Hi, many thanks for the replies everyone - much appreciated. After the original default i may have deferred for a short time or started repayments (I will need to check) - i have a feeling i just started paying back monthly and been paying back ever since. Last week i went ahead and payed the £1000 odd that was left on the account and closed the account in the small hope that this helps with things. My credit score still shows as 971 - Excellent even despite the default. Many thanks again for the advice Malcolm

Quick update - i have spoken to Erudio who state they do not have the default letters sent to me originally and SLC say they do not have them as Erudio have all there records.

Hi I am applying for a mortgage and it has flagged up on my credit record that i have a default notice on my credit report put there by SLC. This is a nightmare as it is currently stopping me from getting a mortgage. I spoke to SLC and they said it was put there about 3 years ago and so cannot be removed for another 3 years. My loan was for around £1500 from 1996 and was deferred every year through proof of income until 2011 when for some reason they did not receive my deferment letter and i may have been slow to resolve this due to personal circumstances at the time. At some point that year i either deferred again for another year or started paying off and have been paying every month without fail - and the loan is now paid back in full. I wondered if anyone had been in a similar situatuon and have had any luck in getting a default removed? I have looked around on the web and some people have suggested that a company who adds a default to someone's record must if requested supply the original letters sent to prove they complied with legislation. I spoke to SLC and they say they cannot supply the letters as a company called Erudio now have all my account details. Does anyone have any ideas or am I just going to accept i need to wait another 3 years to get a mortgage? What a nightmare! Many thanks in advance for any help Best Regards Malcolm