🏆 Award-Winning UK Bad Credit Specialist · FCA No. 301173
I Have Equity But Bad Credit — What Are My Options?
Darryl Dhoffer
CeMAP · CeRER · FCA 301173 · ⭐ 50 Reviews
"Equity is your biggest advantage when you have bad credit. Free assessment — no credit search, no obligation. I respond within 2 hours."
If you own a property with real equity in it, bad credit does not shut the door the way most people assume. Loan-to-value is one of the biggest factors specialist lenders weigh against CCJs, defaults or an IVA — the more equity you have, the wider your lender panel becomes. This page explains what is realistically possible and how to use your equity properly.
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Equity Is Your Biggest Advantage — Even With Bad Credit
Most people assume a CCJ, default or IVA rules them out of borrowing more against their home. It doesn't — not automatically. Lenders assess risk primarily through loan-to-value (LTV): how much you owe against what the property is worth. The more equity you have, the lower your LTV, and the lower your LTV, the more lenders will consider your case regardless of adverse credit.
A borrower with 40% equity and a recent CCJ has meaningfully better options than a borrower with 10% equity and identical credit history. This is why "I have equity but bad credit" is actually a strong starting position, not a weak one — you just need a broker who knows which of the 65+ lenders out there will look at the full picture.
The first step is a free, no-obligation assessment. Darryl reviews your equity position and your credit history together and tells you honestly what's realistic — before any application is made and before anything touches your credit file.
🏦 How Your Equity Position Affects Your Options
Your Equity Position
What's Typically Possible
40%+ equity (60% LTV or below)
Most specialist lenders will consider CCJs, defaults or an IVA
25–40% equity
Wide specialist panel, slightly tighter on recent or unsatisfied issues
15–25% equity
Still workable with most credit histories, fewer lenders
Under 15% equity
Options narrow but rarely disappear — depends on age/severity of the issue
Indicative only, September 2026. Subject to individual circumstances and lender criteria.
Not the same as "equity release": Equity release is a specific regulated product — a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan, normally only available from age 55, with no monthly repayments and interest that rolls up over time. If you want to remortgage or borrow more against your home in the ordinary way, that's a standard remortgage or further advance, not equity release. Looking for the lifetime mortgage product specifically? See our equity release mortgage guide.
✅ Bad Credit We Specialise In
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CCJs
County Court Judgments — satisfied or unsatisfied, recent or historic. We know which lenders look past them.
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Defaults
Single or multiple defaults across telecoms, utilities, credit cards or loans. Age and amount matter — we know how.
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IVA / DMP
Currently in or recently completed an IVA or Debt Management Plan. Options exist — we'll find them.
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Missed Payments
Late or missed payments on mortgage, loans or credit cards. Context matters more than the mark itself.
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Repossession
Previous property repossession. Specialist lenders will consider this — timeline and deposit are key.
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Bankruptcy
Discharged bankruptcy. Many clients are surprised what's possible even shortly after discharge.
Darryl Dhoffer — The Mortgage Geezer
20+ years in mortgages. Award-winning specialist. I've helped hundreds of people across the UK who were told "no" by their bank — first-time buyers, remortgagers, landlords and homeowners with every type of adverse credit history.
I work with 65+ lenders including specialist adverse credit lenders that don't appear on comparison sites. I don't just find you a mortgage — I find you the best mortgage your equity and situation allow, and I create a plan to improve your options at every future remortgage.
CeMAP QUALIFIED
CeRER QUALIFIED
FCA NO. 301173
AWARD WINNING
FEATURED: DAILY EXPRESS
FEATURED: FT ADVISER
💬 What Clients Say
★★★★★
"Excellent service from start to finish. Darryl was extremely responsive throughout, always replying quickly to questions and keeping me updated at every stage. His communication was clear and easy to understand, even with the more technical parts of the mortgage process. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a mortgage broker."
Fizz Solmon — Google Review
★★★★★
"Darryl was absolutely amazing from the first phone-call to the very quick mortgage offer! As first-time buyers who weren't even sure we could get a mortgage, this actually feels like nothing short of a miracle!"
Kate Dalton — First-Time Buyer
★★★★★
"Just when I had lost all hope, I found Darryl and within weeks my mortgage was approved. Given my bad credit history, I honestly didn't think any of this would be possible."
Tim Ellis — Bad Credit Mortgage
★★★★★
"After approaching Darryl with what I thought was going to be a tricky case, he immediately put my nerves at ease. Within a few weeks he had secured us a deal."
Hayley Beale — Complex Case
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
I have equity but bad credit — can I still remortgage or borrow against my home? ›
Yes, in most cases. Equity is one of the strongest factors a specialist lender looks at when you have adverse credit. A lower loan-to-value ratio — meaning more equity — opens up lenders who would decline a high-LTV application with the exact same credit history. Darryl reviews your equity position and credit history together to find lenders who will actually say yes.
How much equity do I need to remortgage with bad credit? ›
There is no fixed minimum, but the more you have the wider your options. With 40%+ equity (60% LTV or below), most specialist lenders will consider CCJs, defaults or an IVA. Below 15% equity, options narrow but rarely disappear completely — it depends on the age and severity of the credit issue.
Can I release cash from my equity if I have CCJs or defaults? ›
Yes, this is usually done through a remortgage with additional borrowing, or a further advance from your existing lender. Specialist lenders will consider releasing equity for debt consolidation, home improvements or other purposes, provided the new borrowing remains affordable.
Is using my equity the same as "equity release"? ›
No, and this trips a lot of people up. Equity release is a specific regulated product — a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan — normally only available from age 55, with no monthly repayments and interest that rolls up over time. If you are simply remortgaging or borrowing more against your home in the normal way, that is a standard remortgage, not equity release. Darryl will tell you honestly which one actually fits your situation.
Will my bad credit stop me using my equity at all? ›
Very rarely completely. Even with CCJs, defaults, an IVA or a discharged bankruptcy, if you have meaningful equity in your home, some specialist lender among the 65+ Darryl works with is likely to consider your case. The honest answer on whether it is worth proceeding takes one free assessment, not a guess.
Ready to Find Out What's Possible?
Free assessment. No credit search. No obligation. Darryl personally reviews every enquiry and responds within 2 hours.
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✉️ contact@themortgagegeezer.co.uk
🔒 FCA No. 301173
⭐ 50 Five-Star Reviews
Lender criteria, rates and deposit requirements quoted on this page are indicative and subject to change without notice. Individual circumstances vary. This page provides general information only and does not constitute regulated financial advice. The Mortgage Geezer is a trading style of Access Financial Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Services Register number is 301173. Registered in England No. 04427489. Registered office address Access Financial Services Ltd, Unit 1 Furtho Court, Towcester Road, Old Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK19 6AN. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP YOUR REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED AGAINST IT.