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Bad Credit Mortgage: A Complete Guide to Buying Your Home in the UK

bad-credit-mortgage

Overview

Bad credit doesn’t mean no to homeownership—with the right approach, a bad credit mortgage can still put you on the path to owning a home in the UK, and at Frida Finance, we help make that possible every day.

Can you get a mortgage with bad credit?
Yes — it is possible.

Getting approved depends on the severity of your credit issues and how recently the problems occurred.  Lenders check whether the issues were missed payments, defaults, or serious problems like CCJs or bankruptcy.
You are more likely to get a mortgage if you can show:

  • Better financial behaviour recently
  • A steady and provable income
  • A reasonable deposit

How Bad Credit Affects Your Mortgage Application

Loan to Value (LTV)

Most bad credit mortgage lenders UK prefer a lower LTV, meaning you’ll usually need a 20–25% deposit.
A larger deposit reduces risk and improves approval chances, especially for mortgages with bad credit but a large deposit.

Interest Rates

Bad credit mortgage loan rates are higher than standard rates because lenders are taking on more risk.
Typically, you may pay 2–4% more than borrowers with clean credit histories.

Types of Bad Credit Issues Lenders Consider

Lenders don’t treat all bad credit equally:

  • Late payments – Usually the least severe, especially if older than 12 months
  • Defaults – More serious, but acceptable if settled and historic
  • County Court Judgments (CCJ) -The severity is based on the amount, age, and satisfaction.
  • IVAs or Bankruptcy – Possible after discharge periods, usually 1–3 years+

Best Top Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders in the UK.

These high-street banks, such as HSBC or Barclays, tend to use automated credit scorin, which may result in a refusal. But there are specialist lenders who evaluate applications manually and are concerned with affordability. That is why it is essential to cooperate with the brokers who are aware of the list of bad credit mortgage lenders UK, because they are aware of various losses in real life. See how specialist lenders work .

Different Steps to Getting a Mortgage with Bad Credit History

  • Verify your credit score with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
  • Become an Electoral Roll voter to be more credible.
  • Save a larger deposit (key for bad credit approvals)
  • Avoid new credit applications before applying
  • Speak to a specialist mortgage broker who works with mortgage lenders for bad credit history

Bad Credit Mortgage Calculator: How Much Will It Cost?

A bad credit mortgage calculator helps you estimate:

  • Monthly repayments
  • Interest costs
  • Affordability based on deposit and income

Plan the bad credit mortgage loan realistically with a bad credit mortgage loan calculator.

Alternative Solutions: Help to Buy and Shared Ownership.

If full ownership feels out of reach, shared ownership mortgage bad credit options allow you to buy a portion of a property and pay rent on the rest.
These schemes reduce deposit size and can be ideal for first-time buyers with credit issues. 

Common Red Flags: What Issues Do Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders Accept?

Each lender has a different risk appetite, but commonly reviewed issues include:

  • Missed utility bills
  • Credit card defaults
  • CCJs (satisfied vs unsatisfied)
  • IVA or bankruptcy discharge periods

Specialist mortgage lenders with bad credit history often accept older or settled issues.

High Street Banks vs. Specialist Lenders

High-street banks rely on automated systems and strict criteria.
Specialist lenders, on the other hand, manually underwrite cases—looking at context, not just numbers. This is why bad credit mortgage lenders UK play a vital role for borrowers who don’t fit standard profiles.

Joint Mortgages: What if Only One Partner Has Bad Credit?

In joint applications, lenders assess both credit histories.
If one partner has strong credit and income, approval is still possible, but terms may be affected.
This is common with mortgages for people with bad credit applying as couples.

Improving Your Odds: The “Notice of Correction” Strategy

You can add a Notice of Correction to your credit file explaining missed payments due to illness, redundancy, or emergencies.
While not guaranteed, it can help lenders understand the story behind the numbers and get a mortgage with bad credit history.

How Timing Matters: When Is the Best Time to Apply for a Bad Credit Mortgage?

Timing can make a big difference when applying for a bad-credit mortgage.
Even a few months can improve your chances if used wisely. If your missed payments or defaults are over 12 months old, many bad credit mortgage lenders UK view your case more positively. Lenders prefer to see a recent pattern of on-time payments, stable income, and no new borrowing. Applying too soon after a credit issue often leads to higher rates or rejection. Waiting 6–12 months while saving a larger deposit and improving affordability can unlock better mortgage rates for bad credit history.For many buyers, the smart move is to prepare first, then apply once your profile matches what mortgage lenders for bad credit history are actively approving.

Conclusion: Your Path to Homeownership

A bad credit mortgage is not a dead end—it’s a different route.
With specialist lenders, the right deposit, and expert guidance from Frida Finance, owning your home in the UK is still achievable.

FAQs

  • Can I get a mortgage with bad credit and a small deposit?

    Usually, a 15–25% deposit is required, but some government schemes can also help to get a mortgage.

  • How long does bad credit stay on my UK credit file?

    Most defaults and CCJs stay for 6 years.

  • Will a declined mortgage application hurt my credit score further?

    Yes—multiple hard searches can lower your score, so always use a broker first.

  • Are bad credit mortgage interest rates significantly higher?

    Yes, expect rates to be 2–4% higher than standard mortgages.

  • Can bad credit be used to remortgage to clear debt?

    Naturally, of course, lots of borrowers refinance a loan to clear and fix their credit in the future.