Understand your position
We review your goals, income, commitments, deposit or equity and timescale.
SPECIALIST PROPERTY FINANCE
Bad-credit mortgages
Specialist mortgage advice when missed payments or previous credit problems make the standard route harder. Speak to an adviser who will assess your full circumstances, not just a headline number.
No obligation · Initial conversation does not affect your credit score
Written and reviewed by Smart Mortgages specialistsReviewed 21 August 2026 · FCA reference 912358
BAD-CREDIT MORTGAGE HUB
Choose the guidance that matches your credit history.
Different credit events are assessed in different ways. Start with the most relevant guide, or speak to us if more than one applies.
Read our complete credit-impaired mortgage guide →
How we help with bad-credit mortgages
Finding the right funding is about more than comparing rates. Property type, rental or trading income, experience, valuation and ownership structure can all change the outcome.
Compare suitable options
We assess lender criteria, overall cost and suitability, not only the initial rate.
Manage the application
Your adviser and case manager keep the lender, valuation and legal process moving.
Past credit problems do not define your future
A missed payment, default, CCJ, IVA, debt-management plan or bankruptcy can reduce the lenders available, but it does not automatically mean a mortgage is impossible. We review what happened, when it happened and how your position has changed.
Understand the history
Review dates, balances, current status and the circumstances behind each credit event.
Check the deposit
Establish how deposit or equity affects lender choice and pricing.
Choose the right lender
Approach lenders whose current criteria fit rather than making speculative applications.
Present the full story
Package income, conduct and supporting evidence clearly from the outset.
Your Smart Mortgages contact
Aaron leads complex and adverse-credit cases, supported by the adviser best matched to your location.
Past credit problems do not define your future FAQs
Can I get a mortgage with bad credit?
Potentially. Options depend on the type, value, age and status of the credit issue, along with deposit, income, affordability and the property.
Will checking my options affect my credit score?
An initial conversation with Smart Mortgages does not involve a lender credit search. We explain any credit check before submitting it.
Should I wait until the issue is older?
Sometimes waiting improves lender choice or pricing, but not always. We can compare what may be possible now with the potential benefit of waiting.
First-time buyer with a recent default
A historic credit problem had reduced the client’s lender options and confidence about buying.
How we approached it
Read the full case study →Individual circumstances and outcomes vary. This example is not a guarantee of acceptance.We checked the date, value, status and explanation, reviewed the available deposit and avoided lenders whose criteria did not fit.
Specialist knowledge that can make the difference
Our team regularly works with bad credit, missed payments, CCJs, defaults, IVAs and debt management plans. If a lender or another broker has already said no, that does not always mean there is no route forward. We can review your circumstances and whether a different lender or structure may be appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I borrow?
It depends on the property, income or rent, deposit or equity, experience, credit profile and lender policy. We provide a case-specific assessment.
Does an initial conversation affect my credit score?
No. An initial discussion with our team does not involve a lender credit search.
Can you help throughout the UK?
Yes. Our branches cover Northern Ireland and Scotland, and we advise clients across the UK.