No impact on your credit score
The Mortgage Broker
Bad Credit Mortgages
UK bad credit mortgage broker for borrowers with missed payments, defaults, CCJs, IVAs or past bankruptcy covering all self-employed and complex income. Understand your position as we access 25,000+ products across 130+ lenders (specialist adverse ranges) to match you with a suitable, sustainable and affordable deal. Start with a soft search Mortgage in Principle (15 minutes), then full credit/affordability review if required. FCA-regulated, CeMAP-qualified, 2,500+ 5-star reviews,
How to get a mortgage with bad credit
3 steps: Our bad credit mortgage specialists will help you see that credit blips do not define your future. Many high street lenders are opening up to every day normalities, but we have over 130+ lenders, including specialist lenders for bad credit.
Let us understand your goals and do a transparent credit review
Soft searches only and no effect on credit score
We will immediately advice on your circumstances
We can compare specialist lenders and understand criteria
We will guide you on options and support throughout
We can offer as much advice as you need, through to any offer
8.38 million people have had adverse credit in the last 3 years. You're not at a dead end and you can get a mortgage.
Mortgage Approved Despite Defaults and Just 5% Deposit
Two first-time buyers wanted to purchase their first property. They had a 5% deposit (£15,900) but were concerned about their ability to secure a mortgage due to bad credit (adverse credit) that being satisfied defaulted credit commitments from the COVID period and a family life event. They believed they would need to wait until the bad credit cleared from their file in 2028.
| Commitment Type | Property Value | Balance | Loan to Value | Term | Payment Type | Interest Rate | Product Type | Payment |
| Mortgage | £310,000 | £294,100 | 94.87% | 35 Years | Repayment | 6.22% | 2 Year Fixed | £1,730 |
The main challenge was bad credit (adverse credit) history, which does limit lender options. Additionally, one of the clients was self-employed, adding complexity to affordability checks. The combination of a small deposit and adverse credit made this a high-risk case for most lenders.
A lender was secured that accepted the case despite tight criteria. The mortgage was arranged with a 2-year fixed rate, acknowledging the higher interest rate due to the credit history. The plan is to remortgage to a more competitive rate after two years when the bad credit is older and more lenders will consider the application.
Income protection policies were also arranged to safeguard against loss of income due to illness, given the clients’ employed status.
The mortgage was successfully completed on a 2-year fixed product with a repayment term of 35 years. The loan amount was £294,100 against a property value of £310,000, resulting in a Loan-to-Value (LTV) of approximately 95%. Monthly payments were set at £1,730.
This solution allowed the clients to purchase their first home years earlier than expected, despite adverse credit history. It provided a clear pathway to improve their mortgage terms in the future and added financial security through income protection. Other dream home secured!
Advisor: Harrison AndrewsCan you get a mortgage with bad credit through The Mortgage Broker
Yes. You’re not alone in thinking past credit issues mean your at a dead end. Your not. Here is our quick overview.
Who it’s for
UK borrowers who’ve faced credit challenges, from missed payments, defaults, CCJs or IVAs, to discharged bankruptcy: plus self-employed or complex-income applicants looking to buy or remortgage.
What you do
We’re a specialist bad credit mortgage broker, comparing 25,000+ products from 130+ lenders (including specialist ranges) to find suitable, affordable solutions tailored to your credit profile and goals.
How it works
Share your situation → we assess bad credit mortgage options → soft-search Mortgage in Principle in about 15 minutes (no credit impact) → full credit-file and affordability review → your CeMAP-qualified adviser manages everything through to offer.
Why trust you
FCA-regulated, CeMAP-qualified advisers; bad-credit specialists with 2,500+ verified 5★ reviews; free, no-obligation advice; and a secure, transparent process designed to rebuild confidence and deliver results.
Next step
Check your options and see what’s possible, even with past credit issues.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Get Peace of Mind with The Mortgage Broker
Please do not worry. Various forms of bad credit are quite normal. Our team have experience across many different areas, and we have bad credit mortgage lenders on our panel that we have developed close relationships with. We can help identify the areas of concern and understand your circumstances fully, before applying to the right mortgage lender who we know will look more favourably on your financial situation.
- Poor Credit Scores
- DMP and IVA Options
- Debt Consolidation
- CCJs and Defaults
Getting a mortgage is extremely stressful whatever your scenario, so please pass some of this on to our team of mortgage specialists. Not only can our team help clarify your position, we can ensure you are taking the right steps and presenting your finances accordingly to ensure you can get a mortgage. Fortunately, there are many lenders that look favourably on bad credit and take a common sense approach. The Mortgage Broker has exclusive access to many products that our customers cannot access directly on the high street.
89% Of all mortgages are done through a mortgage broker. This is because lenders trust brokers when packaging customer finance and ensuring mortgages are affordable 42% of Mortgage Products are only accessible through a brokerCan I get a mortgage with bad credit but a large deposit?
Often yes. A bigger deposit lowers the lender’s risk by reducing your loan‑to‑value (LTV) ratio. The lower the LTV, the more willing many lenders will be. Especially specialist lenders on our panel, who are able to consider applicants with imperfect credit. Your exact options still depend on what’s in your credit file, how recent the issues are, and whether you can comfortably afford the repayments.
Get started| Deposit | LTV | Typical impact on options* |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 90% | Limited with bad credit but there are options. Less mainstream lenders. |
| 15–20% | 85–80% | Some specialist lenders may consider, depending on issue age/severity. |
| 25–30% | 75–70% | Many more options; rates/fees still higher than prime. |
| 40%+ | ≤60% | Broadest set of options among specialist lenders; materially stronger case. |
Looking for a bad credit mortgage but don’t know where to start?
Do you:
- Need a mortgage but you have bad credit?
- Have CCJs and wondering what your mortgage options are?
- Need advice on getting a mortgage after defaulting on payments?
Find out how to get a mortgage with bad credit
If you have financial issues of any sort or are in need of a mortgage and worried about being turned down by lenders, come to the Mortgage Broker. We understand how stressful dealing with bad finances is, and we don’t think it should mean that you don’t get to move into a home.
Often, a difficult financial situation is caused through no fault of your own. We don’t think you should be punished for something that is often completely outside of your control. Many lenders will turn away those with bad credit, defaulted payments on their record or with CCJs, as they are seen as a high risk. From the lender’s point of view, all they want to know is if they will get their money back.
Unfortunately, what this attitude tends to disregard is that there is a human being at the other end of the transaction. And maybe, just because you’ve missed some payments or had some misfortune in your life, doesn’t mean you aren’t committed to getting a home of your own and paying the monthly instalments regularly.
We specialise in getting people with bad credit into a mortgage. We take great care to search through bad credit mortgage lenders that specialise in bad credit mortgages, getting you the best deal possible.
Speak with an advisor today!
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Can you get a mortgage with bad credit?
In short: Yes. However, there are some caveats. Your financial activity over the last two or three years and especially the last twelve months is vitally important. These records will be examined with a fine-toothed comb and if you show that your spending habits have improved, even over the last year, then historic bad debt is easier to disregard.
How to Get a Mortgage Even with Bad Credit or Debts
A mortgage broker finds the best possible rate for your exact circumstances.
If, within the last twelve months, you have missed payments then it is generally harder for you to get a mortgage, but it is by no means impossible. How much this effects your ability to get a mortgage depends on the severity of the problem, the consistency of bad spending habits or how large your loans are.
The best thing to do is get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can start to get to work. We’ll listen to your individual needs, offer honest no-nonsense advice and do our best to get you a mortgage deal. We want to help you; we want to listen; and we’ll need your trust and candour to do so.
We support you every step of the way, and won’t rest until we’ve found the very best rates and mortgage deals for your specific personal needs and unique financial situation.
Contrary to what it’s called, there isn’t actually such a thing as a bad credit mortgage. All we mean when we say ‘bad credit mortgage’, is a standard mortgage that is likely to have higher interest rates or extra charges due to you having bad credit. These are also known as ‘adverse credit mortgages’ and ‘subprime mortgages’. If you have a bad credit rating, then the mortgage you get is classed as a ‘bad credit mortgage’ but it works exactly the same as a standard mortgage. After a few years of repaying your bad credit mortgage consistently, your credit rating will naturally start to improve. Because of this, when it comes time to remortgage you’ll be in a much better position to get a more favourable rate on your next term. Whether you have an IVA, DMP, have experienced a period of bankruptcy or are in the midst of CCJs, we’ll be able to help. Get in touch and after a few minutes of honest conversation, we’ll be able to show you all the options you have.What is a bad credit mortgage?
Improve your chances of getting an adverse credit mortgage
How do I check my credit file?
We recommend using “Check My File” to get the most comprehensive credit information. This site pulls all of its data from the major credit sourcing agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Please note: Check My File offers a FREE 7 Day trial that will enable you to download your current credit
report. Please remember to cancel the subscription within 7 days, if you do not wish to continue with this service
A credit file is a detailed record that shows your borrowing history, repayment profile, and outstanding debts. If you have experienced payment issues in the past, it will also include any missed or late payment, defaults and CCJs. We work with this everyday and know the lenders that will say Yes.
A credit file is typically what lenders look at when they are determining whether to accept your mortgage application. Armed with this information, we work with you to discover the ways we can help improve your credit score and improve your chances of being accepted for a mortgage.
What’s great about using “check-my-file” is that by collating the data from three separate agencies, the chance of error or misinformation is eliminated. An error that creeps into one will not be present in the others, so it is easy to see if lenders are picking up erroneous information.
Once you have obtained your credit file, bring it with you when you begin discussions with one of our advisors. It’s a fantastic document to have; it helps us and you find out your financial standing in exacting detail.
How does your credit report impact your mortgage application?
Now you have your credit report, you can see exactly what it is that’s holding you back. Together with one of our mortgage advisors, we can work the problem, offering you all the support you need along the way.
So what counts toward decreasing your credit score?
If you miss the payment window for any of these consistently then it counts towards lowering your credit score. The good thing about this is that if you begin to chip away at bills, loans and credit cards regularly, then it shows that you are more stable financially, and therefore a better prospect for lenders.
If you fail to pay bills over a long period of time you may be open to getting a CCJ, which will inhibit your ability to get a mortgage further. Even this is not an insurmountable issue, however.
It is only a consistent and unpredictable history of repayment that will be an issue on your credit score; missing a payment here and there, as long as the bulk of your financial activities remain stable, is nothing to worry about.
Recovering from a period of bankruptcy is no easy task. Even years after bankruptcy it is often difficult to know exactly what your options are for mortgages, loans and credit cards.
A year after you’ve declared bankruptcy, you’ll be discharged, which means that all of your unsecured debts will be written off. Unfortunately, something like bankruptcy is a pretty major event, so it will count negatively toward your ability to get new credit and mortgages for a minimum of six years.
If you’ve had to file for voluntary or forced bankruptcy, you still have options. After a conversation with our mortgage advisors, we’ll use every resource available to us to secure you a mortgage. No matter how long it’s been after you’ve declared bankruptcy, or even if you have an IVA, there’s a solution for you.
A CCJ can be issued against you if you fail to repay money you owe. Having a CCJ means that your name is registered in the Register of Judgements, Orders and Fines. Suffice it to say, it is not a good thing to have on your credit report!
The court usually only issues a CCJ after many attempts at communication; they can be avoided altogether by working with creditors to pay off the balance due in instalments.
Even if you have a CCJ, they don’t last forever. This is all dependent on the CCJ having been settled but once that it is, it won’t influence your credit score after six years.
Getting a mortgage with a CCJ is far from impossible. There are several factors, such as the type of mortgage you need and the amount of money due to be repaid. If your CCJ is less than two years old and you owe more than £2,000 then the amount of lenders will be more limited.
This is all to say that the only way we can discover what options are open to you, is by assessing your needs and taking a look at your financial history.
If you have been the victim of fraud, it can negatively effect your score. This is only usually in cases where you have been unaware that someone has stolen your identity and taken out credit cards in your name, etc. This can come as quite a nasty shock when you get your credit report but with some diligence, it is easy to prove that the person running up the bad credit is not you.
This is a frustrating thing to have to deal with and it is unfortunate that it can have any bearing on your credit score whatsoever. If you are unable to prove that the harmful activity is not you then the best thing to do (after locking your account), is to show records of your positive financial activity; paying bills on time, paying off loans, regular mortgage or rent payments which show you are a trustworthy individual.
Again, we can work through numerous financial issues with you to clarify where you stand and what your options are going forward.
Money makes the world go round, as they say. Taking out a credit card to buy large purchases and pay off chunks over the months has allowed people to continue enjoying a good standard of living, even when times get tough. Unfortunately, reality all too often reminds us that the world is not so simple.
Credit cards can quickly mount up, leaving you with too many repayments spread across too many lenders to handle. The stress of this alone is enough to paralyse you into inaction. People aren’t perfect, you don’t run on clockwork, the financial decisions you make shouldn’t have undue influence on your future endeavours, limiting you completely just because of a few mistakes.
Taking out an excessive amount of credit cards will be a red flag on your credit report and negatively effect your score, especially if you have trouble repaying them. You may want to consider consolidating your debts to make the payments more manageable.
How do I improve my credit score?
We’ve covered what negatively effects your credit score, but what about ways to improve it?
Here are some simple ways to start to turn around your credit score.
- Make sure you’re on the electoral roll at your current address.
- Don’t take out payday loans.
- Pay off the full balance of small credit card purchases regularly.
- Ensure anyone associated with you; wife, husband, etc, has a good financial status.
Some of this is easier said than done, and you’ll have a much easier time building a good score rather than correcting one. That being said, it’s all doable. All you have to do is show that you can pay off bills regularly, even if you have racked up a large amount; if you’re committed to making changes in your financial habits, it will be reflected positively in your credit report.
Find out how to qualify for a bad credit mortgage
Your options may be more limited but we only take that as a challenge. At the Mortgage Broker, we pride ourselves on finding a mortgage deal no matter your financial situation. To discover what mortgages you can qualify for and ways we can help secure them, get in touch for a no-obligation, free quote.
After just a short conversation, we’ll be able to scour our extensive list of lenders that are open to dealing with those who have bad credit. We’ll also be open and frank about your options given your current financial situation.
It’s in our best interests to help you out, so we won’t try to dazzle you with jargon or make any false promises. We believe in working together to get the best possible outcome, whatever your issues may be.
Get Expert Help
For a rough estimate of what you may be able to borrow for a mortgage, use one of our mortgage calculators. With only a few details input by you, you can get a better idea of the likely amount you can get.
The situation is far from hopeless. Even if your credit score is under 500, you have a CCJ or other types of bad debts, there are options. We have access to specialist lenders that take into consideration your previous adverse financial problems to weigh up just what risk there really is to them when accepting you for a mortgage.
We don’t think you don’t deserve to have a home just because of unfavourable actions in your past. Actions that may have been unavoidable. Get in touch to move past your debts and into the home of your dreams.
Can I get a bad credit mortgage with defaulted loans?
To default on a loan basically means that you have been unable to make the repayments on a debt.
This can happen on both secured and unsecured loans. An example of an unsecured loan would be a credit card, and for a secured loan think mortgage or student loan.
A default opens you up to eventual legal action, such as a CCJ, so you become a more risky proposition for a potential lender.
How defaulting on your debts will effect your ability to get a mortgage depends on the size and severity of the default. Any amount over £250 and a lender will ask for more details about the default to discover to what extent you are vulnerable financially.
If you have a few defaults registered to you in the last twelve months, this will unfortunately effect your ability to get a mortgage quite severely. Defaults that are over two to four years old are a little more easy to swallow for a lender, and so your chance of getting a mortgage increases.
A way to offset this risk is if you have a large deposit, this communicates to the lender that you are less of a risk. Defaults are not as severe as CCJs but will still raise some warning flags with a lot of lenders who will ask for further reassurances that you will be able to repay your mortgage, such as stipulations on the size of the deposit.
The specialist lenders we have access to will take any defaults into account, and offer us special rates to help get you into a mortgage. A default is a serious but not insurmountable obstacle by any means when it comes to getting a mortgage.
Can a default be removed from my credit history?
Yes, after six years a default can be removed from your credit file if it has been resolved. A lot of people don’t even realise they have a default registered to them. Many occur during the hectic time of a house move; when moving from one property to another, it is easy to miss utility bills on the old address and this can unintentionally give you a default on those payments.
Getting defaults registered to you is annoying, especially if unintentional, but a lender takes into account the severity of the default.
Getting a bad credit mortgage with a CCJ
It’s fair to say that a CCJ is serious business; this is when a creditor has had to take you to court to force you to pay back the money you owe.
If you’ve had to deal with a CCJ and you need a mortgage, you will certainly face a few more hurdles, sorry but that’s just the way it is. Several factors will come to bear when looking at your mortgage options. Getting a mortgage with a CCJ depends on:
- The severity of the CCJ
- The amount outstanding on the CCJ
- When the CCJ was registered
If you have dealt with a CCJ in the past, when it was paid back and how long ago will also be taken into account.
When you get a CCJ, you have to appear before a judge. If the judge believes the CCJ is warranted you will have to come to an arrangement with the creditor to pay back the loan in instalments or all at once.
CCJs are registered to your credit file for six years, whether you pay it off or not.
There is some good news with a CCJ. If you are able to pay it off within a month of it being registered you can apply to have it removed from your credit file. Obviously, if you are able to do this, you should. If your CCJ is settled after this amount of time then it will stay on your credit file for six years. After six years it is removed from your file automatically.
That is to say that you still need to pay it off, it won’t just disappear after six years. If you do not pay it back, you will be open to further action by the court, so ignoring a CCJ isn’t really an option and definitely not something we recommend!
Much like with defaulted loans, a CCJ effects the lenders you have access to, the interest rates offered and the amount of deposit you’ll be expected to put down. Give us a call to talk things through; your options will depend on the factors mentioned above and it’s easier to give you a more definite answer if we know your specific details.
Debt Consolidation Mortgages
You can borrow money against your property to consolidate your debts. This makes many loan repayments manageable by consolidating them into one single loan to repay any unsecured loans you may have.
This helps you to budget more effectively; giving you the ability to pay back what you owe over a longer period of time. However, it should be noted that this usually lowers the equity in your property and puts your home at risk if you were to miss repayments.
Consolidating debt may reduce your outgoings in the short term but means you will be paying more interest over time. It’s a delicate balancing act and one you need to think about carefully. Working with one of our mortgage advisors, we can talk you through your options and ensure that you make an informed decision.
Borrowing against your mortgage requires a lot of thought before you decide to do it, but it can help get those debts paid off and improve your credit score.
Getting a bad credit mortgage with a Debt Management Plan (DMP)
It is a challenge to get a mortgage if you are on a DMP but far from impossible. We enjoy a challenge and specialise in helping people in financial difficulty.
Having a DMP is a great way to get yourself out of the mire of financial trouble. It’s an informal agreement you’ll have with your creditors to pay back your loans at a reduced rate but for a longer period of time. This increases the time you’ll be paying back the money but makes it much more manageable.
When a lender looks at your credit history, they also look at how well you have been managing your debt. Having a DMP shows the lender that you have been in some sort of financial distress but are actively trying to do something about it.
If you are going to look at getting a bad credit mortgage while on a DMP, then you may need to provide additional documentation to the lender to explain the reasons for needing a DMP. This also shows the lender that you have been making the repayments on time, which helps to show that you are less of a risk.
Getting a bad credit mortgage with an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)
If you have an IVA, you’ll be paying off the debt on unsecured loans with your creditors over a set period of time. During the time you are in an IVA, your mortgage options will be more limited because you will be seen as a higher risk to lenders.
The best thing to do is look to get a bad credit mortgage after you have finished your IVA. Even after this period has ended, most lenders will require you to have a 30% deposit, though this does change from lender to lender.
An IVA remains on your credit file for six years and it’s important to select a specialist broker, like us, to deal with your mortgage needs. We have access to specialist lenders that assess the risk of your personal financial situation, and the ways you have dealt with your debt and give you a choice of rates based on these circumstances.
Can I remortgage with bad credit?
Yes. As with pretty much everything else discussed around needing a bad credit mortgage, we need to speak to you to assess your individual circumstances. Finding the best remortgage deal is dependent on what your financial situation is, but you should know it is possible to switch to a new lender or enter into a new deal with your current lender, even with bad credit.
There is also the option of a second-charge mortgage. This is when you keep your existing mortgage and take out a second secured loan against the value of your property. This option is a helpful alternative for those with bad credit so speak to your mortgage broker about this and we can run through the pros and cons to see if it is the right solution for you.
Bad credit mortgages for first-time buyers
Many first-time buyers don’t have a great credit score due to never having a credit card. Mortgages for first-time buyers also tend to have better interest rates to help you get on the property ladder and manage the monthly repayments easier.
As mentioned above, there are a few simple things you can do to improve your credit score, such as using a credit card to purchase smaller products and services and pay them off every month.
If you need a bad credit mortgage and are a first-time buyer, there are still many options. Mortgages for bad credit first-time buyers are obtainable through our specialist lenders. Whether you have a poor credit score, loan defaults or even CCJs, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll work tirelessly to get you the perfect mortgage deal you didn’t even know existed.
Bad Credit Mortgage FAQ’s
Yes, mortgage brokers work with various lenders, including those who specialise in bad credit. They can help you find the most suitable product for your circumstances and improve your mortgage application’s chances of success.
Yes, you can still get a mortgage with a CCJ, although it may be more challenging. The severity of the CCJ, how recently it was registered, and the amount owed will impact lender decisions.
Your credit report shows your financial conduct, including any missed payments, defaults, or bankruptcies. A strong report can improve your chances of being accepted for a mortgage, while negative marks might make it more difficult.
Defaults impact your ability to secure a mortgage, but specialist lenders might still offer options, especially if the defaults are older or you have a larger deposit. Each lender assesses risk differently.
A bad credit mortgage, also known as an adverse credit or subprime mortgage, is a standard mortgage that is available to those with poor credit. It typically has higher interest rates and may require a larger deposit. These mortgages work similarly to regular mortgages.
A default can be removed after six years if resolved. It’s advisable to routinely check your credit report to ensure its accuracy.
Yes, some lenders may accept a guarantor to improve your mortgage approval chances. The guarantor must have a strong credit profile.
Yes, remortgaging is possible with bad credit, but options may be limited. Consulting a mortgage broker can help identify potential lenders willing to consider your application.
A DMP is an informal agreement to pay back loans at a reduced rate. It can complicate mortgage borrowing, but some lenders may offer options if you show regular payments and financial improvements.
You can join the electoral roll, regularly pay off credit balances, avoid payday loans, and ensure any credit associations have a good financial status. It’s better to build a strong credit history.
Consolidating debt with your mortgage may lead to lower monthly payments but increases the risk of losing your home if you default. It should be considered with caution. Warning: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.
You’ll usually need photo ID, an address history, proof of income (like payslips), and recent bank statements. Each lender may have specific requirements.
An IVA is a legal agreement to pay debts over time. It remains on your credit file for six years and can limit mortgage options, though some lenders might offer specialised products.
Identity theft can negatively affect your credit score. However, you can dispute fraudulent activities and must provide proof of your non-involvement.
After discharge from bankruptcy, getting a mortgage is challenging but possible, especially with a larger deposit. Most lenders require you to wait at least a year post-discharge.
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