Bad Credit Mortgages - frequently asked questions

Yes, lenders will almost always carry out multiple credit checks as part of the application process, as they need to assess the risk involved in lending to you. Typically they carry out three credit checks in total:

• Initial check at the ‘decision in principle’ stage - this may only be a soft credit check. You can ask in advance whether it will be a soft or hard check.
  
• A more in-depth credit check for the full mortgage offer
  
• Possibly a final credit check just before completion to make sure that nothing has changed - this may be more likely if it has been a lengthy process

It’s definitely not impossible, but it depends on why you were turned down originally, and how much time has passed. The best thing to do is to check your reports thoroughly and to work with a specialist adverse credit mortgage broker to support you through the process.

Having a mortgage application declined could potentially be a red flag on your credit report, so it makes sense not to rush into a mortgage application in the first instance, but to make sure you feel as confident as possible that you are approaching the most relevant lender for your circumstances.

Potentially. Firstly, it really depends on the circumstances of your bad credit. If it’s a severe or very recent issue, then lenders are going to be much more inclined to insist on a lower loan-to-value ratio in order to mitigate the risk. If it’s something less serious then it may not be viewed so harshly, and you’ll probably still be able to qualify for the standard LTV requirements. Typically this means a 10% deposit, possibly 5% with some lenders.

If you’re able to get together a bigger deposit, this usually opens up more competitive rates, so it might be worth saving for longer if you can.

You don’t need a guarantor as standard for a poor credit score mortgage, but if you’re really struggling to find a lender or have a very small deposit, then it could be an option to consider. A guarantor mortgage is where a guarantor - normally a close family member such as a parent - agrees to guarantee your mortgage. They are normally required to be a homeowner as the mortgage is secured against their own home. This means that if you default on your mortgage, their home is at risk, so it’s not something to enter into lightly unless you’re very confident about your ability to meet your repayments.

Yes, you’ll normally find that you pay a slightly higher interest rate on a bad credit mortgage, depending on the severity of the credit issue, the lender, and the rest of your circumstances. The good news is that you’re not stuck with this higher interest rate for the whole term of the mortgage - once you’ve got a couple of years or regular repayments under your belt and have built up a bit more equity in your home, you should be in a stronger position to remortgage to a better deal.

Using a broker will also make sure you’re getting the very best deal and not paying over the odds.

Yes definitely. As scary as it can be facing up to bad credit issues, there is really nothing to be gained from burying your head in the sand. Knowledge really is power, and unless you have a clear picture of your finances, you risk being turned down for a mortgage.

Not all mortgage lenders will use the same CRAs to complete their credit checks, so it makes sense to check all three when you’re looking at your own credit records. You can also use a service like checkmyfile, which pulls together information from all three into one place. There is usually a monthly fee to access your information, but you should be able to access free trials.

No. While many people worry that checking their own credit reports will have a negative impact on their credit score, this is actually a myth. While hard checks carried out by third parties can certainly have an effect, especially if there are lots being done within a short space of time, you can check your own reports as often as you want without it having any effect whatsoever.

In fact, it makes sense to check your credit reports regularly if you are trying to improve your bad credit, as you can then monitor your progress, look for improvements in your credit score, and keep an eye out for mistakes or evidence of fraud.

This depends whether or not they are applying jointly with you. If you’re making the mortgage application on your own, then it won’t have an effect as their credit history won’t be checked as part of the application process. If you are applying jointly however, then yes, you will both be subject to the same credit checks and anything that’s flagged on their credit files will be taken into consideration by your potential lender.

If you are a married couple, it’s worth taking some expert advice about how to proceed. Although it is possible to apply on your own for a mortgage if you’re married, most lenders prefer married couples to make joint mortgage applications and may question why you are applying alone.

It’s always a good idea to use a mortgage broker, even if you have perfect credit, but it’s even more important if you have bad credit as you may need to be using a more specialist lender that would be harder for you to find on your own. You may also find that some bad credit lenders - Aldermore for example - don’t accept direct applications and will only go via a broker.

This depends on how long ago your credit issues occurred and how serious they were. In some circumstances you might find you qualify for a 90% mortgage or even a 95% mortgage with bad credit, but if the issue is more serious or more recent then a lender might offer to lend you less. If the deposit amount is going to be an issue for you, a broker can help you research lenders who are prepared to be more generous with what they’re prepared to lend.

There’s not a specific credit score in the UK that guarantees you being accepted or rejected for a mortgage. For starters, each CRA has their own scoring system, and so it’s impossible to say what a good or bad credit score even is generally speaking. Lenders don’t look at credit reports in such a simplistic way anyway - they will look at your whole credit history in the context of your wider financial situation, and will apply their own criteria when assessing the relevance of any bad credit issues.

This really depends on what exactly your credit issues are, and other factors such as your deposit, your income and your other personal circumstances. For some people with bad credit, a regular high street bank might be appropriate, while for others it could be that going to a more specialist, niche lender is going to give you the best chance to secure a mortgage. A broker will be best placed to guide you to the lender that’s right for you.