Mortgage After a CCJ: How Long You Need to Wait & What Lenders Look For
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) on your credit report can feel like a major obstacle, especially if you’re planning to apply for a mortgage. But many buyers secure a mortgage after a CCJ, provided the lender understands the context and can see improved financial behaviour since the judgment.
This guide explains how long you may need to wait after a CCJ, how different lenders treat CCJs, and what steps can help strengthen your application. This article provides general information only and does not offer regulated mortgage advice.
How Long Should You Wait Before Applying for a Mortgage After a CCJ?
There is no fixed waiting period, but lender flexibility increases as the CCJ ages.
CCJ Less Than 12 Months Old
- Most restrictive timeframe
- Many high-street lenders automatically decline
- Specialist lenders may still consider
- Larger deposits often required (20–30%)
Recent CCJs make lenders cautious because they signal recent financial difficulty.
CCJ 1–2 Years Old
- Some specialist lenders open up
- Approvals possible with moderate deposits (15–25%)
- Clean bank statements and recent conduct are essential
Lenders evaluate whether the issue was a one-off event.
CCJ 2–4 Years Old
- Wider choice of specialist lenders
- Some high-street lenders may consider
- Deposit requirements may reduce (10–20%)
Consistency since the CCJ becomes the deciding factor.
CCJ 4–6 Years Old
- Often acceptable to mainstream lenders
- Deposit requirements may return to standard levels (5–15%)
- A settled CCJ is strongly preferred
At this stage, the CCJ is considered historic, especially if settled early.
CCJ Over 6 Years Old
- Automatically drops off your credit file
- Does not appear on standard lender checks
- Treated as if it never occurred
You may be assessed like any other applicant, depending on other factors.
Does Settling a CCJ Change the Waiting Time?
Settling a CCJ often improves your mortgage options sooner.
Benefits of settling include:
- Shows responsibility in resolving debts
- Adds positive scoring to your credit profile
- Increases acceptance with specialist and high-street lenders
- May reduce deposit requirements
If a CCJ is settled within one month of being issued, it can be removed entirely from your credit file.
What Lenders Look for When Assessing a Mortgage After a CCJ
Lenders examine your overall financial profile, not just the CCJ.
1. Age and Value of the CCJ
Older and lower-value CCJs are less concerning.
Telecom CCJs, for example, may be treated more leniently than loan defaults.
2. Number of CCJs
One CCJ is manageable.
Multiple CCJs may reduce lender choice and increase deposit requirements.
3. Recent Financial Conduct
This is often more important than the CCJ itself.
Lenders assess:
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- Payment behaviour in the last 6–12 months
- Overdraft usage
- Returned payments
- Credit utilisation
- Stability of income
Clean recent behaviour can outweigh older issues.
4. Whether the CCJ Has Been Settled
Settled CCJs are always viewed more positively.
5. Income and Employment Stability
Lenders want to see reliable, predictable income patterns.
- Employed applicants: recent payslips and P60s
- Self-employed applicants: company accounts or SA302s
6. Affordability
Your CCJ does not automatically reduce how much you can borrow, but:
- Higher debt levels
- High credit commitments
- Overdraft reliance
…can affect affordability modelling.
7. Deposit Size
The larger your deposit, the more flexible lenders tend to be.
How Deposit Size Affects Mortgage Approval After a CCJ
Deposit expectations vary depending on timing and severity.
Deposit Guide Based on CCJ Age
- < 12 months old: 20–30% deposit
- 1–2 years old: 15–25% deposit
- 2–4 years old: 10–20% deposit
- 4–6 years old: 5–15% deposit
Every extra 5% deposit typically increases lender options.
High-Street vs Specialist Lenders: How They Compare
High-Street Lenders
More likely to accept:
- CCJs over 3–4 years old
- Settled CCJs
- Low-value CCJs
Usually decline:
- Recent CCJs
- Multiple CCJs
- Unsettled CCJs
Specialist Lenders
More flexible with:
- Recent CCJs
- Higher-value CCJs
- Multiple CCJs
- Unsettled CCJs
- Applicants with irregular income
They use manual underwriting and assess your whole financial situation.
Common Scenarios and Likely Outcomes
Scenario 1: CCJ from 5 years ago, settled
Often acceptable to mainstream lenders at standard LTVs.
Scenario 2: CCJ from 2 years ago, settled, strong income
Likely accepted by specialist lenders; deposit around 10–15%.
Scenario 3: Recent CCJ from last 9 months
Most likely a specialist lender case with 20–30% deposit.
Scenario 4: Multiple CCJs aged 3 years
Specialist lenders may consider; larger deposit likely required.
Scenario 5: CCJ removed after 6 years
Assessed as though it never occurred.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Mortgage After a CCJ
(General Information Only)
1. Settle the CCJ if possible
This increases your lender options significantly.
2. Keep all other payments up to date
Lenders heavily prioritise your most recent 6–12 months.
3. Avoid new credit applications
Multiple searches can reduce lender confidence.
4. Reduce credit utilisation
Helps improve credit score and affordability.
5. Build a bigger deposit
Even an extra 5% can unlock more favourable lenders.
6. Prepare documentation early
Including:
- Bank statements
- Proof of settlement
- CCJ documentation
- Payslips or accounts
7. Provide a clear explanation
Underwriters appreciate honest, factual context — such as redundancy, illness, or disputes.
Summary
Securing a mortgage after a CCJ is entirely possible, but timing matters. The older the CCJ, the wider the lender choice and the lower the deposit required. Lenders focus on:
- Age and value of the CCJ
- Whether it is settled
- Recent financial behaviour
- Income stability
- Affordability
- Deposit level
Specialist lenders offer solutions for recent or multiple CCJs, while high-street lenders may consider older, settled CCJs. With strong preparation, many applicants successfully obtain mortgages after past credit issues.
This article provides general information only. For personalised guidance, regulated mortgage advice is required.
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Important information: Mortgage Bridge provides information only and acts as a mortgage introducer. We do not provide mortgage advice or make lender recommendations. We can introduce you to an FCA-regulated mortgage adviser who can provide personalised mortgage advice.