Adverse Credit? Here’s How You Can Still Get a Mortgage

Zak Hewes
Jul 15, 2025
2 min read

If you’ve had credit issues in the past, getting a mortgage might feel out of reach. But here’s the good news: having adverse credit doesn’t mean it’s impossible to buy a home.

At Your Mortgage Manager, we help people every day who’ve been turned down elsewhere—or assumed they couldn’t get approved. This guide explains how it works and what you can do to move forward.

💳 What is Considered “Adverse Credit”?

“Adverse credit” is a general term lenders use to describe a range of credit problems, such as:

Missed payments (on loans, credit cards, or bills)
Defaults
County Court Judgments (CCJs)
Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs)
Bankruptcy
Debt Management Plans

Each lender has their own criteria, and how recent or severe your credit issues are can make a big difference.

✅ Can You Get a Mortgage With Bad Credit?

Yes—you absolutely can. But it may require:

A larger deposit (often 15–25%)
A specialist lender who’s comfortable working with your credit profile
A solid explanation of your past financial issues
Evidence of affordability and recent good conduct

Many mainstream banks say no to anything outside their criteria—but we work with a wide panel of lenders, including those who say yes when others don’t.

🛠️ How to Improve Your Chances of Approval

Even if your credit isn’t perfect, there are steps you can take now to strengthen your mortgage application:

1. Check Your Credit Report

Use free tools like Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Look for errors and fix anything that’s outdated or incorrect.

2. Reduce Unsecured Debt

Lower credit card balances and avoid taking out new credit in the months before applying.

3. Stay Up to Date on Payments

Show that you’ve turned things around by keeping all payments on time—this builds trust with lenders.

4. Register on the Electoral Roll

Being registered to vote at your current address helps improve your credit score.

5. Work With a Mortgage Broker

That’s where we come in—we understand which lenders are more flexible, and we know how to present your case in the best light.

🤔 What Kind of Mortgage Can You Get?

That depends on your situation. Some lenders are fine with a default over 2 years old, while others will accept recent missed payments if you have a strong explanation.

We can help you explore:

Bad credit mortgages
Specialist lender options
Guarantor or joint borrower mortgages (if needed)
Shared ownership or Help to Buy, if eligible

💬 Real Support. No Judgment.

We get it—life happens. Whether your credit problems were due to illness, redundancy, or just life getting in the way, we’ll always treat your situation with respect and discretion.