Sit down and look at your credit reports together – that way, if you have a low score, you can look at your credit history to find out why, and how to make any improvements.

As well as paying off existing debts, it could be something as simple as ensuring you are both on the electoral roll. You can use the Experian Credit Score to help you monitor progress.

If a relationship does end, you need to make sure you are no longer financially linked to your ex. The best starting point is to make sure any joint accounts are closed. Sometimes this may take a little longer if it is a loan or a mortgage.

Once any joint accounts are closed then you can contact all the credit reference agencies to do a financial disassociation. When the link is removed then they will no longer be able to affect any applications for credit you make in the future. At Experian, you can do this by filling in a Financial Dissociation Questionnaire.

Money Mondays: What to do if your partner’s credit history affects your own