BAD CREDIT MORTGAGE ADVICE
Bad Credit Mortgage Broker: Honest Answers, the Right Lender
Defaults, CCJs, missed payments, a debt management plan or an IVA do not have to mean no. We look at your credit files with you, tell you what is realistic now, and apply only where your case fits.
Initial consultation free · CeMAP-qualified advice · UK-wide · Read our reviews on Trustpilot ↗
Based in Derby, we advise clients across the UK by phone and video.
Why the first application matters most
Every application leaves a search on your credit file, and a decline makes the next lender more cautious. People with credit problems who apply to their bank first, then a second lender, then a third, often make their position worse. We do the matching first, so your application goes to a lender whose rules fit your history.
Talk through your mortgage options
Tell us about your plans and circumstances. Your initial consultation is free.
How lenders view each credit problem
| Problem | Typical lender view |
|---|---|
| Missed payments | Often fine if over 12 months ago and now up to date |
| Defaults | Depends on size, age and whether paid |
| CCJs | Satisfied, older CCJs widely accepted by specialists |
| Debt management plan | Some specialists accept, more once completed |
| IVA or DRO | Usually after completion, with specialists |
| Bankruptcy | After discharge, often a few years later |
| Repossession | Few lenders, usually several years later |
Recency matters most. Problems in the last 12 months narrow the options. Older, settled problems open many more. Read our full bad credit mortgage guide.
How much deposit you may need
- Minor, older problems now settled: 5% to 10% with some lenders.
- A recent default or CCJ: 10% to 15%.
- Several recent problems, or a DMP: 15% to 25%.
- IVA, DRO, bankruptcy or repossession in recent years: 15% to 30% or more.
Family help, such as a gifted deposit, can make up the difference.
How it works
- Free consultation. We talk through what happened, when, and what you want to do. No judgement.
- Credit file review. We go through your Experian, Equifax and TransUnion files with you and spot errors worth fixing first.
- Lender match. We shortlist mainstream and specialist lenders whose rules fit your history and deposit.
- One strong application. We prepare it with a clear explanation of your history, so the underwriter has the full picture.
- Offer, completion and a plan to move on. We note when your problems age off, so you can move to a cheaper rate later.
Hear from people we've helped
“We had exhausted all other avenues in order to get a new mortgage.”
Your situation
- Self-employed: see our self-employed bad credit guide.
- Buying with a partner who has bad credit: see our joint mortgage guide.
- Remortgaging: see remortgaging with bad credit.
- Struggling with debt now: free advice is available from MoneyHelper.
Our mortgage broker fee
Your initial consultation is free. If you proceed, our broker fee for a straightforward case is £499 in total: £299 on mortgage application and £200 when your mortgage offer is issued. The £299 application payment is refundable if your mortgage is declined, subject to the terms of your written fee agreement. The fee is £999 where income is complex or there are some credit problems, and £1,499 for heavy adverse credit such as a bankruptcy, as far more work is involved. These are paid the same way: part on application, refundable if the mortgage is declined, and the rest when the mortgage offer is issued. We confirm your fee and terms before you proceed. Lender and third-party fees may be additional.
Bad credit mortgage FAQs
Can I get a mortgage with bad credit?
Usually, yes. It depends on how serious and recent your credit problems are, whether they are settled, your deposit and affordability. Minor older problems are accepted by many mainstream lenders, and specialist lenders consider more serious ones.
Will checking my options affect my credit file?
No. We can review your situation and many lenders can give an initial indication using a soft search, which other lenders cannot see. A full credit search only happens when you make a full application.
How much deposit do I need?
Typically 5% to 10% for minor older problems, 10% to 15% for a recent default or CCJ, and 15% to 30% or more after an IVA, debt relief order, bankruptcy or repossession.
Will I pay a higher rate?
If you need a specialist lender, usually yes. The difference depends on how serious and recent your problems are and on your deposit. Many clients take a shorter fixed rate and move to a cheaper lender once their credit improves.
Can I get a mortgage after bankruptcy or an IVA?
Often, yes, with specialist lenders. Most want an IVA completed or a bankruptcy discharged, and some want a further period to have passed.
How long do credit problems affect a mortgage application?
Most problems stay on your credit file for six years. Lenders focus most on the last one to three years, so options usually widen as problems age.
Can I remortgage with bad credit?
Usually, yes. A product transfer with your current lender may not need a credit check if you are not borrowing more. Moving lender means specialist criteria.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. Our initial consultation is free. If you proceed, our broker fee for a straightforward case is £499: £299 on application and £200 when a mortgage offer is issued. The £299 application fee is refundable if the mortgage is declined, subject to the written fee agreement. The fee is £999 where income is complex or there are some credit problems, and £1,499 for heavy adverse credit such as a bankruptcy, as far more work is involved. These are paid the same way: part on application, refundable if the mortgage is declined, and the rest when the mortgage offer is issued. We confirm your fee before you proceed.
Ready to find out what is possible?
Tell us a little about your credit history and what you want to do. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
Content written and reviewed by Davi Thakar. Last reviewed 16 October 2026. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Specialist lenders usually charge higher rates and fees. This information is not a personal recommendation.