There are two main agencies that store personal information on people's credit history - Equifax and Experian.
When a company that provides credit of any kind, whether for a loan, utility (telephone, electric, gas) agreement, mortgage or customer details require verifying (e.g. by prospective landlords or employers); they will contact an agency who will then provide certain credit history details as requested by the lender for use in deciding whether they will lend, based on the lender criteria.
This may also include information that confirms addresses in the last few years.
Any CCJs and defaults registered within the last 6 years will show up, as will payment profiles.
The agencies can be contacted as shown below:

Equifax
PO Box 3001
Glasgow
G81 2DT
Tel: 0870 0100 583