We understand that applying for a mortgage with bad credit can feel daunting, but there are options out there for you, you just need the right guidance. A lot will depend on how severe your history is, how much time has passed since it happened and how large the debts are/were. There are lenders who specialise in home loans for people with a bad credit history which means a lot more options than you think. To qualify for a home loan with bad credit you can take a few steps to get yourself into the best shape for your application.
How do I boost my chances of approval?
Bad credit deposit requirements
To qualify for a home loan with bad credit you may need to focus on your deposit as some lenders may expect a larger one to support your application. For a residential mortgage in the UK, the minimum deposit is at least 5% but for those with an adverse credit history, this is likely to rise based on how severe your bad credit is and how old the issues are. This is because lenders will view bad credit as high risk and therefore they will ask for more funds from you to offset some of that risk.
For example, if your credit problem relates to a missed phone payment, a specialist broker may be able to find you a mortgage with a 5-10% deposit. But if you have a history of repossession or bankruptcy you may need a deposit of 25-30%.
Will lenders accept all credit issues?
To qualify for a home loan with bad credit there generally is no one size fits all approach. Some lenders will specialise in offering flexibility to a CCJ and others to bankruptcies. There are lenders out there who will look at applications with multiple credit issues you will just have to meet their other criteria.
The tables below will show how different lenders will treat your bad credit differently based on the type of credit and how much time has passed since it was registered.
Less severe
Mortgage provider | No credit history | Low credit score | A history of late payments? |
Accord mortgages | Case by case basis | Possible | Yes |
Barclays | Case by case basis | Case by case basis | Yes |
Halifax | Case by case basis | Case by case basis | Yes |
HSBC | No | No | Yes |
NatWest | Case by case basis | Case by case basis | Yes |
Santander | Case by case basis | Case by case basis | No |
Virgin Money | No | Possible | Yes |
Severe
Mortgage provider | Missed mortgage payments | Defaults | CCJs | DMPs | IVAs |
Accord mortgages | Max one in last 2 years | Up to max £500 | If settled after 3 years | Yes ,if settled | Yes after 6 years |
Barclays | Max 3 in last 2 years | Up to max £200 and settled | Max £200 if after 3 years | Yes, if settled | Yes after 6 years |
Halifax | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, if settled | Yes after 6 years |
HSBC | No | Yes after 3 years | Yes after 3 years if settled | Yes, if settled | Yes after 3 years |
NatWest | Yes, if it did not happen in last year | Yes, if settled | Yes, if settled | Yes, if settled | Yes after 6 years |
Santander | Yes after 1 year | Yes after 1 year | Yes, if not within 3 months | Yes, if settled | No |
Virgin Money | Max 2 but ignored after 6 months | Max value £2000 if paid | Yes, if max value is £500 | Yes, if settled | No |
Very severe
Mortgage Provider | Bankruptcy | Repossession | Multiple credit problems |
Accord mortgages | Yes, if discharged after 6 years | Yes after 6 years | Yes |
Barclays | Yes, if discharged after 6 years | No | Yes |
Halifax | Yes, if discharged after 6 years | Yes | |
HSBC | No | No | No |
NatWest | Yes, if discharged after 6 years | Based on the time frame and severity | |
Santander | No | No | Yes |
Virgin Money | No | No | Yes |
Get in touch
The tables above are for indication only purposes and the only way to know how to qualify for a home loan with bad credit would be by getting in touch so our mortgage superheroes can properly assess your situation.
You may not meet the criteria above but that does not mean it is the end of your mortgage journey as everyone’s financial circumstances are different. Our bad credit mortgage brokers have all the skills and experience needed to search the whole of the market for a lender for you.
Our bad credit mortgage broker matching service will help you on your way to getting on the property ladder. Make an enquiry with us today and they will be in touch.