A study by the Young Group claims that lenders can check the credit history of anyone who a person may have had a financial relationship with.
Should a persons' previous partner have credit problems, this could impact on their ability to pass credit checks.
The report advises separated or divorced borrowers to inform their banks and credit reference agencies of the separation as soon as possible to avoid problems.
Neil Young, chief executive officer of Young Group, said: "Lenders are being more cautious than ever and prefer to lend to those with the most squeaky clean credit."
It therefore makes sense for borrowers to ensure that their credit report was in its best possible shape, he added.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that divorce rates fell again in 2007.
