Key Points
- Getting a mortgage with a CCJ is definitely possible. Even though a CCJ lowers your credit score and limits lender options, IT IS still possible
- Key factors for being accepted include the age and status of the CCJ, your income and employment stability, and evidence of improved financial behaviour
- Checking your credit report, settling debts, saving a larger deposit, and working with a specialist mortgage broker can significantly improve your likelihood of approval
Getting a mortgage with a CCJ understandably seems daunting. Indeed, a CCJ, or County Court Judgment, impacts your credit score, which in turn impacts your mortgage eligibility, so it makes complete sense why people doubt their chances.
However, ignore the myths and don’t lose hope because IT IS possible to obtain a mortgage even with a CCJ.
By understanding the process and learning what lenders look for when you have bad credit, you can significantly improve your chances of a successful mortgage application.
Fortunately, for you, this guide contains the 5 steps you need to know to navigate the mortgage process when you have bad credit from a CCJ.
What is a CCJ and How Does It Affect Your Mortgage Chances?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a type of court order in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that might be registered against you if you fail to repay money you owe.
If you pay off a CCJ in full within 30 days of receiving the judgment, you can apply through the court to have it removed; otherwise it will remain on the Register for six years.
This record can seriously affect your ability to get a mortgage as many lenders view it as a sign of past financial issues.
As of April 2025, approximately one in every 14 people in the UK had a judgment against them, showing that this isn’t a rare problem.
Despite these hurdles, it’s possible to improve your situation and ensure that your mortgage application is successful.
How do I know if I have a CCJ?
You may potentially be unaware of a CCJ against your name due to moving address or missing the notice, for example.
To check if one has been filed against your name, you can head over to Registry of Judgments, Orders and Fines website where you can pay £4 to perform a check on yourself. It will also be on your credit file, which you can check here.
Can You Get a Mortgage With a CCJ?
The simple answer is yes, getting a mortgage with a CCJ is possible.
While this may be the case, it certainly isn’t as easy as a standard application.
When considering your application, lenders will look at:
- How recent the CCJ was registered (usually, the older it is, the more chance you have of success)
- If the CCJ has been marked as ‘satisfied’ (you will stand a better chance if it has been, particularly if 12 months have passed)
- The financial amount of the CCJ
- How many CCJs you have against your name (if you have more than one it will make your application harder, but it is still possible to secure a loan)
Lenders often focus on the bigger financial picture. Demonstrating a stable income and improved credit behaviour can significantly boost your chances when looking at getting a mortgage with a CCJ.
Working with a specialist mortgage broker can save you a lot of time and stress. They’ve helped many clients with CCJs secure mortgages before, so know exactly what lenders are looking for.
Can You Get a Shared Ownership Mortgage With a CCJ?
It’s still possible to get a shared ownership mortgage if you have a CCJ, although the application process is slightly different from a standard mortgage.
With a shared ownership mortgage, you’ll usually buy between 25% and 75% of the property. You’ll take out a mortgage on the share you own, while a housing association owns the remaining portion. You’ll pay rent on that share, and if your circumstances change, you can increase your ownership over time through a process known as staircasing.
One of the main advantages of shared ownership is that you’ll often need a smaller deposit than you would for a traditional mortgage, as you’re only borrowing to buy part of the property’s value. However, the minimum deposit required will still vary depending on the lender and your individual financial circumstances.
You can learn more about the shared ownership scheme on our shared ownership mortgages page.
How Much Can You Borrow if You Have a CCJ?
The amount you can borrow if you have a CCJ will depend on several factors, including the number and value of your CCJs, whether they’ve been satisfied, your income, and the size of your deposit.
We can assess your individual circumstances and help determine how much you’re likely to be able to borrow. Please contact us today to find out your borrowing power, completely free of charge.
How Does a CCJ Affect Your Mortgage Application?
A CCJ doesn’t just lower a number on a credit report, it actually changes the shape of your application in several ways:
- Fewer lenders. Many mainstream lenders use automated credit scoring and will decline a CCJ before a real person ever gets a chance to see the case.
- Higher interest rates. Lenders that do accept CCJs price in the extra risk, so your rate is usually higher than an applicant without one.
- A larger deposit. That extra risk also means you can expect to put down a greater deposit (more on the typical figures below).
- Lower borrowing limits. Where a clean applicant might borrow up to around 4.5–5× income, affordability checks for CCJ applicants can be stricter, potentially reducing the maximum you can borrow.
- More documentation and a longer process. You’ll often need to explain the circumstances behind the CCJ and provide more paperwork.
By working with a specialist broker experienced in helping clients with one or even multiple CCJs, you’ll apply to the right lenders from the outset, giving you the best chance of securing a competitive rate. They’ll also handle the conversations with lenders, explaining your circumstances on your behalf.
How Long Does a CCJ Affect Your Mortgage Chances?
A CCJ affects your applications for up to six years, because as previously mentioned that’s how long it stays on your credit file. But its impact fades well before then:
- Under 12 months = Highest risk. High-street lenders will definitely decline your application; specialist lenders only.
- 1-3 years = Moderate risk. More options open up, especially if satisfied.
- 3-6 years (satisfied) = Lower risk. Some near-prime and a few high-street lenders may consider you.
- 6 years + = No longer on your file, treated like any other applicant, assuming clean history since.
Satisfied vs Unsatisfied CCJs
This is one of the biggest factors in a lender’s decision, so it’s worth being precise:
A satisfied CCJ means you’ve paid the debt in full and it’s marked “satisfied” on your file. Lenders view this far more favourably as it shows you’ve put the problem right. Some stillprefer at least 12 months to have passed since you settled it.
An unsatisfied CCJ means the debt is still outstanding. This is harder to place. Fewer lenders will consider it, the deposit required is usually higher, and the rate steeper. Some lenders won’t lend at all until it’s settled.
If you can clear an outstanding CCJ before applying, it’s almost always worth doing.
Having Multiple CCJs
Having more than one CCJ can definitely make it more challenging to get a mortgage; however, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be turned down.
When assessing your application, lenders will usually consider:
- How many CCJs you have
- The total value of the judgments
- Whether any of the CCJs have been satisfied (paid off)
Some lenders specialise in helping applicants with multiple CCJs, so there may still be mortgage options available for you. However, you may need a larger deposit, and the interest rate is very likely to be higher than what’s offered on standard mortgage deals.
Can You Get a CCJ Removed From Your Credit Profile?
A CCJ will usually stay on your credit file for six years from the date it was issued, even if you pay it off before then. However, there are some situations where it can be removed sooner:
- The CCJ was issued in error: If you believe a CCJ has been recorded incorrectly, you can challenge it with the credit reference agency and ask for a Notice of Correction to be added to your credit report. If you were never notified about the CCJ, you’ll need to contact the court where it was originally issued.
- You paid it within 30 days: If you settle the full amount within 30 days of the judgment being issued, you can apply to have the CCJ removed from your credit file straight away.
- The CCJ is more than six years old: Once six years have passed, a settled CCJ should automatically be removed from your credit file. If it still appears after this time, contact the credit reference agency and ask them to update your record.
- You successfully challenged the judgment: If the court agrees that the CCJ should be set aside or cancelled, it should also be removed from your credit file.
If you’d like some support with any of these situations, we’d be happy to help talk you through them.
How Does a CCJ Impact a Joint Mortgage Application?
If you’re applying jointly and only one of you has a CCJ, lenders don’t average your credit scores, they unfortunately assess the application against the weaker profile.
So one partner’s clean record doesn’t cancel out the other’s CCJ.
However, securing a joint mortgage is still very achievable, but it usually means going to a specialist lender.
What to do if You’ve Been Declined
If your CCJ mortgage application has been declined it certainly isn’t the end of the road, it often just means that you, or whoever did your application on your behalf, approached the wrong lender. Here’s what you need to do before reapplying:
- Avoid firing off more applications, which add searches to your file.
- Find out why you were declined and which lender it was with.
- Follow the six steps below
- Speak to a specialist broker who can match you to a lender whose criteria actually fit your CCJ.
If you do all of those things you’ll be much more likely to have your application accepted second time around.
6 Steps to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Mortgage with a CCJ
1) Check Your Credit Report
You need to start by checking your credit report. It’s important to identify any errors that could be harming your credit score.
2) Settling Your CCJ
Next, focus on settling your CCJ if it’s still outstanding. A satisfied CCJ is understandably more favourable in lenders’ eyes.
At this stage, you should also look at paying off other debts as well to minimise your financial burdens. However, only do so if it is financially feasible.
3) Boost Your Credit Score
Boost your credit score by adopting good habits:
- Pay all of your bills on time (that includes credit card bills, utility bills and any other regular payments)
- Reduce your credit card balances
- Register on the electoral role if you haven’t already (this will help lenders verify your identity and address)
- If you’re currently renting use a tool like CreditLadder to report rental payments to credit agencies
- These actions will steadily improve your credit profile.
- Also make sure that you’re not using buy now pay later schemes like Klarna or ClearPay as lenders could view these as signs of financial stress or over-reliance on short-term credit
We have plenty tools that can help you achieve a higher greater score. Get in contact today to find out how we can help.
4) Your Deposit
Consider saving for a larger deposit. A substantial deposit reduces the lender’s risk, making you a more appealing candidate. It can also help secure better mortgage terms.
5) Avoid New Credit Application
Each new credit search can nudge your score down. Hold off on car finance, new cards or loans in the run-up to your mortgage application.
6) Find a Mortgage Broker
Consult with a mortgage broker who specialises in bad credit scenarios. They’ll know the lenders that are most likely to accept your application and they’ll also be able to support you with making your application stronger.
If you do decide to go with a mortgage broker, whether you’re getting a mortgage with a CCJ or not, make sure you’re completely honest with them about your financial history. Failing to do so will make your application far more difficult and stressful.
Can You Get a Mortgage With a CCJ Using The Levels Financial?
Absolutely! Using a mortgage broker with expert knowledge of securing mortgages for those with a CCJ can be a game changer, helping to maximise your chances of securing a mortgage on the home you have your eye on.
At The Levels Financial, our team of award-winning mortgage advisors know exactly what is needed to secure you a mortgage despite the fact you may have bad credit as a result of a CCJ. We’re on hand to help and only a call or email away!
Because we always have your best interests at heart, you need to know that if you do not keep up with your mortgage repayments your home may be repossessed.
A fee may be included for mortgage advice. Fees can be up to 1%, but typically a fee is 0.3% of the borrowed amount.
