Yes, you can get a mortgage with a CCJ. It is not straightforward, and your options narrow considerably depending on how recent the CCJ is, how large it is, and whether it has been paid. But a County Court Judgment does not automatically close the door to homeownership or a remortgage.
The key is knowing what lenders are actually looking at. Most borrowers with a CCJ assume their only option is to wait six years for it to drop off their file. That is rarely necessary. Specialist lenders assess the full picture, and a broker who works in this space daily can identify which lenders will and will not consider your profile before a single application is submitted.
This guide explains how CCJ mortgages work, what lenders look for, and what you can realistically expect in terms of deposit size and rate.
What Is a CCJ and How Does It Affect Your Credit File?
A County Court Judgment is a court order issued when someone fails to repay a debt. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, CCJs are registered with the Registry Trust and appear on your credit file with all three credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
A CCJ remains on your credit file for six years from the date it was issued. After six years it drops off automatically, regardless of whether it has been paid. Scotland operates under a different legal framework; the equivalent is a decree rather than a CCJ.
Can a CCJ Be Removed Before Six Years Are Up?
In one specific situation: yes.
The 30-Day Cancellation Window
If you pay the full amount owed within 30 days of the CCJ being issued, you can apply to the court for a Certificate of Cancellation using form N443. The current court fee is £19. If approved, the CCJ is removed from the Registry Trust and from your credit file entirely.
This is the only route to complete removal. Once the 30-day window passes, the option to cancel is gone.
After 30 days, paying the debt marks the CCJ as “satisfied” on your file. It remains visible for the full six years, but satisfied status is treated significantly more favourably by lenders than an unsatisfied CCJ.
What Lenders Actually Look At
Age of the CCJ
The most important factor for most lenders is how long ago the CCJ was registered. Under 12 months is the most restrictive tier. From one to three years, options improve. Over three years, a broader range of specialist lenders become available, particularly if the CCJ has also been satisfied.
Satisfied or Unsatisfied
An unsatisfied CCJ is viewed far more seriously than a satisfied one. Most specialist lenders require a CCJ to be satisfied before they will consider an application. A small number will consider unsatisfied CCJs with a large enough deposit, but lender options at this end are limited.
Value of the CCJ
CCJs under £500 are typically treated most leniently. Values from £500 to £2,500 attract additional scrutiny. CCJs over £2,500, particularly if recent or unsatisfied, restrict available lenders significantly.
Whether You Have Other Adverse Credit
An isolated CCJ is a very different case from a CCJ combined with defaults, missed payments, or other adverse credit events. If your credit file shows multiple issues, a specialist broker needs to assess the full picture before identifying which lenders will realistically consider the case.
How Much Deposit Will You Need?
Deposit requirements vary depending on the CCJ profile:
- Satisfied CCJ, over 3 years old: 10% to 15% with select specialist lenders
- Satisfied CCJ, 1 to 3 years old: 15% to 20%
- Recent or unsatisfied CCJ: 25% or more
- Multiple CCJs or CCJ alongside other adverse credit: 25% to 30% minimum
These are indicative ranges, not guaranteed figures. The actual deposit required depends on the specific lender, your income, the property value, and the rest of your credit profile.
What Mortgage Rates Should You Expect?
With the Bank of England base rate currently at 3.75%, mainstream lenders are offering residential rates broadly in the 4% to 5% range. Specialist lenders for adverse credit borrowers charge a premium, typically adding 1% to 4% depending on the profile.
For a satisfied CCJ over two years old with a 15% to 20% deposit, indicative rates from specialist lenders currently sit in the 6% to 8% range. Recent or unsatisfied CCJs with higher deposits can push rates to 7.5% or above.
These rates are not permanent. Once your CCJ ages further and your credit profile improves, remortgaging to a better rate becomes an option. Read our guide to product transfer vs remortgage to understand your options when you reach that point.
Can You Remortgage With a CCJ?
Yes, but the circumstances matter. If you already own a property and a CCJ was registered after your current mortgage was taken, your existing lender may allow a product transfer: switching to a new rate without a full new affordability assessment. This avoids a full remortgage application and the adverse credit assessment that comes with it.
If you want to remortgage to a new lender, the application will be assessed under adverse credit criteria. The age, status, and value of the CCJ will determine which lenders are accessible and on what terms. Visit our remortgage page to learn more about your options.
Which Lenders Accept CCJ Applications?
The lenders who actively work in this space are specialist rather than high street. They include Pepper Money, Bluestone Mortgages, Precise Mortgages, Kensington Mortgages, Together Money, and Vida Homeloans. Each has its own criteria for CCJ age, value, and status. Most are not available direct to the public; applications are placed through whole-of-market brokers.
High street lenders, including the main banks and building societies, will decline most applications where a CCJ appears on the credit file, particularly if it is unsatisfied or within the last three years. A bad credit mortgage specialist can match you to the right lender without leaving unnecessary hard searches on your file.
What to Do Next
If you have a CCJ and want to understand your mortgage options, start by getting a copy of your credit report from all three agencies and checking the details: the date, value, and satisfaction status of any CCJs registered. You can check at Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion directly, or use a free service such as Credit Karma or ClearScore.
Then speak to a whole-of-market broker before applying anywhere. Every mortgage application leaves a hard search on your credit file. A broker can assess your eligibility against specialist lenders without submitting a formal application, protecting your file while you work out your options.
If you have already started improving your credit score alongside dealing with a CCJ, read our guide on how to improve your credit score for a mortgage for the steps that make the biggest difference.
Book a no-obligation consultation with Knox Mortgages: speak to a specialist here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ in the UK?
Yes. The options available depend on the age, value, and status of the CCJ. Specialist lenders assess adverse credit cases individually rather than using automated scoring. A whole-of-market broker can identify which lenders will consider your specific profile without you having to apply and risk further hard searches.
How long after a CCJ can I get a mortgage?
There is no fixed waiting period. Some specialist lenders will consider a mortgage application from day one, provided the deposit is sufficient. Options improve significantly as the CCJ ages, particularly once it passes the three-year mark and has been satisfied.
Does a satisfied CCJ help with a mortgage?
Yes. A satisfied CCJ is viewed more favourably than an unsatisfied one. It demonstrates the debt was resolved and can open up a wider range of lenders and lower deposit requirements compared to an outstanding CCJ of the same age and value.
How much deposit do I need for a mortgage with a CCJ?
It depends on the profile. A satisfied CCJ over three years old may require as little as 10% to 15% with select specialist lenders. A recent or unsatisfied CCJ is likely to require 25% or more. Multiple CCJs or CCJ alongside other adverse credit events typically require 25% to 30% minimum.
Can a CCJ be removed from my credit file?
Only if you pay the full amount within 30 days of the CCJ being issued and successfully apply for a Certificate of Cancellation (form N443, court fee £19). After that window, paying the debt marks it as satisfied but does not remove it. CCJs drop off automatically after six years.
Will a CCJ stop me buying a house?
Not necessarily. A CCJ limits which lenders will consider your application and increases the deposit required and the rate you will pay. Buying with a CCJ is achievable through specialist lenders, particularly when the CCJ is older, satisfied, and the deposit is meaningful.
Can I get a mortgage with multiple CCJs?
Yes, but options narrow significantly. Most lenders prefer to see no more than two CCJs within the last two years for lower-deposit products. Multiple CCJs typically require a deposit of 25% to 30% and restrict the pool of available lenders to the most specialist end of the market. A broker who works in adverse credit will know which lenders are currently willing to consider your specific profile.
Your home may be repossessed if you don’t keep up repayments on your mortgage.
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