How To Get A Mortgage With Default?

Milton Rodrigues
Updated on 30 January, 2026
How To Get A Mortgage With Default?
Free Mortgage Broker
MariannaFS Fee Free Mortgage Broker logo
TRUSTED MORTGAGE BROKER
 
Visit the MariannaFS website
Free Remortgage
Message MariannaFS mortgage broker on WhatsApp
Chat on Whatsapp
Click to call MariannaFS mortgage broker
Connect on call

Your credit score is one of the most important factors determining the mortgage you could get. Borrowers with missed payments or defaults on their credit files often struggle to geta mortgage for a purchase or a remortgage.

However, it is not impossible to get a mortgage with a default. Let’s find out how…..

 

Can You Get A Mortgage With A Default?

Yes, you can get a mortgage with a default. In most cases, borrowers with bad credit seek help from mortgage brokers who work with specialised lenders. These lenders can offer mortgages to borrowers depending on various circumstances. These circumstances include severity of the default, number of missed payments, time of defaults, and more.

You can get a mortgage with a default if your overall affordability meets the criteria set by the lender. Even a first-time buyer can get a mortgage with default.

 

How Long Does A Default Stay On My Credit Report?

Default will stay on your file for 6 years from the date it is registered. Normally, credit report remarks are taken down after completion of 6 years from the date of occurrence.

 

How Long After A Default I Can Apply For Mortgage?

To apply for a mortgage after the default has been registered on youe file, you will need to wait a minimum of 12 months. That being said, in some cases you could apply sooner for a mortgage, but waiting for longer means is a better chance of acceptance from the lender. Lenders usually have set conditions for accepting applications from those who have defaults. Most high street lenders will unfortunately decline your application with defaults. However, defaults are not as bad as bankruptcy or individual voluntary arrangement (IVA).

 

Do All Defaults Have The Same Impact On My Mortgage?

Not all defaults are the same. Some will have a more severe impact than others, like a default on your mobile phone will be of lower severity than most, so the lender may consider the application despite the default.

Defaults on a secure loan like a mortgage or second charge are more severe, and your lender will factor this in while making an assessment on your mortgage decision. Defaults on credit cards or personal loans are a little less severe than defaults on a secured loan. Your mortgage broker can help you to understand your situation with defaults.

 

How Can You Get A Mortgage With A Default?

Getting a mortgage with a default is not impossible. Firstly, you should get in touch with a specialist mortgage broker, like us at MariannaFS, who work with lenders ready to help borrowers with defaults. Your broker will then prepare for you to make your mortgage application while finding the most suitable lender for your case.

Before you have a mortgage broker on board, you will need to get your documents in order e.g. you will need to download your latest credit report to show the nature of your defaults, income proof, bank’s statement and more.

Your Mortgage broker will help you gather the documents you need, depending on the lender you approach. The lender will then assess these details before making an offer. If you meet the lender’s criteria, they will approve your application and you can have a mortgage with a default.

 

Remortgaging With A Default

It is possible for a borrower to accumulate bad credit after getting a mortgage. This can make remortgaging difficult. However, bad credit remortgaging is possible if you approach specialised lenders (again, like us at MariannaFS) with the right mortgage broker.

Just like getting a mortgage, remortgaging with a default will not be straight forward. The lender will be looking into your financial condition such as the amount of the default, time since default and what type of default. Considering all the factors, remortgages with defaults is possible.

 

What Factors Could Affect Your Mortgage Application With Defaults.

While the specific criteria differ for different lenders, here are the most important factors lenders consider while assessing mortgage applications with defaults:

Time of Default

Your lender is most likely to look at the date of your last default. Default payments remain on your credit files for six years. If you had defaulted on a payment longer than six years ago, you need not worry about that influencing your mortgage application.

The longer ago you incurred a default, the better it is for your mortgage application. More recent defaults are viewed as high risks for most lenders, adversely impacting your chances of approval. However, you can always check with different lenders and see if they have criteria that suits your circumstances.

Value of  Your Defaults

Monetary value of your defaults also has a significant impact on the lender’s assessment of your application. For example, the lender may only approve applications with a total default under £500 or a single default of over £250. Naturally, smaller defaults increase chances of your application’s approval. But, if your default value is higher than £500 ,many lenders will drop out.

Number of Defaults

If you have numerous defaults on your credit file, it means that you are likely to default on your payments again, increasing the risk for your lender. Lenders prefer working with borrowers having minimum defaults.

Many lenders also have criteria limiting the number of defaults over a specific period of time. For example, they may not approve applications exceeding four defaults over a period of two years. Ensure that you know lender’s criteria before approaching them.

The Status of Your Defaults

Lenders would also like to know if you paid off your defaults. If you still have unpaid debt, it’s considered riskier for a lender to give you more money. If you plan on getting a mortgage with a default, it is advisable to make all your outstanding payments if possible.

When you do so, the default status on your credit report will change to “satisfied.” A lender is more likely to approve applications with “satisfied” defaults as it gives them the assurance of you repaying their loan.

Type of Defaults

What you defaulted on will also impact a lender’s assessment of your mortgage application. Most lenders take missed repayments on secured loans like mortgages seriously. Smaller defaults like missed repayments on mobile phone contracts may be viewed leniently by most mortgage lenders.

Your Overall Financial Condition

Your mortgage lender will assess your overall financial condition since your last default. If you have been able to regain your lost financial stability, your application approval chances can be improved. If your report shows other credit issues, that are yet to be resolved, your mortgage application approval will be difficult. Before you approach a lender, work with your mortgage broker to analyse your current financial circumstances.

 

Why Should You Work With Mortgage Broker If You Have A Defaults?

Getting a mortgage or a remortgage with default can get tricky for most borrowers, especially if you are first-time buyers. If you are a borrower looking for a mortgage with default on your own, it would be difficult to find a lender. Mortgage brokers are licensed professionals who know the market from the inside out. Working with independent mortgage broker can improve your chances of mortgage approval, as they can search whole of market including specialist lenders.

When you work with a skilled local mortgage broker, you can hope to buy your dream property, despite having defaults on your credit files.

 

Mortgage Broker at MariannaFS Can Help For  Mortgage With Default

 

FAQs:

Will defaults stop me from getting a mortgage?

Yes and No is the answer as many high street lender will not lend with defaults but specialist lenders will still consider applicants with credit defaults – satisfied or unsatisfied. The longer your default has been recorded on your credit file, the better chance you have of getting the mortgage you need. Lenders prefer to see the defaults settle than unsettle.

Can you get a mortgage if one person has a default?

Getting mortgages with defaults on your credit record is possible! However, in joint mortgage application both the applicant credit scoring matters If one applicant with default and another with clean credit it still can effect the mortgage  application. Lenders look at the size of the default and date it is registered 

 

 

 

What Our Clients Say

More Guides

What Is APRC?
APRC refers to the annual percentage rate. As the name suggests, it is the rate of interest a lender charges for their loan on an annual basis. This interest is often associated with financial instruments like credit cards, loans, mortgages, etc. It lets the borrowers know how much interest they will be charged for the amount borrowed annually.
99% Mortgage For First Time Buyer
It is been reported government is planning to introduce new 99% LTV mortgage with 1 % deposit to help first time buyer to be on the property ladder.
Tenants In Common” And “Joint Tenants
Especially in the case of first-time buyers, people choose to purchase properties with their friends or partners. This helps them reduce the deposit paid by each individual and increases the amount they can borrow. While most people choose to partner with one other individual, it is possible for up to 4 individuals to be legal owners of a property. However, confusion between Tenants in Common and Joint Tenants is common when it comes to joint ownership. If you are planning to
Higher Interest Rates And Remortgaging Options
As of the August of 2023, the Bank of England has increased its base rate for the 14th consecutive time, making it more difficult for borrowers to get good mortgage deals. The current base rate of 5.25% is the highest it has ever been since March 2008. Speaking of high rates, the average two-year fixed mortgage rate in the UK is now at 6.85%, crossing the peak of 6.55% in October.
Facts About Mortgages
Getting a mortgage is always an important event in an individual’s life. It is, therefore, common for people to get excited and confused at the same time. Especially if you are getting a mortgage for the first time, it is always important to be familiar with the manner in which the process works. Moreover, is important to seek help from professional advisors. For example, if you are looking for a property in Hounslow, look for the best mortgage advisor Hounslow has to offer b
Guide to Gifted Deposit
Deposits often play a decisive role in finalizing a borrower’s decision especially in the case of first-time buyers, mortgage down payments are often highly important and worrisome factors. Mortgage deposit gifts reduce this burden to a great extent, making the process of getting a mortgage a lot easier. If you are facing a financial crunch while getting a mortgage for your property, a mortgage deposit gift from your family members can be a great relief. On the other hand, if
Right to buy mortgage
A right to buy mortgage is a government mortgage scheme that allows council tenants in the UK to purchase the houses they live in. These properties are often sold at a discount and in many cases, the tenants are not required to pay the deposit as well. Here, the councils let the mortgage borrowers put the discount offered to them towards the purchase price of the property. A right to buy mortgage is subject to the same eligibility criteria that are applicable for a normal mor
What can stop you getting mortgage
Purchasing a property through a mortgage is a significant decision that requires careful consideration, especially if you are not a cash buyer. Most of us fund the property purchase via deposit and mortgage. But what can stop you from getting a mortgage? There are several considerations one should keep in mind before going ahead and making the application. As the market is highly in demand and growing property prices, it is advisable to work with a reliable, dedicated, and ex
What is a fixed rate mortgage?
As the name suggests, a fixed-rate mortgage is a type of mortgage where the rate of interest remains the same for a pre-decided period of time. This period is known as the fixed term of the mortgage. While many lenders offer fixed terms between 2,3 and 5 years, some mortgage lenders stretch it as long as 10 years or more. One of the biggest benefits of getting a fixed-rate mortgage is that your monthly repayments do not change even if the interest rate in the market (and of y

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments

Chat with us on WhatsApp