CCJ Mortgage — First-Time Buyer Approved in 3 Weeks

⚠️ The Challenge

Two major lenders had already declined based on the CCJ appearing in automated credit scoring. Each decline left a hard search on the credit file, which was starting to create a secondary problem — multiple applications in a short period were themselves becoming a red flag.

The client had been told by one bank that they would need to wait until the CCJ dropped off the credit file — another 4 years — before they could get a mortgage. This was incorrect advice, but understandably demoralising.

🔍 What Darryl Did

Darryl reviewed the full credit file and immediately identified that the CCJ was satisfied, 2 years old, and for a relatively small amount — all factors that specialist adverse credit lenders view far more favourably than automated systems at high street banks.

Rather than making further applications, Darryl conducted a soft search assessment to identify the right lender without adding another hard search to the credit file. He identified a specialist lender whose criteria specifically allowed satisfied CCJs over 12 months old at 90% LTV.

Darryl packaged the application with full context — the CCJ was from a landlord dispute, the client had an otherwise clean credit file, stable employment and a good savings history. This context, presented clearly to a manually underwritten lender, made the difference between a decline and an approval.