GUIDES
Bad Credit Mortgage Guide
(Adverse Credit)
Real advice. No judgement. If there’s a way to say “yes,” we’ll find it.
Struggled with credit in the past? You’re not alone – and it doesn’t have to stop you buying a home or remortgaging.
Welcome to our bad credit mortgage guide. At Go Mortgage, we help you navigate the complex world of specialist lending, even if you’ve been declined elsewhere.
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Bad Credit Mortgage Guide
What is a bad credit mortgage?
It’s simply a mortgage designed for people with adverse markers on their credit profile—things like late payments, defaults, CCJs, DMPs, IVAs, bankruptcy, repossession, payday loans, or no/limited credit history.
These mortgages are offered by specialist lenders who consider real-life context, not just a computer score.
Good to know: There isn’t a single “pass mark” credit score. Lenders each have their own internal criteria and appetite for risk.
Can I get a mortgage with bad credit?
Often, yes. Your chances improve if:
- The issues are older (e.g., over 24–36 months).
- Amounts were smaller and now settled.
- You have stable income, sensible commitments, and some savings.
- You work with a broker (👋 hi) who knows which lenders say yes to cases like yours.
We place applications daily for clients who’ve had:
Late payments • Defaults • CCJs • DMPs • IVAs • Bankruptcy • Payday loans • Repossession • No credit history
Access Your Credit Report
Knowing exactly what lenders see is the first step. Checkmyfile lets you view your full credit picture across all three UK agencies in one place, helping you spot issues, track progress, and avoid surprises before you apply.
How much deposit do I need with bad credit?
There’s no one-size-fits-all, but as a rule of thumb:
- Milder/older issues: from 5–15% deposit may be
- Recent/serious issues: expect 10–30% (sometimes more).
- New build / flats / complex income: lenders may require extra.
We’ll map your case to the lenders with the lowest deposit that fits your profile.
What rates should I expect?
Rates for adverse cases are usually higher than mainstream initially. The goal is to get you on the ladder (or keep you there), then improve your rate at the next remortgage once your profile has aged and cleaned up. We’ll plan this pathway with you for this.
What affects my chances?
- Type of credit event: (e.g., mobile late secured loan default).
- Recency & severity: newer/bigger = les lender options.
- Whether it’s settled (and how long ago).
- Affordability: income, commitments, dependants,
- Property type & LTV.
- Documentation quality: clear paper trail
How GoMortgage helps (and why people choose us)
- Specialist bad-credit expertise (22+ years in the game).
- Whole-of-market access, including specialist lenders not on the high street.
- Case-build coaching: we help you present the strongest version of your case.
- No judgement, just a plan: if now isn’t the perfect moment, we’ll show you exactly how to get there.
- Relentless service: we do the hard cases – the ones others won’t.
📞 Talk to us: 01253 935050
or message us to start your plan.
Improve your approval odds (before we apply)
- Pull a full, multi-agency report (Equifax/Experian/TransUnion)
- Settle small negatives if affordable (ask us which ones).
- Keep accounts squeaky clean for 3–6 months (no missed/late payments, no new unsecured debt).
- Tidy bank statements: avoid gambling, unarranged overdrafts, and bounced direct debits.
- Save every month: even a modest, consistent habit helps.
- Gather documents: ID, proof of address, 3–6 months’ bank statements, payslips/P60 or full accounts/SA302s & Tax Year Overviews if self-employed.
First-time buyers with bad credit
Being an FTB doesn’t block you – the credit history matters more than your “first-time” status. We’ll help you choose between fixed-rate and tracker mortgages, new-build and older properties, and explore options like family-assist, JBSP (Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor), or gifted deposits if applicable.
Remortgaging with bad credit
Yes, you can remortgage with bad credit—to secure a new deal, raise funds, or consolidate debts (if suitable). Timing is key: talk to us 6 months before your current deal ends so we can line up the best route and avoid dropping onto your lender’s Standard Variable Rate.
Joint applications where one of you has bad credit
It’s possible. Lenders look at the combined profile and income split. We’ll steer you to providers who are more flexible when only one applicant has issues – and advise on whether JBSP or a guarantor-style structure could help.
Specific credit situations we handle
- Late payments & arrears
- Defaults (settled/unsettled)
- CCJs
- Debt Management Plans (DMPs)
- IVAs (ongoing/completed)
- Bankruptcy / Repossession
- Payday loans (especially if recent)
- No credit history / thin file
- Self-employed / complex income
- Shared Ownership with bad credit
- Right to Buy / New build (case by case)
Each has different lender rules around dates, amounts, and deposits – so the right match matters.
The GoMortgage process (simple and human)
1. 15-minute discovery call – your goals, your story, your timelines.
2. Evidence & credit review – we triage your report(s) and documents.
3. Lender mapping – shortlist based on real criteria (not just rates tables).
4. Decision-in-Principle (DIP) – we pre-flight the case to avoid surprises.
5. Full application – packaged properly, with clear explanations.
6. Underwriting & valuation – we chase, clarify, and keep you updated.
7. Offer, conveyancing & completion – we stay on it until you get the keys.
8. Aftercare – we diarise your next remortgage to improve your rate and terms.
Ready when you are
If you’ve got a past—that’s okay. We all do. What matters is what we do next.
📞 Call Chris & the GoMortgage team: 01253 935050
or start with your multi-agency file: Click For Free Trial. GoMortgage® — real people, real plans, real approvals. We hope you enjoyed our bad credit mortgage guide.
Speak With A Mortgage Advisor today
Contact our friendly mortgage advice team. Sound mortgage advice from the experts at GoMortgage.
Author: Chris Days Head of Content
- 5 Mins
- Updated: Nov 5 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum credit score for a mortgage?
No fixed score. Each lender uses its own criteria. The story behind the numbers matters.
Do I need a bigger deposit?
Usually, yes. How much depends on the recency/severity of the issues and the property type.
Should I clear old debts first?
Sometimes. Don’t nuke savings meant for a deposit without speaking to us – it can backfire.
Can I get a mortgage with a DMP/IVA/CCJ?
In many cases, yes – with the right lender and deposit. The detail and timing are crucial.
I’ve got payday loans - am I stuck?
Recent, repeated use can be a barrier. Older, isolated use may still be workable.
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