How to Choose a Bad Credit Mortgage Broker: 6 Things to Check

1. Do they have access to lenders that underwrite adverse credit manually?

Mainstream banks mostly rely on automated credit scoring, which can decline a CCJ, default or IVA before a person ever looks at the case. A specialist broker should be able to place you with lenders that assess manually, many of which only accept applications through brokers. Ask which lenders they use and how many are on their panel.

How we do it: The Mortgage Geezer works with a panel of 65+ lenders, including specialist adverse-credit lenders such as Pepper Money, Kensington, Aldermore, Bluestone and Vida.

2. Do they check lender criteria before any credit search or application?

Every hard search and declined application leaves a mark on your file. A good broker reviews your credit file and matches it to lender criteria first, so the application goes to a lender that is likely to say yes.

How we do it: Darryl's free assessment involves no credit search, and live lender criteria are checked for every case before an application is submitted.

3. Will they package your case with context?

Manual underwriters want the story behind the file: what happened (redundancy, illness, divorce, a business cash-flow problem), when, and what has changed since. A broker who simply forwards forms leaves that to chance.

How we do it: Darryl presents each case with the context an automated system would miss: what happened, when, and the clean conduct since.

4. Are the fees clear before you commit?

Ask for fees in writing before you agree to anything. Be cautious of non-refundable upfront retainers before your eligibility has even been assessed. Remember that lenders also charge their own product fees, separate from any broker fee.

How we do it: Darryl does not charge upfront. A broker fee is payable on mortgage offer and agreed before any application is made; the initial assessment is free.

5. Are they FCA authorised and properly qualified?

Mortgage advice in the UK must come from an FCA-authorised firm. You can check any firm's status on the FCA Financial Services Register, and ask what qualifications the adviser holds.

How we do it: The Mortgage Geezer is a trading style of Access Financial Services Ltd, FCA register number 301173. Darryl Dhoffer is CeMAP and CeRER qualified.

6. Are they responsive and honest about your chances?

Adverse-credit cases move faster when your broker answers questions quickly and tells you straight if you are better off waiting or fixing something first.

How we do it: Darryl reviews every enquiry personally and aims to respond within 2 hours. Verified Google reviews are on the reviews page.

Credit reports: a multi-agency report showing each default or CCJ with dates, amounts and whether it is satisfied. Our credit report reader can help you make sense of it.
Bank statements: the last 3 to 6 months, showing bills paid on time.
Proof of income: recent payslips, or if self-employed, your tax calculations or accounts.
Deposit evidence: where the money has come from and how long it has been in place.