Can I Get a Mortgage with a CCJ?
Yes, you can. Over 75 lenders consider borrowers with CCJs, even if there are multiple, recent, or unsettled ones. Use our guide, tools, and experts to check your options. We’ve helped over 30,200 customers with defaults, with 4 experts dedicated to bad credit cases. We guarantee to get your mortgage approved and find you the best deal. If we can’t and someone else does, we’ll give you £100!*
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Author: Pete Mugleston
CeMAP Mortgage Advisor, MD
Reviewed by: Sheridan Repton
Bad Credit and BTL Specialist
Quick summary
Having a CCJ does not stop you getting a mortgage – whilst many lenders won’t accept you, there’s often plenty of options available, so don’t let it hold you back!
As of today, at least 51 lenders will consider CCJs registered in the last 3 years, and 57 lenders will if they were registered 3-6 years ago. This includes some of the best rates on the market.
Lenders care most about the age and size of the CCJs, and whether they have been satisfied (settled) or not. Some can accept CCJs as recent as yesterday, and many don’t require them to have been repaid at all.
Acceptance is not guaranteed, however, and getting accepted for the best deal will be very tricky without help or experience.
How do my CCJs affect what I’m eligible for?
Having a CCJ limits the number of lenders that will consider your application. While CCJs won’t outright prevent you from getting a mortgage, they can affect how individual mortgage lenders view your financial situation and, therefore, what’s available to you.
Every lender has unique CCJ criteria policies, usually centred around the following:
- More lenders will consider you if you’ve only had one CCJ than if you’ve had multiple
- Lenders will have their own specific limits on the number of CCJs
- The longer ago the CCJ was, the better
- Most lenders group CCJs based on when they were registered—typically either within the last 3 years or between 3 and 6 years ago. Those from the past 3 years often face stricter rules, with some lenders having specific policies for CCJs less than 12 months old, for example.
- Many lenders impose a maximum value allowed for individual or combined CCJs
- Others have no upper limit
While many lenders have a standard policy regardless of the reason, some lenders are forgiving of certain types, such as:
- Telecoms
- Parking fines
- Mail order companies
It’s a common misconception that lenders base their decisions solely on credit score – this isn’t true.
While a good credit score generally indicates creditworthiness and more options, most lenders don’t rely solely on it when making lending decisions. Instead, lenders assess individual credit events and your circumstances in line with their unique policy.
- Most lenders ignore your score entirely and go purely on your history and how it fits with their policy.
- Some lenders, like Halifax, use credit scoring but also require background details. For example, a large, recent CCJ could lead to a decline, even if your score is decent.
- A small handful of lenders, like Nationwide, don’t use set criteria – they strictly base decisions solely on your credit score.
Why this matters…
A low credit score doesn’t automatically mean there are no mortgages for you. Similarly, even with a relatively high credit score, any adverse credit events might still impact your chances; proceed with caution.
If you’re unsure about what’s on your credit file, getting a copy of your credit report is important for you and any advisor you speak with.
Knowing what’s on your credit file will help ensure you can get matched with the best lender the first time around. Too many failed applications can harm your chances with other lenders in the short term.
It's not black and white!
Bad credit mortgages can be a minefield if you’re not experienced.
Lenders’ policies on the specifics vary widely:
- Some have a strict yes/no approach
- Others will consider CCJs provided certain conditions are met
- Some, often the high street brands, review cases individually with no hard and fast policy
The bad credit experts at Online Mortgage Advisor are in contact with these lenders daily and know the intricacies of each lender inside out, including those with no hard, stated policy.
Because they do this every day, after a quick conversation, they can…
- Identify the best mortgages you’re likely to be eligible for
- Tell you the max amount you're able to borrow
- Give you a good idea of the rates and monthly repayments you can expect at these different loan amounts
Meet our bad credit experts
They help people just like you every day. They also ensure the information we provide is accurate and up to date.
Sheridan Repton
Luke Naylor
Graham Turner
Richard Davidson
In addition to this
Even if your CCJS are acceptable to a lender, you could still be rejected due to additional conditions that would need to be met.
In addition to your CCJs, every lender will have unique additional requirements.
Below are some examples…
If you have other bad credit issues on your file, such as defaults or late payments, this will significantly impact how a lender assesses you.
Lenders have varying loan-to-value (LTV) thresholds and may require more deposit or equity if you have CCJs.
Lenders have different loan-to-income criteria. Due to having adverse credit, lenders might raise their minimum income requirements.
Lenders will take differing views on how steady and dependable your income is, and different income sources are treated differently.
Some income will be taken wholly into account, whereas other income might be partially considered or not considered at all.
If you’re employed
- Who is your employer, and how long have you worked there?
- Do you earn overtime, a bonus or commission? If so, how dependable is it?
- Is your contract type permanent, temporary or contractor?
If you’re self-employed
- Are you a company director? If so, lenders will take a view on the proportion of salary, dividends, and retained profits over the past 3 (or fewer) years.
- Are you a sole trader? They’ll each review your accounts differently to understand how dependable your income seems.
The type of mortgage you want will affect your eligibility and the number of deals available to you.
Lenders may have different criteria for borrowers looking to refinance, for example. And, with buy-to-lets, some lenders might require a higher deposit or rental income coverage due to the CCJs.
Many lenders, particularly high street lenders, don’t stick to strict, hard and fast published rules for dealing with CCJs.
Instead, their minimum criteria can often fluctuate based on:
- Minimum loan-to-value (LTV) thresholds
- The severity and timing of adverse credit events
Why this matters…
- The same borrower could be approved one day and declined the next if the lenders tighten their policies.
- Or they may relax their criteria, opening up opportunities that weren’t available before.
In Summary
The process for getting a mortgage is largely the same, whether you have a CCJ or not.
However, it can be like finding a needle in a haystack if you’re trying to do it without the help of an expert. The real challenge lies in:
- Knowing all of the lenders that will actually consider you
- Securing the best possible deal available from those lenders
Whatever you do, don’t panic!
Yes, navigating mortgages if you have a CCJ can feel like a minefield, but there are lenders for almost every situation, including some of the most well-known banks and building societies offering competitive deals.
The trick is knowing which lenders are best for you…
Matthew's Story
Online Mortgage Advisor made this happen
Due to some adverse credit from my Uni days I thought we were going to be renting forever but now we have our perfect three bedroom house near Merseyside. Online Mortgage Advisor made this happen and I couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone that’s had adverse credit history like me.
This is why we exist
Our bad credit experts handle situations like yours every day, so they know exactly:
- Which lenders will consider your application
- What their requirements are
- What rates they offer
With their expertise, they can typically provide the clarity and certainty you need within 10-20 minutes of an initial conversation. And, for those that need a mortgage approved quickly, they can often get you pre-approved that same day.
Why Our Advice Works Better
Not all mortgage advisors are created equal. That’s why Online Mortgage Advisor takes a unique, channel-expertise approach:
- Specialist brokers: Our channel-experts are actively restricted in who they’re allowed to help, to ensure they truly stay at the very top of their game
- Strict vetting: We carefully select and train our advisors to ensure they have the expertise required to succeed
- Customer-led approach: We recognise and reward the performance of our advisors solely based on customer feedback, using AdvisorScore and other metrics, to ensure they can maintain a holistic focus on providing the best possible outcomes for all of their customers.
Everybody is unique, and it’s important to speak with somebody who will understand you without judgment and be able to provide trustworthy solutions.
Our service is hassle-free, and you’ll be protected by our 3 guarantees.
Note
Why a broker matters
Approximately 35% of lenders in the market are only accessible through an advisor. Working with a verified expert ensures you:
- Know what you actually qualify for
- Avoid nasty surprises later in the process
- Get the best possible deal for your situation
I couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone that’s had CCJs
I thought we were going to be renting forever but now we find ourselves in our perfect three bedroom semi-detached house in Merseyside. Online Mortgage Advisor made this happen and I couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone that’s had CCJs like myself.
Matt H
Sheridan and OMA made buying a house possible!
Sheridan was honestly amazing. I had an issue with my credit file that meant I basically had no mortgage options. Sheridan was able to find us a mortgage. He supported us through the whole house buying process and was super responsive, answering all my questions.
Meghan McConnell
Luke was extremely helpful
Luke was extremely helpful and understanding to my situation and gave me honest advice. I had no hesitation in moving forward with him as my mortgage broker and would fully recommend him.
Deborah Dearing
Find out why over 600,000 customers have chosen us
What to do if you’ve been declined
If a lender or other mortgage advisor has turned you down, whether due to CCJs or other adverse credit, don’t lose heart!
While it’s frustrating, especially if you’ve had your heart set on a property, don’t assume straight away that there aren’t other options out there.
People regularly come to us for exactly this reason, and in most cases, we can help. Sometimes our advisors can even get approved by the same lender that previously rejected them!
The mortgage industry doesn’t police how people access advice based on lender experience and specialism. As a result, many people are incorrectly told there are no options available to them, and they tragically miss out on the property or savings they’re eligible for.
Compare CCJ mortgage lenders
If you’re just doing some initial research and want an idea of what’s out there, use our comparison tool. This tool filters results based on official lender criteria and even shares the lender’s officially stated policy, giving you a really helpful starting point.
There is nothing else like this out there on the market!
Compare CCJ mortgages
View personalised lenders, eligibility and rates from across the market using our industry-first comparison tool.
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Live results, updated daily from 90+ lenders
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Filter using official lender eligibility criteria
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Apply a tracker to find out when the lenders and deals you're eligible for have changed
⚠️ A Quick Note Before You Compare
Our tool is a great starting point, but doesn’t provide the full picture.
- Meeting a lender’s CCJ criteria doesn’t guarantee approval: Other factors often come into play.
- Lenders change their rules often, and not everything is published: Sometimes, you’ll technically “qualify” but still get declined, or vice versa.
- Our advisors often place people with high street lenders that others wouldn’t even try: That’s because they know the subtle exceptions and have strong relationships with underwriters.
- If timing matters, be aware: Some lenders move fast. Others can drag things out with no guarantees.
If you’re unsure or need a quick answer, speaking to an expert can save you a lot of time and stress
How much can I borrow?
A CCJ won’t directly impact the amount you can borrow, as your income and outgoings are the main factors. Most lenders cap your borrowing at 4–4.5 times your salary, but some go higher, up to 5.5 or 6 times your income.
However, having CCJs can reduce the number of lenders willing to consider your application. The number and severity of your CCJs will determine how many lenders you have access to, and this can indirectly affect your borrowing capacity.
Additionally, borrowing larger amounts may lead to higher mortgage rates due to the smaller number of lenders that will lend at higher amounts.
For a more accurate idea
Compare CCJ mortgages in our comparison tool, enter your income and see how different loan amounts and CCJs influence lenders, rates, and repayments.
For ironclad answers you can rely on
Have a chat with one of our bad credit experts. They can provide you with a personalised, comprehensive quote and mortgage report.
Article key takeaways
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01
There are options out there!
For the vast majority of CCJ borrowers, there are mortgage lenders willing to consider their CCJs. However, it's not just your CCJs that they will base their decisions on. They will take your entire situation into account. -
02
Finding the best lender can be tricky
Many brokers out there (never mind borrowers) will struggle to even find a lender. Policies vary hugely, and their decisions aren't always black and white. Finding the best possible deal can be like finding a needle in a haystack. -
03
Our Channel-Experts are here when you need them
Because they help bad credit borrowers every day, they know the nuances of lender policies inside-out. They can quickly establish which lenders will lend to you at the best possible rates.
How We Change Lives
Discover stories from customers who've transformed their lives after choosing Online Mortgage Advisor to match them with the perfect broker for their unique needs.
FAQs
Yes, but you’ll need to prove one of the following:
- It was paid within 30 days of being issued
- It’s been six years since you received it
- You successfully disputed the CCJ
- Another party is responsible for it
It’s also a good idea to contact the three credit referencing agencies to request a ‘notice of correction’ so that the CCJ doesn’t harm your credit report.
Yes, it’s still possible, but the application will still be subject to the lender’s policy on CCJs. They’ll assess how much money both you and your partner make and will look at your credit reports and savings.
If one partner has a clean credit history and hasn’t experienced debt problems, it can sometimes make the process easier, especially if the lender feels the partner with the stronger credit can cover all or a significant portion of the mortgage repayments. See our guide on this topic here.
Again, there are no hard and fast rules. It entirely depends on your unique circumstances and preferences.
Sometimes, waiting a certain number of months until your CCJ has been satisfied for over three years, for example, could mean the total number of lenders that open up to you could increase considerably, and the monthly repayments could lower significantly. It can sometimes also be completely unnecessary.
A good advisor will:
- Know the lenders inside out and be able to tell you how much you could save by waiting
- Provide personalised advice and recommendations, centred around your unique situation, preferences and priorities
- Be focused on ensuring you make the best decision possible in line with our mission, not pressuring you into applying prematurely
They’ll also consider other factors. If you’re self-employed, for example, waiting until your next set of accounts is submitted could increase the number of lenders and mortgage options available to you.
A CCJ will expire six years from its registration date and should be removed from your credit file at that point, even if it was never satisfied.
However, in some cases, you may still need to declare expired CCJs if a lender requests information about your broader financial history. The right mortgage advisor should know which lenders may ask about expired CCJs and which ones typically don’t.
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Pete Mugleston
CeMAP Mortgage Advisor, MD
Pete, a CeMAP-qualified mortgage advisor and an expert in all things mortgages, cut his teeth right in the middle of the credit crunch. With plenty of people needing help and few mortgage providers lending, Pete successfully went the extra mile to find mortgages for people whom many others considered lost causes. The experience he gained and his love of helping people reach their goals led him to establish Online Mortgage Advisor, with one clear vision – to help as many customers as possible get the right advice, regardless of need or background.
Pete’s presence in the industry as the ‘go-to’ for specialist finance continues to grow, and he is regularly cited in and writes for both local and national press, as well as trade publications, with a regular column in Mortgage Introducer and being the exclusive mortgage expert for LOVEMoney. Pete also writes for Online Mortgage Advisor of course!