What is a bad credit mortgage?
Bad credit mortgages are for people with a less than perfect credit background.
Essentially, they give people who have had financial problems in the past an opportunity to get a mortgage product. This means they will be able start their plans, whether that is to buy a house or release money from their existing property by remortgaging.
Having bad credit increases the risk to lenders, as it shows you may have had financial problems in the past, and therefore could struggle to make repayments.
To reduce these risks, many lenders may charge higher interest rates. In some cases, often with high street lenders, they may not lend to you at all.
We believe that everyone should be able to get the finance they need, regardless of their past. So, we work closely with a range of specialist lenders to offer solutions to people who have been declined by the high street.
What can cause bad credit?
There are a number of different factors which can cause a bad, poor or adverse credit background. It can be a result of:
- Missed or late payments on loans, credit cards and mortgages
- County court judgements (CCJs)
- Accounts in default
- Bankruptcy
- Debt management plans
- IVAs
Whatever the cause, our team are always here to advise and guide you in the right direction, helping you to make an accurate decision based on your situation.
How to get a mortgage with bad credit
Getting a mortgage with bad credit or a low credit score can be more complex, so it is important to try and get a few things organised first.
- Assess your credit record – Your first step should be to understand what is actually showing up on your credit record. In doing so, you will have a better idea of which companies will be able to help you.
- Think about your deposit (if you are buying a house) – The higher the deposit, the less of a risk you are. So, it is worth trying to save up as much as possible. By doing this, you may improve your chances of getting accepted.
- Reduce the number of credit searches – When you’ve submitted an application to borrow money, a credit search will be performed on you. Although this is standard, if you submit lots of applications with different providers and you are rejected, this can show up on your credit record. This could cause further problems down the line. Therefore, it is important to try and avoid having too many hard credit searches.
- Speak to an expert – Talking with one of our qualified mortgage advisors can help you understand what options are available to you.
If you're having financial problems, it's a good idea to reach out to your current creditors for help. They may be able to offer support or arrange alternative repayment plans. For extra support, you could also contact MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) who offer free advice.
How do I apply?
Call us for FREE or enquire using the button below.
Don't forget – making an enquiry will not affect your credit rating in any way!
Applying for a mortgage with credit problems
The application process is similar for every customer, whether you have good or bad credit. You can apply either by phone or through our online form.
- Start by making an enquiry to our team either by calling us or by using our online form.
- You will need to answer some questions first, so we can understand your circumstances in order to find a product that fits.
- We will search our database to try and find you the best possible product for your circumstances.
- If we find a suitable product, we will talk this through with you so you can decide if it is the right fit.
Our advisors are here to support you every step of the way. If any concerns or uncertainties arise, they’re on hand to ease these.
Types of bad credit mortgages:
Some of the products that may be available include:
Mortgages with a CCJ
A CCJ or county court judgement is a type of court order, which can be registered against a person who has not met repayments. They can be harmful to your credit profile and can make it difficult to get a product. Luckily, our panel of specialist lenders have solutions which can help, meaning you may be able to get a mortgage with a CCJ.
Mortgages with a default
A default is where a person’s account is closed down, because they have failed to make repayments. For example, if you repeatedly forget or fail to pay your mobile phone contract, the provider may decide to close your account. In this case, your account would be considered in default. Lenders may be less likely to offer you a loan if you have defaults, as it signals you could be a risky person to lend to. However, our panel of lenders have products with flexible criteria, so we may be able to get you a mortgage with a default.
Mortgages with late payments
If you have missed or late payments on your credit record, you may be considered a higher financial risk. Therefore, many lenders may be reluctant to offer you products. Our lenders take a more relaxed approach when it comes to assessing cases. This means they are often comfortable with lending even if you have missed or late payments on your credit profile. So, we may be able to help you get a mortgage after late payments.
Whilst it is still possible to get a mortgage with credit issues, it is worth noting the options may be more limited and interest rates may be higher.
Do high-street lenders offer bad credit mortgages?
The criteria varies between different high street lenders, with some being more relaxed than others. Therefore, it depends on the provider you go with.
Generally, they have more strict criteria than specialist mortgage providers. This can make it more difficult to get approved with a high street lender if you have bad credit.
However, if you have only missed the odd payment on small balance credit items or it has been a long time since you missed any repayments, they may be more willing to accept you.
But, if your adverse credit is recent or if your credit background is very poor, you are unlikely to find a high street provider willing to lend to you.
Despite this, there are many other specialist mortgage brokers, like us, who can help you find a product.
We have a panel of lenders who take a more flexible approach to lending, which means you are more likely to get accepted, even with a poor credit background.
How can a bad credit mortgage broker help?
If you have a bad credit history, your borrowing options can be limited, and it may feel like there are only a few lenders who might be able to help. Finding these lenders can be a challenge, especially if you're not familiar with the market. That’s where we come in.
As a bad credit mortgage broker, we have the specialist industry knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the products available to customers like you. So, we know which lenders are more likely to approve your application.
While using a broker can sometimes involve extra fees compared to going directly to a lender, our focus is on making sure you find the right mortgage for your situation. We specialise in helping people with credit challenges, whether you’re looking for your first mortgage or considering remortgaging with bad credit.
