Can You Get a Mortgage with a Low Credit Score and No Guarantor?
Getting a mortgage with a low credit score and no guarantor can feel impossible — but it’s not. At Mortgage Bridge, we help people in this exact situation every day. Whether your credit score has taken a hit due to missed payments, defaults, or other bumps along the way, there are still routes to homeownership without needing someone to back your loan.
In this guide, we’ll break down how low credit affects your chances, what lenders really look for, and how to strengthen your application — even if you don’t have a guarantor.
What Does a Low Credit Score Mean for Your Mortgage Application?
A low credit score tells lenders you’ve had some challenges managing credit in the past. This could come from missed payments, defaults, payday loans, or high credit utilisation.
But it’s important to know: a low score doesn’t automatically mean rejection. Different lenders use different scoring systems, and some are much more flexible — especially those who specialise in helping applicants with adverse credit.
We work with many specialist lenders who take a fairer view of your situation. They’ll look at when your credit issues happened, what caused them, and what’s changed since. If you’ve started rebuilding, that goes a long way.
Can You Still Get a Mortgage Without a Guarantor?
Yes, absolutely.
A guarantor isn’t a must — it’s just one possible way to strengthen an application. Plenty of borrowers get approved without one, even with imperfect credit. Instead of relying on a guarantor, lenders focus on three main areas:
- Your income and affordability – Can you comfortably afford the monthly repayments?
- Your deposit – The more you can put down, the less risky you appear.
- Your recent financial behaviour – Steady income, paid bills, and consistent saving all help.
If those areas look positive, your lack of a guarantor won’t stop you.
How Big a Deposit Do I Need If My Credit Is Low?
Typically, you’ll need a slightly larger deposit if your credit score is low — usually around 15–25% of the property’s value.
A bigger deposit reassures lenders and can open up better rates, even with credit issues. That said, there are still options at 10% or sometimes even 5% if your adverse credit is mild or a few years old.
If you’re struggling to save a deposit, we can look at alternatives such as family gifted deposits or shared ownership. Both can make the numbers work without needing a guarantor.
What Types of Credit Issues Can You Still Get a Mortgage With?
Many people assume that bad credit means an automatic “no” from lenders — but that’s far from true.
We regularly help clients with:
- Missed or late payments
- Defaults or CCJs (County Court Judgments)
- Debt Management Plans
- Previous bankruptcy or IVAs
- Payday loans
Each lender views these differently. For example, some will consider applicants with defaults that are more than a year old, while others prefer to see at least two years since any serious issue. The key is knowing which lender to approach — that’s where we come in.
What Do Lenders Look for If You Have a Low Credit Score?
Lenders don’t just rely on your credit number. They review your whole financial picture, including:
- Income stability – Are you in consistent employment or running a stable business?
- Bank statements – Do they show responsible spending and regular savings?
- Debt levels – Are you managing existing credit well?
- Deposit size – A higher deposit offsets risk.
We always review your situation before applying, making sure your case is presented clearly and confidently. Sometimes, it’s just about showing the story behind your credit score.
Can You Improve Your Mortgage Chances Before Applying?
Yes — and sometimes a few simple steps can make a big difference.
Here’s what we often recommend to our clients before applying:
- Check your credit reports with all three agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Fix any errors and make sure everything’s up to date.
- Keep all payments on time — especially rent, credit cards, and utilities.
- Avoid new borrowing in the months before applying.
- Reduce your credit balances if you can — lenders prefer lower utilisation.
- Stay within your overdraft limit or avoid using it if possible.
These actions help show that your finances are back on track — even if your score still looks low.
How Does Income Type Affect Your Chances?
If you’re self-employed, a contractor, or have a variable income, lenders may ask for more evidence of stability.
For employees, that usually means recent payslips and a P60. For self-employed applicants, lenders typically request two or three years of accounts or tax returns, although some specialist lenders accept just one year.
We’ll help you gather the right documents and explain your income clearly to lenders so they see the full picture — especially if your income doesn’t fit a standard 9-to-5 pattern.
Are There Specialist Lenders for Low Credit Mortgages?
Yes — and they’re often your best route.
While high-street banks tend to stick to strict credit policies, specialist lenders are much more open-minded. They look at why credit problems happened and how you’ve managed things since.
For example:
- If you had a default two years ago but everything’s been clean since, there are lenders who’ll consider you.
- If you’re in a Debt Management Plan, some lenders may still accept you if your payments have been consistent.
We work with many of these lenders every day, so we know where your case will be best received.
What Are the Mortgage Rates Like for Low Credit Applicants?
Rates for low credit mortgages are usually higher than standard ones — at least initially.
That’s because lenders price in the extra risk. However, once you’ve built a track record of managing your mortgage well, you can often remortgage later onto a better rate.
Think of it as a stepping stone: get your foot on the ladder now, rebuild your credit with steady payments, and improve your deal down the line.
What If My Bank Has Already Said No?
Don’t worry — that’s extremely common.
High-street lenders often have rigid rules and automated systems that decline anyone outside the “perfect” profile. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage.
We regularly help clients who’ve been turned down elsewhere. The difference is that we match you with lenders who actually understand your circumstances rather than judging you on a number.
If your bank said no, it just means you haven’t found the right lender yet — not that it’s impossible.
Can I Get a Mortgage with a Low Credit Score and No Guarantor If I’m a First-Time Buyer?
Yes, you can.
Many of our first-time buyer clients start with less-than-perfect credit and no guarantor. It might take a little more preparation — such as building up a larger deposit or showing a strong rental payment history — but it’s entirely achievable.
Some lenders even offer specialist first-time buyer mortgages for applicants with previous credit issues, so you’re not alone.
If you’d like, we can help you understand how much you might be able to borrow and what steps to take next.
What Should I Do If My Application Gets Declined?
If your application has been declined, the best thing you can do is pause and review. Don’t rush to make lots of new applications — that can damage your credit score further.
Instead:
- Ask for feedback on why it was declined.
- Fix any issues identified (for example, missed payments or affordability concerns).
- Speak to a broker who knows the adverse credit market — like us at Mortgage Bridge.
We’ll help you regroup and reapply strategically, not reactively.
How We Can Help at Mortgage Bridge
At Mortgage Bridge, we specialise in helping people who don’t fit the standard boxes — whether that’s a low credit score, complex income, or no guarantor support.
We’ll:
- Review your credit situation and guide you on improvements.
- Match you with the right lenders for your specific circumstances.
- Handle the paperwork and present your application in the best possible light.
We’ve seen every kind of situation — and more importantly, we’ve helped people in all of them get approved. If you’d like to explore what’s possible, we’re here to help.
Let’s find out what could work for you.
Key Takeaways
- You can get a mortgage with a low credit score and no guarantor.
- A larger deposit (15–25%) improves your chances.
- Specialist lenders often provide the best options.
- Good recent financial behaviour matters more than old credit issues.
- With the right help, homeownership is still achievable.