Can You Get a Mortgage with Bad Credit? Expert Tips for Securing a Mortgage with a Low Credit Score

If you’ve had credit issues in the past — such as missed payments, defaults, or even a county court judgment (CCJ) — you might wonder: can you get a mortgage with bad credit?

The good news is yes, you can. While a low credit score can make things trickier, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be declined. Today, more lenders than ever offer mortgages tailored to borrowers with imperfect credit.

At Mortgage Bridge, we help clients secure mortgages every week despite adverse credit histories. Here’s everything you need to know about how lenders assess credit, what you can do to improve your chances, and which options might suit you.

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What Does Bad Credit Mean for a Mortgage Application?

“Bad credit” simply means your credit history shows past financial challenges — not that you’re unfit for a mortgage.

Your credit report records your borrowing and repayment history from the last six years, including:

• Missed or late payments
• Defaults and CCJs
• Debt management plans (DMPs)
• Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs)
• Bankruptcy or insolvency
• Payday loans

Lenders use this information to assess how reliably you’re likely to repay a mortgage.

💡 However, every lender interprets credit history differently — and many are happy to lend if your recent behaviour shows improvement.

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How Far Back Do Lenders Check Your Credit History?

Most lenders review the last six years of your credit record. That said, older issues carry less weight — particularly if they’ve been settled and your current financial management looks good.

They’ll look for:

• Recency: How long ago the issue occurred.
• Severity: Whether the issue involved a small missed payment or something larger, like bankruptcy.
• Resolution: Has the debt been cleared or is it ongoing?
• Consistency: Have you maintained stable finances since then?

Specialist lenders often focus on your current affordability rather than your past problems.

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Can You Get a Mortgage with Bad Credit?

Yes — it’s absolutely possible.

While high-street banks are usually stricter, specialist lenders exist specifically for people with less-than-perfect credit. These lenders take a more flexible, human approach to assessing your circumstances.

They’ll consider:

• How recent your credit issues are
• Whether you’ve since demonstrated financial stability
• Your employment and income consistency
• The size of your deposit

💡 At Mortgage Bridge, we work with a wide range of these specialist lenders — many of which aren’t available directly to consumers.

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What Type of Credit Problems Can Lenders Accept?

Here’s what some lenders may accept depending on your overall profile:

Credit Issue	Typical Lender View
Missed payments	Often acceptable if over 6–12 months ago
Defaults or CCJs	Considered if satisfied, or older than 2 years
Debt Management Plan (DMP)	Some lenders will consider active or completed DMPs
IVA or Bankruptcy	Accepted once discharged (often after 12–36 months)
Payday loans	Viewed cautiously, but not always an automatic decline

Each case is reviewed individually — meaning even with multiple issues, there’s often a suitable route forward.

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How to Improve Your Chances of Approval

If your credit score isn’t ideal, preparation is key. Here’s how to boost your profile before applying.

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1. Check Your Credit Report Thoroughly

Use a multi-agency service such as Checkmyfile to review data from Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, and Crediva.

Check for:

• Errors or outdated information
• Linked accounts with ex-partners
• Old addresses
• Duplicate entries

If you find mistakes, request corrections before you apply.

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2. Reduce Outstanding Debts

Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio — how much of your monthly income goes toward repaying credit.

To improve affordability:

• Pay down small debts first
• Avoid taking on new credit before applying
• Make payments on time
• Keep credit card balances below 50% of your limit

Even modest reductions in your debt can significantly boost lender confidence.

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3. Save a Larger Deposit (If Possible)

The bigger your deposit, the lower the lender’s risk — and the better your chances.

Typical deposit requirements for bad credit applicants:

• 2.5% deposit – possible for mild or improving credit issues
• 5–10% deposit – standard with many specialist lenders
• 15–25% deposit – for severe or recent adverse credit
• 0% Shared Ownership or Rent-to-Buy – available with select housing associations (subject to approval)

💡 Even a slightly higher deposit can unlock access to more favourable lenders and rates.

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4. Show Financial Stability

Lenders want reassurance that your finances are consistent. That includes:

• Regular employment or stable self-employment income
• Predictable outgoings
• Bank statements showing good account conduct (no unauthorised overdrafts or missed payments)

💡 We explain this further in our guide “What Do Mortgage Lenders Look for on Bank Statements.”

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5. Avoid Multiple Credit Applications

Each credit application leaves a footprint on your report. Too many in a short time can make lenders think you’re in financial difficulty.

Instead, work with a broker who can identify suitable lenders and carry out soft searches that don’t harm your score.

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Specialist Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders

There are lenders who specialise in helping borrowers with complex financial histories — often using manual underwriting, where a person (not an algorithm) reviews your case.

These lenders consider the story behind your credit file — not just the score — and look for evidence of recovery and control.

💡 At Mortgage Bridge, we have access to many of these specialist lenders and can guide you through which one suits your situation best.

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Real Example: Approved with a CCJ

A client came to us after being declined by a high-street bank due to a CCJ from three years prior.

We reviewed their credit, found the CCJ was satisfied, and placed their application with a specialist lender who accepted older, resolved issues.

The result? Approval within two weeks and a fair rate reflecting their recent financial stability.

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How Mortgage Bridge Can Help

At Mortgage Bridge, we understand that credit scores don’t tell the full story.

We work with a wide range of lenders who look beyond the numbers — focusing instead on your real financial situation today.

We’ll:

• Review your credit report and highlight strengths
• Recommend practical steps to improve your profile
• Match you with lenders most likely to approve your application
• Handle the full process from start to finish

No matter your past financial history, we’ll help you take the right steps toward securing your next mortgage.

Let’s explore your options together.