We help you explore options and improve your chances despite past credit challenges.
Home / Specialist Mortgages / Adverse Credit
I’m Rachel Johnson, and I’ve been part of the financial industry since I was 17. Over the years, I’ve built a strong foundation of knowledge and experience, becoming a qualified adviser in January 2019.
With over 25 years of experience in financial services, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people make confident financial decisions and achieve their property goals.
With over 20 years of experience in the property and financial services industry, I’ve built a career that blends my passion for people, property, and professional growth.
With nearly 20 years of experience as a fully Qualified Accountant (CIMA), I, Vaishali Saran, bring a unique and analytical financial expertise to my role as a Mortgage Adviser.
I am a Mortgage and Protection Adviser with experience supporting first-time buyers, remortgages, Buy-to-Let, and Right to Buy clients.
Hi, I'm Nico, a mortgage and protection adviser offering a bespoke service designed to help clients find the best available product for their individual circumstances.
Many aspiring homeowners can still access a mortgage with bad credit. Some lenders will give you a mortgage despite your bad credit by considering your overall circumstances beyond your credit rating.
Applying for a mortgage with bad credit is the same process as applying for any mortgage. The applicant(s) must make the application without concealing information, and the lender will then make a decision based on your credit rating and other factors.
However, to improve your chances of being accepted with bad credit history, there are steps you can take:
You may also want to apply to lenders with a history of approving mortgages to people with bad credit history. We can assist with locating these lenders.
Many aspiring homeowners can access a mortgage despite a poor credit history. Lenders often consider your overall financial circumstances, not just your credit score, to determine eligibility.

If you have bad credit, the lender may approve your mortgage application, but you may have to pay back more over time. Your offer may include a higher rate of interest because the lender wants to offset the risk that you might default on mortgage repayments.
People with bad credit may also need to pay a bigger deposit to secure a mortgage, compared to those with a good or excellent credit rating.
The most common causes of bad credit are unpaid debts, typically to utility companies, mobile phone providers or creditors such as payday loan lenders and credit cards from banks.
Missing a single payment will not cause a significantly poor credit rating if you manage to catch up quickly. However, if you have defaulted and been taken to court and issued with a CCJ for unpaid debts, this can cause bad credit.
Any instance of defaulted payments or CCJs will remain on your credit report for six years before being automatically deleted.
To increase the likelihood of approval, applicants can allow time after negative credit events, maintain a stable income, save a larger deposit, improve credit scores, and apply to lenders experienced with bad credit mortgages.

You can check your credit report by using a credit reference agency website. Many credit reference agencies offer free trials so you can access your report for free for so many days. You are encouraged to check your credit report before applying for a mortgage.
You may be able to identify reporting errors and have them removed to improve your credit score. Around one in five people are estimated to have a mistake on their credit file. Removing reporting mistakes is one of the few ways to increase your credit score quickly.
Having errors removed is one way to instantly improve your credit score, but there are many others. You can also:
We can provide helpful information on how to improve your credit score before considering a mortgage with poor credit.
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Why should I use a mortgage broker?
A mortgage broker gives you access to a wide range of lenders and deals, including some that aren’t available directly to the public. They compare options on your behalf, help you understand what you can afford, and guide you through the application process from start to finish.
Using a broker can save you time, reduce stress, and improve your chances of approval.
When is the earliest I can secure a new mortgage deal?
You can usually secure a new mortgage deal around 3–6 months before your current deal ends. Many lenders allow you to lock in a new rate in advance, which can help you avoid moving onto a higher standard variable rate.
Speaking to an adviser early ensures you have time to review your options and secure the most suitable deal.
What documents do you I need when applying for a mortgage?
When applying for a mortgage, you’ll usually need:
1. Proof of identity – Passport or driving licence
2. Proof of address – Recent utility bill or bank statement
3. Proof of income – Payslips (usually last 3 months) and latest P60
4. Bank statements – Typically last 3 months
5. Proof of deposit – Savings statements or gifted deposit letter (if applicable)
6. Self-employed applicants – SA302s or tax returns and business accounts