Bad Credit Mortgages

Find out everything you need to know about bad credit mortgages and how John Charcol can help you here. We go through credit reports, impact on mortgage options, lender criteria and how brokers can help and more.

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Step

Understand Your Credit Report and Credit Score

First thing’s first: make sure you understand your credit report.

Before you can find a suitable bad credit mortgage deal, you need to be able to read your credit report and understand what it means. What information does your credit report show? How do you check a credit report? What’s a good credit score? What negatively impacts a credit report?

These are some of the questions you’ll find answers to here.

What Is the Minimum Credit Score for Mortgages in the UK?

Do you need a minimum credit score for a mortgage in the UK? Here we explain how credit history can affect the mortgage deals available and what your options are.

Find out more about What Is the Minimum Credit Score for Mortgages in the UK?

What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a House?

When you take out a mortgage to buy a property in the UK, the lender assessing your application will look at your credit score. A poor or even fair credit score could result in the lender declining your application. What’s a Credit Score? A credit score is a 3 digit number that’s scored out of…

Couple Smiling And Showing Off Their New House Keys

How a Mortgage Application Affects Your Credit Report

Want to know how a mortgage application affects your credit report? Learn about getting a mortgage application credit check including soft & hard searches here.

What Is Checkmyfile?

Learn about the credit report service Checkmyfile here. We go through how it works, how it compares to other credit agencies, the effects of bad...

Understanding Your Credit Report

Want to understand your credit report? We’ll explain what a credit score is, why it’s important, what can negatively affect your score and more.

Does an IVA Affect Your Credit Score?

Learn all about how an IVA affects your credit score, what this means for your mortgage options and how to rebuild your credit score in...

Can I Get a Mortgage If I Have No Credit History?

Learn about how to get a mortgage with no credit history in our guide. We discuss why you might not have credit history, how to...

Do I Need a Credit Score to Buy a House?

There are mortgage options for people with no credit history – including some first time buyers, returning expats and foreign nationals who can remain in...

John Charcol Expert Tip - November 2025

Having a less-than-perfect credit history doesn’t mean your mortgage hopes are out of reach. While your options may be more limited and rates slightly higher, there are lenders who specialise in supporting borrowers with missed payments, defaults or CCJs, and who assess your circumstances in far more detail than a simple credit score.

The key is knowing which lenders to approach and how to present your application in the strongest possible light. With the right guidance, it’s entirely possible to secure a mortgage that fits your situation and take positive steps toward rebuilding your financial future.

Nicholas Mendes

UK Mortgage and Property Expert

Steps

Identify Your Bad Credit and the Impact on Mortgage Options

Now you know a bit more about credit scores and why they exist, it’s time to identify what bad credit event is having a negative effect on your credit report and what this means for your mortgage.

See our resources below for the kinds of bad credit events to look out for and the specifics regarding the impact on your mortgage options.

Find out more

Can You Remortgage with a County Court Judgement (CCJ)?

Learn all you need to know about remortgaging with a CCJ. Find out more in our guide. We go through what a CCJ is and...

Mortgages for Discharged Bankrupts

Can you get mortgages for discharged bankrupts? Learn about how bankruptcy affects your mortgage options and what steps you can take to secure the best...

Mortgages After Payday Loans

Can you get a mortgage after payday loans? Find out here. We explain how payday loans affect your mortgage options and how to secure the...

Late Payments and Mortgage Applications

Learn about late payments and mortgage applications here. We explain how late payments impact mortgage applications, what to do if you have a late payment...

How Long After Repossession Can I Get a Mortgage?

Can you get a mortgage after repossession? And how long do you have to wait? Find out in our guide. We explain what lenders consider...

Getting a Mortgage After Bankruptcy

Learn about getting a mortgage after bankruptcy in our guide. We explain what bankruptcy is, how it can affect your credit score, mortgage application and...

Can You Get a Mortgage with Credit Card Debt? UK

Learn about getting a mortgage with credit card debt in our guide. We go through how credit card debt affects a mortgage application and what...

Can I Get a Mortgage After a Debt Relief Order?

Wondering if you can get a mortgage with a debt relief order? Here we go through what lenders consider when you’ve had a DRO and...

Can I Get a Mortgage with an IVA?

Learn whether you can get a mortgage with an IVA here. We explain how long you should wait to apply, how to improve your chances...

Can You Get a Mortgage with a Criminal Conviction

Learn about getting a mortgage with a criminal conviction here. We discuss how a criminal conviction can affect a mortgage, improving your credit score &...

Can I Get a Mortgage with a Default?

Learn whether you can get a mortgage with a default in our guide. We go through what lenders consider, what can affect your application and...

Can You Get a Mortgage with a CCJ?

Find out how to get a mortgage with a CCJ in our guide. We go through how a CCJ can affect your mortgage options, steps...

Step

Learn About Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders and Their Criteria

It’s time to start learning about subprime lenders, what bad credit mortgage products they offer and how they assess applicants. This will help you to get an idea of the kinds of criteria you’ll need to meet and steps you can take to help you secure a bad credit mortgage.

Guaranteed Mortgage Approval with Bad Credit

You can’t get guaranteed mortgage approval with bad credit or great credit, but that doesn’t mean getting a mortgage with bad credit isn’t possible. Learn more.

Find out more about Guaranteed Mortgage Approval with Bad Credit

How Far Back Do Mortgage Lenders Look at Credit History?

Learn how far back mortgage lenders look when assessing your credit history here. We go through what they consider, how poor credit affects applications and more.

Mortgage Deposit for Bad Credit

Learn how can you get a mortgage with bad credit. We explain how much deposit is required for a mortgage and how to get the...

How to Get a Mortgage With Good Income but Bad Credit

Learn about getting a good income bad credit mortgage in our guide. We explain what your options are and how to improve your chances of...

How Much Mortgage Deposit Do I Need with a CCJ?

Find out how much you need in mortgage deposit with a CCJ on your credit file. We explain the impact CCJs can have on your...

Subprime Mortgage

Learn all about getting a subprime mortgage in our guide. We go through what a subprime mortgage is, the pros and cons, what to consider,...

Debt to Income Ratio

Want to learn what a debt-to-income ratio is, how lenders use it for mortgage calculations and how it impacts your mortgage options? Read our guide...

Can You Pay for Your Mortgage with a Credit Card?

You can pay for your mortgage with a credit card in certain circumstances, but borrowers rarely do it and it’s not something brokers recommend. We...

Step

Talk to a Bad Credit Mortgage Broker and Start Your Mortgage Application

You’re ready to start your mortgage journey. You can learn about bad credit mortgage brokers in our guide and contact us on 023 8235 2300. See below for more information about the kinds of bad credit mortgages for different buyers and the various options.

Mortgages for First Time Buyers with Bad Credit

Looking to get a mortgage for bad credit as a first time buyer? Learn how bad credit affects your mortgage options and what you can do to secure the best deal.

Find out more about Mortgages for First Time Buyers with Bad Credit

Bad Credit Mortgage Brokers

Find out how a bad credit mortgage broker like John Charcol can help you here. We go through how credit affects your mortgage, your mortgage options & more.

How to Remortgage with Bad Credit

Can you remortgage with bad credit? Find out here. We explain everything you need to know about getting a bad credit remortgage, including what affects...

What to Do if Your Mortgage Is Declined

Had a mortgage application declined? Don’t worry it doesn’t mean you won’t find another deal. Learn what to do & what your next steps are...

Shared Ownership Mortgages with Bad Credit

Can you get a shared ownership mortgage with bad credit? Learn about how bad credit affects your mortgage options, how to improve your credit and...

Self-Employed Mortgage with Bad Credit

You can still get a mortgage as a self-employed person with bad credit, you may just need some additional specialist support. Learn more.

Guarantor Mortgage Bad Credit

Before, guarantor mortgages could help borrowers with bad credit. Nowadays there are more options with specialist lenders that cater to bad credit borrowers.