Last updated: 4 November 2026. General information for the UK, not mortgage advice.
You’ve found a home you love, or you’re finally ready to stop renting, and then a horrible thought hits you: what about my credit history? Maybe you missed a few payments a couple of years ago, had a default when things went wrong, or even a CCJ. Can you still get a mortgage?
Often, yes. Having bad credit doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get a mortgage in the UK, but it can mean fewer lenders, a bigger deposit and a higher interest rate. The more you understand what lenders look at, and the more time you give yourself to prepare, the better your chances.
This guide explains how lenders view different credit problems, what you can do to improve your position, and finishes with a 12-step credit checklist to work through before you apply. It’s part of my debt and credit UK guide.
Can you get a mortgage with bad credit in the UK?
It depends on three things:
- What the problem was (a late payment is very different from bankruptcy).
- When it happened (lenders care most about the last two to three years).
- Whether it’s sorted (a satisfied CCJ or settled default looks better than an unpaid one).
Some mainstream lenders will accept minor or older problems. Others specialise in mortgages for people with more serious credit problems, usually at higher rates. That’s why the right advice matters (see “Should I use a mortgage broker?” below).
How lenders view different credit problems
| Credit problem | How long it shows | How lenders tend to see it |
|---|---|---|
| A few late or missed payments | 6 years | Often fine if they’re older and you’ve paid on time since |
| Arrangement to pay | 6 years | Depends how recent and whether it’s finished |
| Default | 6 years from the default date | Recent or unpaid defaults limit your choice; older, settled ones less so |
| CCJ | 6 years (unless paid within a month) | One of the more serious markers, especially if recent or unpaid |
| Debt management plan | While it runs and after | Some lenders want it finished; others accept it with a track record |
| IVA or Debt Relief Order | 6 years from the start | Many lenders want it completed, sometimes for a few years |
| Bankruptcy | 6 years from the start; Land Charges register usually 5 years | Usually the hardest; many lenders want several years since discharge |
These are general patterns, not rules. Every lender has its own criteria. Read more in my guides to defaults, CCJs and missed payments.
What else mortgage lenders look at
Your credit score is only one piece. Lenders also check:
- Affordability: your income, regular spending, childcare, other debts and how a rise in interest rates would affect you.
- Your deposit: a bigger deposit (a lower loan-to-value) means less risk for the lender and can open up more options.
- Your bank statements: usually the last three months. Lenders look for gambling, lots of overdraft use, payday loans or missed Direct Debits. My 90-day bank statement cleanse shows how to tidy them up.
- Employment and income stability: how long you’ve been in your job, or your accounts if you’re self-employed.
- Your credit use now: how much of your credit card limits you’re using, and any recent applications.
How to improve your chances of a mortgage with bad credit
Give yourself time
If you can, start preparing 6 to 12 months before you apply. Every month of on-time payments after a problem helps, and problems drop off your file after six years.
Pay off or settle what you can
Settled defaults and satisfied CCJs look better than unpaid ones. If you’re paying a debt off with a plan, keep every payment on time.
Save a bigger deposit
Even a few extra percent can widen your choice of lenders. My Lifetime ISA calculator shows how a government bonus can help first-time buyers (check the latest rules first: the Lifetime ISA is being replaced by a First Time Buyer ISA).
Bring down your credit card balances
Lower balances compared with your limits usually help your score and your affordability.
Avoid new credit applications
Don’t apply for new cards, loans, car finance or phone contracts in the months before a mortgage application. Each full application leaves a hard search.
Explain the problem
If there was a clear reason, like illness or redundancy, add a Notice of Correction to your credit file and tell your broker. It won’t change your score, but it gives context.
Should I use a mortgage broker?
With bad credit, a good mortgage broker can make a real difference. They know which lenders accept which credit problems, which avoids you collecting hard searches from applications that get turned down.
Before you choose one:
- Check they’re authorised on the FCA register.
- Ask whether they search the whole market or a limited panel.
- Ask how they’re paid: some charge a fee, some are paid by the lender, some both.
- Be wary of anyone who promises approval before seeing your details.
Credit checklist before you apply for a mortgage (12 steps)
Work through this 3 to 6 months before you apply:
- Check your credit report with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion (all free). See how to check your credit score for free.
- Fix any mistakes, like wrong addresses, accounts that aren’t yours or missed payments you didn’t miss. Here’s how to dispute errors.
- Register to vote at your current address. MoneyHelper says it could help within about eight weeks.
- Remove old financial links to ex-partners or housemates with a notice of disassociation.
- Pay every bill on time, every month, from now on.
- Lower your credit card balances, ideally well below your limits.
- Close accounts you truly don’t need, but don’t close your oldest account just before applying. See credit limit increases and closing cards.
- Stop applying for credit until after you complete.
- Avoid payday loans and Buy Now, Pay Later in the months before applying.
- Tidy your bank statements: no gambling, fewer takeaways, no unarranged overdraft.
- Gather your documents: payslips, P60, bank statements, ID and proof of deposit.
- Add a Notice of Correction for any one-off problem with a good reason.
For the full house-buying side, use my first-time buyer mortgage checklist and work out your costs with the stamp duty calculator and hidden costs of buying a house.
Mortgage with bad credit: people also ask
What credit score do I need for a mortgage in the UK?
There’s no single minimum score. Each lender uses its own scoring and looks at your full credit report, income and deposit. Your score is a guide; what lenders really look at is the detail in your report.
Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ?
Sometimes, yes. It depends on how recent the CCJ is, how much it was for and whether it’s been paid. Recent or unpaid CCJs limit your options more. A broker can tell you which lenders consider your situation.
Can I get a mortgage with a default?
Often, especially if the default is a few years old, small and settled. A recent or unpaid default makes it harder and may mean a bigger deposit or a higher rate.
How long after bankruptcy can I get a mortgage?
Bankruptcy usually ends after 12 months, but it stays on your credit file for six years from the start. Many lenders want several years since discharge, and some won’t lend until it has dropped off your file.
Do bad credit mortgages have higher interest rates?
Usually, yes. Specialist lenders often charge more to reflect the extra risk. As your credit history improves, you may be able to remortgage to a better rate when your deal ends.
Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?
Eligibility checkers and “agreement in principle” checks often use a soft search, which doesn’t affect your score. Some lenders do a hard search for an agreement in principle, so ask first.
Summary
- You can often get a mortgage with bad credit in the UK, depending on what happened, when, and whether it’s sorted.
- Lenders look at your whole picture: credit report, affordability, deposit and bank statements.
- Give yourself 6 to 12 months to prepare, save a bigger deposit and avoid new credit.
- A regulated, whole-of-market broker can find lenders that fit your history.
- Work through the 12-step credit checklist before you apply.
Next step: check your credit report with all the agencies, then work through my first-time buyer mortgage checklist.
General information only, not mortgage advice. I’m not a mortgage adviser. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. If you’re struggling with debt, please contact a free, confidential debt advice service.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): MoneyHelper: how to improve your credit score · GOV.UK: when bankruptcy ends · FCA: Financial Services Register