CCJs, defaults, missed payments, an IVA or a low score: none of it rules you out automatically. Our FCA-authorised advisers specialise in cases lenders have already turned down, and one enquiry tells you where you stand.
Free to use, with no obligation to go ahead
Advisers authorised and regulated by the FCA
One short form, then a specialist calls you back
Lenders read the whole file, not one flag on it. Every situation below is one our advisers deal with, and none of them closes the door on its own.
Registered against you when a debt goes unpaid. Lenders care most about how recent it is and whether it's now settled.
A missed payment marked by a lender. One satisfied years ago carries far less weight than one still running.
Including arrears on a mortgage or secured loan, though a clean run of payments since counts strongly in your favour.
An arrangement shows lenders you're dealing with the debt. Having one discharged is a very different conversation to being in one.
Time since discharge matters more than the order itself. A settled case from several years back is workable with the right lender.
Little or no credit history is its own obstacle. Some lenders look at affordability and deposit rather than the score alone.
Each credit event is judged differently by a lender. These pages set out what changes your options and what does not, so you can judge your own case before you speak to anyone.
What a county court judgment means to a lender, whether it is satisfied or not, and what you can do about it before applying.
How the size, age and status of a default change what a lender will offer, and how long the mark stays on your file.
What changes while an IVA is still running, what opens up once it has been completed, and which documents carry the most weight.
What a lender needs to see after discharge, why the gap since matters more than the date itself, and when it is worth applying.
There's no single score that decides it. A lender weighs how serious each issue was, how long ago it happened and what you've done since, then looks at your deposit, your income and what you can comfortably afford.
How recent the issue is. A two-year-old default weighs far less than one from last year.
Whether it's settled or still outstanding.
Your deposit or equity. A bigger stake gives a lender more room to say yes.
How you've managed credit since. A run of on-time payments rebuilds the file.
Nothing has to be perfect before you start, but having these ready means your adviser can give you a straight answer on the first call.
A passport or driving licence, plus something showing your current address.
Three months of payslips, or two years of accounts if you're self-employed.
How much you put down shapes which lenders will look at your case. There's no single figure that works for everyone.
Where you've lived for the last three years, and details of any current mortgage or rent.
You're about to hand over personal and financial details to people you haven't met. Here's what protects you, and what every adviser we introduce you to has to meet.
Every adviser we introduce you to is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and holds the permissions needed to give mortgage advice. We do not give advice ourselves: our role is to introduce you to an adviser who can.
There's no fee for being matched and none for the advice itself. If your adviser charges for their work, the amount has to be agreed with you in writing before anything goes ahead.
We are paid by the adviser we introduce you to. Your enquiry goes to one adviser only, not a panel and not a mailing list, and is handled under UK data protection law.
If something goes wrong you can complain to the adviser's firm and, if it isn't resolved, take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service. That's what regulated advice gives you.
Two minutes of questions gets you a straight answer about what's realistic with your credit history, whether or not you go on to apply.
If yours isn't here, put it in the form at the bottom of the page. An adviser will answer it directly, with no obligation to take anything further.
Yes. Most people in your position assume the answer is no, but specialist lenders work with CCJs, defaults, missed payments and more every day, so the useful question is which lender suits your file. One enquiry gets you that answer.
No. There's no fee for being matched and none for the advice itself. If you go on to take a mortgage and your adviser charges a fee, they have to tell you the amount in writing before you commit.
Not without asking first. The initial look at your file is a soft search that only you can see, so it won't affect your score or show up to other lenders. A full search only happens once you decide to apply.
It depends on the same things that affect any mortgage: your income, deposit and outgoings, plus how recent and serious your credit issues are. There's no fixed figure that applies to everyone, which is why it's worth finding out rather than assuming. An adviser will look at your case and give you a realistic number.
Most people hear from an adviser within 24 hours of sending the form. From there it depends on the lender and how complicated your file is. You'll be given a realistic timeline once your details have been looked at.
Some lenders will consider an active arrangement, others want it finished first. It narrows the market rather than closing it, and it's worth talking to an adviser early so you know what a realistic timeline looks like.
No. The advice is free and there's no obligation. You can take it elsewhere, come back later, or walk away entirely. Nothing is signed until you decide to apply.
Send the form anyway. Worst case, an adviser tells you what needs to change and when it's worth coming back.
One short form. A specialist adviser will look at your situation and tell you honestly what's possible and what isn't.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Adverse Credit Mortgages is a mortgage introduction service operated by Charlotte Wood, Stourbridge, DY8 5TF. We do not give mortgage advice and we are not authorised to do so.