Mortgage With a CCJ FAQ
General information only. This is not financial advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-06
Can I get a mortgage if I have a CCJ?
Yes, though options depend on whether the CCJ is satisfied, how recently it was registered, its value, and your overall credit profile. High-street lenders almost always decline applicants with CCJs within the past three to six years. Specialist adverse credit lenders exist specifically for applicants with CCJs, defaults, and missed payments, and operate across a range of loan-to-value ratios. A specialist mortgage broker is the most effective starting point.
Does it matter whether my CCJ is satisfied or unsatisfied for a mortgage?
Yes, significantly. A satisfied CCJ — where the debt has been paid in full — is viewed much more favourably than an unsatisfied one. Most adverse credit lenders require satisfaction before they will consider an application, or require the CCJ to be settled before completion. An unsatisfied CCJ of significant value (typically above £500–£1,000) is a serious obstacle with almost all lenders. Settling the CCJ before applying is usually the first step advisers recommend.
How long does a CCJ affect my ability to get a mortgage?
A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years from the registration date, regardless of satisfaction status. High-street lenders will almost universally decline during this period. Specialist adverse credit lenders apply time-based criteria: a CCJ registered more than three years ago, particularly if satisfied, may be acceptable to a wider range of lenders. After six years the CCJ drops off entirely — though some lenders' application forms ask about historic CCJs beyond the six-year window.
What loan-to-value (LTV) can I expect with a CCJ?
As a general guide: recent (under two years) or unsatisfied CCJs typically limit applicants to 75–80% LTV with specialist lenders. Older (over three years) and satisfied CCJs may allow access to up to 85% LTV with some lenders. Products above 85% LTV are unlikely until the CCJ has dropped off the credit file or several years have passed. A larger deposit improves options at every stage of CCJ seasoning.
Which lenders offer mortgages to people with CCJs?
CCJ mortgages are primarily offered by specialist or adverse credit lenders, not high-street banks. These lenders use manual underwriting and assess the full picture — the value, age, and satisfaction status of the CCJ, income stability, deposit size, and overall credit conduct. Lenders frequently change their adverse credit policies. A broker specialising in adverse credit has up-to-date knowledge of which lenders are currently accepting CCJ applications and at what terms.
I have a CCJ and also have complex income — can I still get a mortgage?
Yes, but this combination requires a specialist lender capable of underwriting both adverse credit and non-standard income simultaneously. Not all adverse credit lenders have flexible income policies, and not all specialist income lenders accept adverse credit — the overlap is narrower. A broker with access to the full specialist mortgage market and experience in combined complex-income and adverse credit cases is essential here.
Will a CCJ from a joint account or a disputed debt affect my mortgage?
Yes. A CCJ registered against you — even from a shared account, a disputed debt, or an administrative error — appears on your credit file and is treated as a CCJ for mortgage purposes. If registered in error, it may be possible to have it set aside by the court. If it relates to a settled dispute, the circumstances and any supporting documentation can help a specialist lender understand the background.
Risk warning
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
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