A difficult past does not mean a difficult mortgage
Defaults, CCJs, missed payments, IVAs, even historic bankruptcy — specialist lenders consider all of these. The right advice makes the difference between a rejection and an approval.
Your home/property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Adverse credit explained
More lenders consider bad credit than you might think
High street banks are not the only mortgage lenders. The specialist and adverse credit mortgage market exists specifically for people whose credit history does not meet mainstream criteria. These lenders take a more human view — looking at the full picture, not just a credit score.
What matters is not just whether you have bad credit, but what type, how much, how long ago, and whether your financial situation has since stabilised. A missed payment from four years ago is viewed very differently from a recent default.
We work with a range of specialist lenders across the market who cater to adverse credit applicants. We assess your credit position honestly and tell you upfront what is realistic — saving you from making applications that are likely to fail (which can further damage your credit score).
Credit issues we help with
- Missed mortgage or loan payments
- Defaults (satisfied and unsatisfied)
- County Court Judgements (CCJs)
- Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs)
- Debt Management Plans (DMPs)
- Historic bankruptcy (discharged)
- Repossession (with time elapsed)
- Low credit score / thin credit file
Why choose us
Honest advice — not false hope
Credit assessment first
Before we recommend anything, we review your credit position thoroughly — so we know what is realistic and which lenders are likely to consider your application before we approach them.
Specialist lender access
We work with specialist adverse credit lenders who do not appear on comparison websites. These lenders each have different criteria — knowing which ones suit your specific situation is our job.
A route back to mainstream
A specialist mortgage now does not mean specialist forever. We advise on what to do between now and your next remortgage to improve your credit profile and access better rates over time.
Our process
How we work with adverse credit clients
Confidential review
We review your credit files (all three agencies if needed), understand the full picture, and tell you honestly what is achievable and what is not — before anyone else sees your application.
Lender matching
We identify the lenders most likely to accept your application given the specific nature of your credit history. A targeted approach avoids unnecessary credit footprints from declined applications.
Application & approval
We manage your application with care, packaging your case in a way that presents your situation clearly and honestly to the lender's underwriters.
Common questions
Bad credit mortgage FAQs
The questions we hear most often from clients with credit concerns.
Yes, in many cases. CCJs that are satisfied (paid off) and older are viewed more favourably than recent, unsatisfied ones. The amount, date, and whether it has been settled all matter. Some specialist lenders will consider CCJs of any age; others have strict cut-off points. We know which lenders suit which scenarios.
Credit issues stay on your file for six years from the date they were registered, but their impact on mortgage applications diminishes over time. Most specialist lenders take a more lenient view of issues that are 2–3 years old. Some mainstream lenders will consider applications where all adverse credit is over three years old and has been satisfied.
Generally yes — a larger deposit reduces the lender's risk and opens up more options. Many specialist lenders require 15–25% deposits for adverse credit applications, compared to the 5–10% available to applicants with clean credit. The specific requirement depends on the severity and recency of the credit issues.
Each hard credit search by a lender leaves a footprint on your file. Multiple declined applications in a short period can compound credit problems. This is exactly why we assess your position first and identify the right lender before making a single application — reducing the risk of unnecessary footprints.
Let us look at your real options
A confidential, no-obligation review — we will tell you honestly what is achievable for your situation.
Initial consultations are completely free of charge. There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount will depend upon your circumstances and will be agreed with you before proceeding but will range from £150 to £500 and this will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity.