How to Get a Mortgage with No Credit History: Tips and Options Explained
Getting a mortgage without a credit history can feel daunting — but it’s entirely possible.
If you’ve never borrowed before, you may have what lenders call a “thin credit file.” That doesn’t necessarily mean bad credit — it simply means there’s not enough recorded information for lenders to assess how you handle money.
At Mortgage Bridge, we help clients in this exact position — including first-time buyers, young professionals, and those who’ve always preferred to stay debt-free. Here’s how to get a mortgage with no credit history and what you can do to strengthen your application.
What Does It Mean to Have No Credit History?
Having no credit history means you haven’t used credit products like:
- Credit cards
- Loans or finance agreements
- Mobile phone contracts in your name
- Overdrafts
- Store credit or buy-now-pay-later accounts
Because lenders rely on your credit report to gauge your financial reliability, having no record makes it harder for them to assess your risk.
However, not having a credit history isn’t necessarily negative — it just means lenders need other ways to understand how you manage your money.
Why Lenders Rely on Credit History
When assessing a mortgage application, lenders want evidence of:
- Consistency: Regular repayments and predictable income.
- Reliability: Meeting financial obligations on time.
- Affordability: Managing your spending and savings well.
Credit history gives lenders confidence. Without it, they’ll look for alternative indicators of financial stability — such as strong income, a good deposit, or clean bank statements.
💡 We cover this in more depth in our guide: “What Do Mortgage Lenders Look for on Bank Statements.”
Can You Get a Mortgage with No Credit History?
Yes — you can still get a mortgage with no credit history, though your options may be more limited.
Some high-street lenders may hesitate because they rely heavily on automated scoring systems. However, specialist lenders are more flexible and take a manual underwriting approach — meaning a real person reviews your situation in full.
They’ll focus on:
- Your employment and income stability
- Your savings and deposit amount
- Your account conduct and spending habits
- Whether you’re registered on the electoral roll
💡 At Mortgage Bridge, we work directly with these specialist lenders to help clients without credit history access fair, realistic mortgage options.
Why You Might Have No Credit History
You may have little or no credit record if you:
- Have never had a credit card, loan, or overdraft
- Always paid bills under someone else’s name (e.g., a partner or parent)
- Recently moved from another country
- Are young or a first-time buyer
- Prefer to live within your means and avoid borrowing
While all of these are financially sensible behaviours, they can leave lenders with limited data to evaluate.
How to Build Credit Before Applying
If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage soon, there are several ways to build your credit history without taking on unnecessary debt.
1. Register on the Electoral Roll
This helps lenders confirm your identity and address history — a crucial first step.
2. Open a Credit-Building Card
Use it for small, regular purchases and pay it off in full each month. This shows you can manage credit responsibly.
3. Pay Bills in Your Own Name
Make sure your mobile, utility, and streaming service bills are registered to you — and paid on time.
4. Keep Accounts Active
If you already have a bank account or direct debit setup, continue using it regularly. Inactivity can result in your file showing limited data.
5. Avoid Multiple Applications
Too many credit checks in a short period can reduce your score or create confusion for lenders. Apply for credit selectively.
💡 Give yourself at least three to six months to build a traceable payment record before applying for a mortgage.
What Lenders Look For Instead of Credit History
When you don’t have a credit history, lenders place more weight on other aspects of your financial profile, such as:
- Income stability: Steady employment or long-term self-employment.
- Deposit size: The higher your deposit, the lower the risk for the lender.
- Bank statements: Consistent account conduct and no signs of financial stress.
- Rental history: Regular rent payments can be used to prove reliability.
Some lenders even offer 0% deposit mortgages for applicants with strong rental payment records, showing that monthly repayments would be affordable and sustainable.
How Much Deposit Do You Need with No Credit History?
Most lenders prefer at least a 5% deposit, but with no credit history, a slightly larger deposit can help strengthen your case.
Here are some typical options:
- 5% Deposit: Possible with stable income and clean account conduct.
- 2–2.5% Deposit: Some specialist lenders accept smaller deposits if other areas are strong.
- 0% Deposit Shared Ownership: Available on select properties (subject to housing association approval).
💡 Your broker can help identify lenders who accept smaller deposits for applicants with limited credit data.
How to Improve Your Mortgage Approval Chances
If you’re applying for a mortgage with no credit history, focus on presenting a clear, well-documented application.
✅ Do:
- Provide recent payslips and employment evidence
- Keep your bank statements clean and consistent
- Save a clear, traceable deposit
- Stay within your overdraft limit or avoid it entirely
- Work with a broker who understands lender criteria
❌ Don’t:
- Apply to multiple lenders at once
- Open new credit accounts right before applying
- Make large, unexplained transfers between accounts
💡 A broker like Mortgage Bridge can help you prepare your documents, anticipate questions, and match you to the right lender.
Real Example: First Mortgage Without Credit History
One client came to us after saving diligently for years but never using credit. Their application was declined by a major bank due to “insufficient credit data.”
We reviewed their bank statements, confirmed their rent payment history, and approached a specialist lender that accepted their strong income and deposit as evidence of financial reliability.
Their mortgage was approved within weeks — without needing to build credit first.
How Mortgage Bridge Can Help
At Mortgage Bridge, we understand that not having credit doesn’t mean being financially irresponsible.
We’ve helped many clients with limited or no credit history find suitable lenders and secure fair mortgage terms.
We can:
- Review your financial profile and advise how to strengthen it
- Match you with lenders who manually assess applications
- Present your case clearly to improve approval rates
- Guide you from preparation through to completion
Let’s explore your options together.