🏆 Award-Winning UK Bad Credit Specialist · FCA No. 301173
Can You Get a Mortgage With a Default?
The short answer
Can you get a mortgage with a default? Yes. Defaults are one of the most commonly placed forms of adverse credit in the UK. What matters is the age of the default, the amount, and whether it is satisfied. Settled defaults over 24 months old can often be placed with 5–10% deposit; recent unsatisfied defaults typically need 25–30%. Mobile phone and utility defaults under £500 are frequently ignored by specialist lenders altogether.
Darryl Dhoffer
CeMAP · CeRER · FCA 301173 · ⭐ 47 Reviews
"I specialise in exactly this. Free assessment — no credit search, no obligation. I respond within 2 hours."
Can You Get a Mortgage With a Default — Darryl Dhoffer places cases the high street declines. He works with 65+ lenders including specialist adverse credit lenders, and knows which of them will genuinely consider your situation and at what rate.
Being declined feels personal. It isn't — banks use computers. Darryl uses judgement.
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🏆 Award-Winning Broker
🏦 65+ Lenders
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Will a Default Stop Me Getting a Mortgage — What You Actually Need to Know
Can you get a mortgage with a default?
Yes. Defaults are one of the most commonly placed adverse credit cases Darryl deals with. What matters is how old the default is, the amount, whether it's satisfied, and your deposit. A small satisfied default from three years ago is a very different case to a £5,000 unsatisfied one from last month — but both are placeable with the right lender.
Will I get a mortgage with a default?
In most cases, yes — but not from a high street bank running automated scoring. You will usually need a specialist lender who assesses your case manually. Darryl will tell you honestly which lenders would consider you before any application is made.
Getting a mortgage with a default — where do I start?
Start with a free assessment, not an application. Applying to the wrong lender leaves a hard search on your file and makes the next attempt harder. Darryl reviews your default details first and matches you to lenders whose criteria you actually meet.
Can you get a mortgage with defaults — more than one?
Yes. There is no fixed cap. Darryl has placed cases with a single default and with five or more. What matters more than the count is the total value, how old they are, and whether they are satisfied.
High street lenders run automated credit scoring, and an adverse credit marker usually triggers a decline before a human ever sees your case. Specialist lenders work differently. They assess the full picture — what happened, when, how much, and what your finances look like now.
Darryl Dhoffer has spent 20+ years placing cases the high street turned down. He works with 65+ lenders, including specialist adverse credit lenders you will not find on comparison sites, and knows which of them will genuinely consider your situation.
The first step is a free, no-obligation assessment. Darryl reviews your full circumstances and tells you honestly what is possible — before any application is made and before anything touches your credit file.
✅ 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 situation allows, 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. Darryl worked hard to find the right options for my situation and made the whole process feel straightforward and stress-free. 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
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ in the UK? ›
Yes. A CCJ does not automatically prevent you from getting a mortgage in the UK. The key factors are how old the CCJ is, the amount, and whether it has been satisfied (paid off). Many specialist lenders will consider CCJs that are 12 months or older, and after 3 years your options increase significantly. Darryl Dhoffer specialises in CCJ mortgages and knows exactly which lenders will consider your specific situation.
How old does a CCJ need to be to get a mortgage? ›
Some specialist lenders will consider CCJs from as recent as 12 months ago. After 2-3 years, more options become available. After 6 years the CCJ drops off your credit file entirely. The key factor alongside age is whether the CCJ has been satisfied — a paid-off CCJ is viewed much more favourably than an outstanding one.
Do I need to pay off my CCJ before getting a mortgage? ›
Not necessarily, but satisfying your CCJ significantly improves your options. Some lenders require satisfaction before they will lend; others will consider unsatisfied CCJs depending on the age and amount. Darryl will advise on whether settling your CCJ before applying makes financial sense for your specific situation.
What deposit do I need for a CCJ mortgage? ›
Most specialist CCJ lenders want at least 10-15% deposit, though this depends heavily on the age and amount of the CCJ. With a 25% deposit your options improve significantly. Darryl has secured CCJ mortgages with smaller deposits in cases where the CCJ is old, small or satisfied.
Will a CCJ mortgage cost me more? ›
CCJ mortgages typically carry slightly higher interest rates reflecting the lender's perception of risk. However, the difference is often smaller than people expect — and as your credit improves and the CCJ ages, you can remortgage onto better rates. Darryl will show you the best available rate for your CCJ situation and create a plan for future improvement.
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
⭐ 47 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.