Time Since a CCJ: Mortgage Assessment and Payment Status

The time since a CCJ may form part of a mortgage lender’s assessment alongside payment status, other credit information, income, expenditure and the proposed borrowing. There is no universal waiting period after which someone qualifies for a mortgage.

This guide concerns CCJs in England and Wales. Court procedures and terminology differ elsewhere in the UK. Mortgage availability depends on individual circumstances, supporting evidence, affordability and the lender’s current criteria. Acceptance is not guaranteed.

Time since a CCJ and the reporting period

Visual explanation: ccj dates

A CCJ normally remains on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines and on credit reports for six years from the judgment date. There are important distinctions:

• Paid in full within one calendar month: the judgment can be removed from the register. Proof of full payment must be provided to the court. Once notified by the court, Registry Trust removes the entry and notifies credit reference agencies.
• Paid in full after one calendar month: the register can be marked “satisfied”, but the entry normally remains for the rest of the six-year period from the judgment date.
• Partly paid: partial payment is not the same as full satisfaction. Registry Trust states that it does not hold partial-settlement information.

The six-year reporting period is not a mortgage eligibility timetable. Removal of an entry does not establish that a lender will approve an application.

Why may the age and status of a CCJ matter?

A lender may consider when the judgment was made, its amount, whether it has been fully paid and whether there are other judgments or credit issues. The significance of each factor depends on the lender’s assessment and criteria at the time.

There is no reliable general rule that applications become acceptable after six months, one year or another fixed interval. An older or satisfied CCJ does not guarantee acceptance, and an explanation of the circumstances does not override lending criteria.

A credit report and a mortgage application form may ask for different information. Any questions about previous judgments need to be answered accurately within their stated scope, including where they cover a period beyond what appears on a current credit report.

Eligibility, affordability and suitability are different

• Eligibility: whether an application meets a lender’s requirements, including its credit-history, property and borrowing criteria. Meeting initial criteria does not guarantee a mortgage offer.
• Affordability: whether repayments can be maintained. Lenders assess income and expenditure under applicable rules, including relevant financial commitments and foreseeable changes.
• Suitability: whether a mortgage recommendation is appropriate for an individual’s needs and circumstances. When mortgage advice is provided, this is assessed by an adviser acting through an FCA-authorised and regulated network.

A CCJ’s age or removal from a credit report does not establish any of these on its own. A lender’s willingness to lend does not by itself establish suitability.

What other information may be relevant?

Depending on the application, a lender may require evidence of income, expenditure, existing debts, deposit funds, property details and the current position of a judgment. Assessment methods and evidence requirements vary.

There is no standard deposit percentage that guarantees acceptance where there has been a CCJ. Deposit requirements depend on the lender, the property, the proposed borrowing and individual circumstances. A larger deposit does not remove the need for credit and affordability assessments.

Where is help available?

GOV.UK explains how judgment records can be removed or marked as satisfied and how to contact the court if register information is wrong. This article does not recommend paying, partly paying or disputing a judgment to obtain a mortgage.

Free, independent debt advice is available through MoneyHelper’s debt advice locator. A debt adviser can explain options for dealing with payment difficulties.

If borrowing against a home is being considered to repay debts, securing previously unsecured debts increases the risk to the home. Lower monthly payments do not necessarily mean lower total costs: longer repayment terms and fees can increase the total amount repaid.

Mortgage Bridge’s role and referral payment

Mortgage Bridge provides general information and administrative support and can introduce customers to an adviser. Any review of information by Mortgage Bridge is administrative only; it is not a lending decision or an assessment of mortgage eligibility, affordability or suitability.

Mortgage Bridge has commercial relationships with receiving firms and receives a percentage of the adviser’s commission when an introduced case completes. An introduction does not guarantee a mortgage offer or completion.

Read more about Mortgage Bridge, our terms and conditions and our privacy policy.

Sources and review date

• GOV.UK: CCJs and your credit rating
• Registry Trust: County Court Judgments
• Experian: CCJs and credit reports
• FCA Handbook: responsible lending
• FCA Handbook: mortgage advice and suitability
• MoneyHelper: debt consolidation risks and costs

Last reviewed: 24 October 2026. Information and lender criteria may change. This guide provides general information only and is not a personal recommendation.