Credit checks: what people actually say
The phrases for a flat that needs a credit check, a payment default that comes up, and a talk with the bank.
Daniel has found a flat, but the landlord runs a credit check on everyone, and an old phone bill comes back to haunt him. Follow him from the viewing to the bank and pick up the phrases for explaining, asking and getting help.
- 1
Jag är jätteintresserad av lägenheten.
I'm really interested in the flat.
Tip: Say it straight away at a viewing; the 'really' is a prefix glued to the adjective.
- 2
Hur gör jag för att söka den?
What do I do to apply for it?
Tip: lit. 'how do I do in order to apply for it'; the verb for applying is the same as for jobs.
- 3
Vi tar en kreditupplysning på alla sökande.
We do a credit check on all applicants.
Tip: lit. 'we take a credit check on'; the word for applicant has the same form in singular and plural.
- 4
Är det en UC ni tar?
Is it a UC check you're doing?
Tip: UC is the biggest credit reference agency, and its name is the everyday word for the check.
- 5
inga betalningsanmärkningar
no payment default records
Tip: The word for 'no' changes form before a plural noun.
- 6
en stadig inkomst
a steady income
Tip: Steady as in regular and reliable.
- 7
Det ska inte vara några problem.
That shouldn't be a problem.
Tip: lit. 'it shall not be any issues'; the modal expresses what you expect.
- 8
Jag har fast anställning sedan i våras.
I've had a permanent job since this spring.
Tip: Swedish uses the present tense for a state that is still going on.
- 9
dina tre senaste lönebesked
your last three payslips
Tip: The number comes before 'latest', as in English.
- 10
Jag skickar dem i kväll.
I'll send them tonight.
Tip: Swedish uses the present tense for near-future plans.
- 11
Det kom upp en betalningsanmärkning.
A payment default came up.
Tip: lit. 'it came up a payment remark'; Swedish starts with a dummy subject.
- 12
Det måste vara ett misstag.
That must be a mistake.
Tip: Same structure as in English; the noun is an ett-word.
- 13
Vad gäller den?
What is it for? (what does it concern)
Tip: lit. 'what concerns it'; the pronoun points back to the record.
- 14
Det står att det är en obetald räkning.
It says it's an unpaid bill.
Tip: lit. 'it stands that'; how Swedes say what a text or letter says.
- 15
Jag fick aldrig någon påminnelse.
I never got a reminder.
Tip: lit. 'I got never any reminder'; the never + any pairing is very common.
- 16
Men jag har betalat den nu.
But I've paid it now.
Tip: Perfect tense, used just like the English one here.
- 17
Anmärkningen ligger kvar ändå.
The record stays there anyway.
Tip: lit. 'the remark lies remaining anyway'. Paying the debt does not remove it.
- 18
Finns det något jag kan göra?
Is there anything I can do?
Tip: lit. 'exists there anything I can do'.
- 19
Hjälper det om jag har en borgensman?
Does it help if I have a guarantor?
Tip: A yes/no question starts with the verb.
- 20
Min syster kan gå i borgen för mig.
My sister can act as my guarantor.
Tip: lit. 'go in surety for me'.
- 21
Be henne höra av sig till mig.
Ask her to get in touch with me.
Tip: lit. 'ask her hear of herself to me'; no 'to' before the second verb.
- 22
Jag skulle vilja förstå min kreditupplysning.
I'd like to understand my credit report.
Tip: The polite 'I would like to', for banks, shops and offices.
- 23
en anmärkning som jag inte kände till
a record I didn't know about
Tip: The negation comes before the verb in a 'which/that' clause.
- 24
Du borde ha fått en upplysningskopia hem.
You should have received a copy at home.
Tip: should + have + past participle, as in English.
- 25
Hur länge ligger en betalningsanmärkning kvar?
How long does a payment default stay on file?
Tip: The particle splits off and goes to the very end.
- 26
I tre år för privatpersoner.
Three years for private individuals.
Tip: For a duration Swedish uses 'in', not 'for'. Companies have different rules.
- 27
Påverkar den mina chanser att få lån?
Does it affect my chances of getting a loan?
Tip: No article before 'loan' when talking generally.
- 28
De flesta banker säger nej så länge den finns kvar.
Most banks say no as long as it's still there.
Tip: 'Most' takes a plural noun without the definite ending.
- 29
Det skulle jag verkligen avråda från.
I'd really advise against that.
Tip: lit. 'that would I really advise from'; the object goes first, so the verb comes second.
- 30
Räntan är ofta skyhög.
The interest is often sky-high.
Tip: Same image as in English.
- 31
många kreditupplysningar på kort tid
many credit checks in a short time
Tip: lit. 'on short time'.
- 32
Så jag ska inte söka lån överallt samtidigt?
So I shouldn't apply for loans everywhere at once?
Tip: Statement word order with a question tone, to check you understood.
- 33
Vänta tills anmärkningen har försvunnit.
Wait until the record has disappeared.
Tip: The verb for disappear is irregular in the past forms.
- 34
Det var bra att få det förklarat.
It was good to have it explained.
Tip: lit. 'to get it explained'.