The Honest Answer
Can You Get a Mortgage with Bad Credit?
Yes. While a damaged credit history makes mortgage applications harder, it doesn’t make them impossible. We specialise in bad credit and adverse credit mortgages, working with lenders who assess your current financial situation rather than just your past mistakes.
We work with over 90 lenders across the whole mortgage market, including specialist adverse credit lenders who aren’t accessible directly to the public. Our 25+ years of experience means we know exactly which lenders to approach for your specific situation — and how to present your application in the strongest possible light.
- Specialist lender access — direct relationships with adverse credit lenders not available to the public
- Expert credit assessment — we review your file in detail and build the strongest possible application
- Honest, realistic advice — if it’s too early to apply, we’ll tell you and advise on improving your position first
- End-to-end support — from credit assessment through to completion, and planning your remortgage to better rates
The path forward
A bad credit mortgage isn’t forever. It’s the first step.
- Start with a 2–3 year fixed rate bad credit mortgage
- Build a track record of on-time mortgage payments
- Let your credit file age and improve over time
- Remortgage to mainstream rates after 2–3 years
We plan this journey with you from day one — so you always know where you’re headed.
We’ve Seen It All
Credit Issues We Help With
We’ve successfully helped clients secure mortgages with every type of credit problem. If it’s on this list — and even if it isn’t — talk to us first.
⚖️ CCJs (County Court Judgements)
Satisfied or unsatisfied. Specialist lenders consider the value, how many, how recent, and whether they’ve been settled. Smaller, older, satisfied CCJs are much easier to work with.
❌ Defaults
Defaulted credit cards, loans, or bills show on your file for 6 years. We work with lenders who’ll consider recent defaults if you’ve demonstrated financial stability since.
🏠 Missed Mortgage Payments
Previous arrears are taken seriously, but specialist lenders assess how many, how recent, and your payment track record since. Context matters as much as the event.
📋 Debt Management Plans & IVAs
Active or completed DMPs and Individual Voluntary Arrangements. Some specialist lenders will consider applications before full discharge, depending on your circumstances.
📄 Bankruptcy
Post-bankruptcy mortgages typically require 3+ years after discharge. Some specialist lenders consider sooner with substantial deposits. Timing and deposit size are the key variables.
🔑 Repossession
Previous property repossession is serious but not permanent. We work with lenders who understand it often results from circumstances beyond your control — redundancy, illness, relationship breakdown.
📉 Low Credit Score
Sometimes scores are low due to multiple small issues or lack of credit history — not one catastrophic event. Specialist lenders look at the full picture, not just a number.
💳 Multiple Credit Issues
A combination of credit problems can complicate things, but rarely eliminates options entirely. We know which lenders are most flexible with complex adverse credit histories.
⏱️ Very Recent Issues
Some specialist lenders will consider applications with very recent credit problems — especially with a substantial deposit of 25%+ and evidence the issues are now resolved.
Know Where You Stand Before You Apply
Before applying for any mortgage, it’s essential to understand what’s on your credit file. Many people are surprised by what they find — old addresses, forgotten accounts, or even errors that can be corrected and removed before you apply.
- All 4 credit agencies in one report
- 7-day free trial, cancel anytime
- No impact on your credit score
- Equifax, Experian, TransUnion & Crediva
Check My File — 7-day free trial →
Deposits
How Much Deposit Do You Need?
Bad credit mortgages require larger deposits than standard mortgages to offset lender risk. The exact amount depends on the severity and type of your credit issues, how recently they occurred, and your current financial stability.
| Credit Issue Severity | Typical Deposit |
|---|---|
| Minor issues (old defaults, satisfied CCJs) | 15–20% |
| Moderate issues (recent defaults, active DMP) | 20–25% |
| Serious issues (bankruptcy, repossession) | 25–35%+ |
On a £250,000 property, a 25% deposit (£62,500) versus 15% (£37,500) could save you £150–200 per month in mortgage payments due to better rates — a significant difference worth planning for.
Interest Rates
What Rates Can You Expect?
Bad credit mortgages carry higher interest rates than standard mortgages — lenders charge more to offset the additional risk. Here’s a realistic picture of what to expect.
| Credit Situation | Typical Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Standard mortgage (good credit) | 4–5.5% |
| Minor credit issues | 5–7% |
| Moderate credit issues | 6–9% |
| Serious credit issues | 8–12%+ |
These are initial rates, not permanent ones. With a clean payment record on your mortgage and improving credit, you can typically remortgage to mainstream rates within 2–3 years. We plan this with you from the start.
“I had a CCJ from five years ago and two missed payments on a loan. Every bank I went to turned me down flat. Home Me reviewed my full credit file, explained exactly what specialist lenders would and wouldn’t consider, and got us a mortgage. They were honest with us from the start — no false promises, just a plan that worked.”
— Michelle & Rob T., First-time buyers, Reading ★★★★★
Before You Apply
Improving Your Chances of Approval
While we can’t erase past credit issues, we can help you present the strongest possible application. These steps make a measurable difference.
1 Build Your Deposit
The larger your deposit, the better your chances and rates. Even increasing from 15% to 20% opens up more lender options and meaningfully reduces your monthly payments.
2 Demonstrate Stability
Lenders want to see 3–6 months in your current job, consistent income, regular savings (even small amounts), and no recent credit applications.
3 Improve Your Credit Conduct
Keep on top of all current bills, register on the electoral roll, use credit responsibly, and don’t max out existing credit limits. Every month of clean conduct helps.
4 Settle Outstanding Debts
If possible, satisfy any unsatisfied CCJs or defaults before applying. This significantly improves your options with both specialist and mainstream lenders.
5 Provide Context
Many credit issues have valid explanations — relationship breakdown, redundancy, illness. We’ll help you document these for lenders in a way that adds context without overselling.
6 Be Patient When Necessary
Sometimes waiting 6–12 months can make a huge difference to available rates. We’ll advise honestly on whether applying now or waiting serves you better — and back that view with numbers.