit bureau produces from data submitted by lenders and other credit providers, showing what you owe, to whom, and how you have repaid.
A typical report lists identifying details, open and closed accounts, credit limits and balances, payment history including late or missed payments, accounts in default or written off, guarantees you have given, and recent enquiries by lenders. Many reports carry a credit score, a number summarising the bureau’s estimate of how likely you are to fall behind. Under the Credit Reporting Act a lender needs your written consent before requesting your report.
You are entitled to one free report a year from each licensed bureau, and few people use it. Getting both reports before house-hunting is a simple step. If something is wrong, such as a debt you never took on or a loan shown as unpaid that was settled, the law lets you dispute it with the bureau, which must investigate and correct inaccurate data. Fixing errors can take time, so start early. Overseas buyers should note that a Jamaican lender may also ask for a credit report from the country where they live.
Related terms: Credit Bureau, Credit report, Credit Score, Credit history, Mortgage pre-approval, Debt Service Ratio.
Accurate as at October 2026.
