FAQ's

We work with over 90 lenders, including specialists in bad credit mortgages. We’ll assess your situation, explain your options clearly, and match you with the most suitable lenders—giving you the best chance of success.

No. In fact, checking your credit report is a smart first step. It allows you to spot and correct errors and understand what lenders will see. We recommend getting a copy of your credit report from agencies like Experian, Equifax, or Checkmyfile.

Yes. Applying jointly with a partner or family member with good credit can sometimes improve your application. However, the lender will still assess both applicants’ credit histories

Yes. There are lenders who specialise in self-employed applicants, even with credit issues. You’ll need to show consistent income—typically through SA302s, tax returns, or business accounts—and may need a larger deposit.

You’ll typically need to provide: Proof of ID (passport or driving licence) Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement) Credit report Payslips or proof of income (last 3 months) Bank statements Details of your credit issues We’ll help guide you through exactly what you need during your consultation.

Yes, some lenders will consider applicants with a history of bankruptcy, but it depends on how long ago it occurred and whether it has been discharged. Most lenders will expect the bankruptcy to be discharged for at least 12 months, with some requiring longer.

In most cases, yes—at least initially. Lenders charge higher rates to reflect the increased risk. However, once you’ve built a good payment history and improved your credit, you may be able to remortgage at a lower rate later on.

Bad credit can include missed payments, defaults, CCJs (County Court Judgments), IVAs, debt management plans, or bankruptcy. Even having little or no credit history can make some lenders cautious. The severity and age of the issue will affect your mortgage options.

Yes, you can. While high street banks may be more cautious, there are many specialist lenders who consider applicants with poor credit histories. These lenders look beyond your credit score and assess your full financial situation.

Yes, many first time buyers can still obtain a mortgage with a satisfied CCJ. The key factors lenders look at include how much the CCJ was for, when it was registered, whether it has been satisfied, and how your credit has been conducted since. Older satisfied CCJs are generally viewed more favourably than recent ones.

In many cases, lenders become more flexible once a default is over twelve months old and satisfied. After two to three years, options often improve further. However, some specialist lenders will consider more recent defaults depending on the strength of the overall application.

There is no universal minimum credit score required for a mortgage in the UK. Each lender uses its own scoring model and many assess applications manually. This means it is often possible to secure a mortgage even if your score is lower than average, provided the rest of your profile is strong.

Often, yes. Buyers with historic minor credit issues may still access higher loan to value products, sometimes from around five to ten percent deposit. Where credit issues are more recent or more serious, lenders typically require larger deposits, often in the range of fifteen to twenty five percent.

Not necessarily. Historic payday loan use does not automatically mean a mortgage will be declined. However, very recent or frequent usage can concern some lenders. The overall context, including how long ago the loans were used and your current financial stability, is what really matters.

There is no single minimum age that applies to every lender. Some lenders may consider relatively recent defaults or CCJs, while others require them to be older. The amount, circumstances and deposit are also important.

It may still be possible. Recent missed payments can reduce the number of lenders available, particularly if they relate to mortgages or secured borrowing, but specialist lenders may consider the wider circumstances.

A low credit score does not automatically mean you cannot get a mortgage. Some lenders assess applications manually and focus on the reasons behind the low score, your recent credit conduct, income and deposit.

It can be possible to get a mortgage after an IVA. Some lenders may consider an application once the IVA has been completed, while others may require more time to have passed. Your deposit and credit history since the IVA will also matter.

Yes, getting a mortgage after bankruptcy can be possible once you have been discharged. The time since discharge, your deposit, affordability and how you have managed credit since then will influence the lenders available.

Potentially, yes. Some lenders are more cautious where payday loans have been used, especially if they are recent or frequent. Older or isolated use may be viewed differently depending on the lender.

It may be possible to get a mortgage while in, or after completing, a debt management plan. Lender criteria vary considerably, so the payment history, outstanding debt, deposit and overall affordability will be important.

It can help, but it is not the only factor lenders consider. Some lenders are more comfortable when a default or CCJ has been satisfied, while others focus more heavily on how old it is and the amount involved.

A full mortgage application will normally involve a credit search and may leave a record on your credit file. Too many applications in a short period can be unhelpful, which is why checking lender criteria before applying can be particularly important with adverse credit.

Not necessarily. In some cases waiting can improve your options, particularly where adverse credit is very recent, but you may already have suitable lenders available. We can assess your circumstances before deciding whether applying now or waiting is more appropriate.

Yes. A decline from one lender does not mean every lender will decline you. Different lenders use different credit scoring and criteria, so it is important to understand why the application was declined before making another application.

Adverse credit can include missed or late payments, defaults, CCJs, mortgage or rent arrears, debt management plans, IVAs, bankruptcy and other problems recorded on your credit file. Different lenders treat these issues differently.

Potentially, yes. Some lenders will consider applicants with defaults. The date, value, type of default, whether it has been satisfied and your deposit can all affect which lenders may be available.

Yes, some mortgage lenders will consider CCJs. Your options can depend on when the CCJ was registered, its value, whether it has been satisfied and the rest of your credit history.

Possibly, although missed mortgage payments are generally treated more seriously than some other credit issues. The number of missed payments, how recent they were and whether the account is now up to date will usually be important.

The deposit required depends on the severity and age of the adverse credit, as well as the lender and property. A larger deposit can sometimes give you access to more lenders and potentially better mortgage options.

There is no universal credit score required for a mortgage. Lenders use their own credit scoring and underwriting criteria, so the information within your credit history is often more important than the headline score shown by a credit reference agency.

Yes, some lenders will consider a joint application where only one applicant has adverse credit. The type and age of the credit issue, both applicants' incomes and the deposit will help determine the available options.

Yes, remortgaging with adverse credit can be possible. The options will depend on your current mortgage conduct, loan-to-value, affordability and the type and age of any credit issues.

Many adverse credit records, including defaults and CCJs, normally remain on a UK credit file for six years from the relevant registration date. The way a mortgage lender treats them can change as they become older.

Yes. An experienced mortgage broker can review your credit history and circumstances, identify lenders whose criteria are more suitable and help avoid applications to lenders that are unlikely to accept the case.

There is no single list because lender criteria vary depending on the type, amount and age of the adverse credit. Alongside high-street banks, there are specialist lenders that consider cases involving defaults, CCJs, missed payments and other credit issues.

You may pay a higher rate than someone with a clean credit history, particularly where the adverse credit is recent or significant. However, rates vary between lenders and can improve where the issues are older or you have a larger deposit.

Yes, being a first-time buyer does not prevent you getting a mortgage if you have adverse credit. The lender will consider your credit history alongside your income, deposit, affordability and the property you are buying.