There are two types of credit check, a hard search and a soft search. A ‘hard search’ is a credit search that is carried out by a lender. This search can be seen by other lenders when they perform a credit search. Multiple hard credit searches can have a negative impact on your credit report. A ‘soft search’ is different, it is still a search carried out by lenders, but it is more of a background check. This does not leave a footprint on your credit file, so other lenders cannot see it, meaning it has no impact on your credit score.