Missed a couple of payments a few years back? Had a default, or maybe a CCJ that’s still showing? You’re not automatically shut out of remortgaging. Plenty of people who want to remortgage with bad credit in the UK still find a deal — it just takes a bit more preparation and, often, a specialist lender rather than the big high-street names.

Here’s what actually matters when your credit history isn’t spotless, and what you can do about it.

What lenders really look at

A remortgage is a new mortgage, so the lender assesses you fresh. They’re not just looking at a single credit score. They dig into the detail — when the problem happened, how big it was, and whether you’ve kept things clean since.

• Recent vs old issues. A default from six years ago carries far less weight than one from last month. Most adverse marks drop off your file after six years.
• Type of adverse credit. A missed phone bill is treated very differently from a mortgage arrears or a recent bankruptcy.
• Loan-to-value (LTV). If you’ve got decent equity — say you owe £150,000 on a home worth £250,000, that’s 60% LTV — lenders relax a little. More equity means less risk for them.
• Affordability. They’ll want proof your income comfortably covers the new payments, factoring in future rate rises.

The severity and freshness of the problem tend to matter more than the fact it happened at all.

Your options when you want to remortgage with bad credit

Some high-street lenders will consider minor, older blips. But if you’ve had a CCJ, default or arrears in the last couple of years, you’ll probably do better looking at specialist or “adverse credit” lenders. These firms price for the extra risk — so expect a higher interest rate than someone with a clean file would get.

A whole-of-market mortgage broker can be genuinely useful here. They know which lenders quietly accept certain marks, and they’ll save you from applying to the wrong ones — because every hard credit check leaves a footprint.

A few realistic scenarios

• One old default, now settled. Often manageable, sometimes even on the high street, especially with good equity.
• A CCJ within the last 12 months. Likely specialist lender territory, with a bigger deposit or lower LTV needed.
• Recently discharged from bankruptcy. Tricky, but not impossible — some lenders consider you a few years after discharge.

Steps that improve your chances

Before you apply, spend a little time getting your ducks in a row. It genuinely moves the needle.

• Check your credit files with all three main agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). Errors are common — dispute anything wrong.
• Make sure you’re on the electoral roll at your current address.
• Pay down credit cards where you can; high balances hurt.
• Keep every payment on time for as long as possible before applying. Six clean months looks a lot better than three.
• Gather your paperwork early — payslips, bank statements, proof of the equity in your home.

You can read the official guidance on credit reports and how to correct mistakes on the gov.uk credit report pages.

Watch the costs, not just the rate

Adverse credit deals usually carry a higher rate, and sometimes chunkier arrangement fees. Do the full sum before committing. A headline rate that looks reasonable can turn expensive once you add a £1,999 product fee. And if you’re on a fixed deal with your current lender, check for early repayment charges before you switch — those can wipe out any saving.

It’s also worth remembering that things change. If your credit recovers over the next couple of years, you may be able to remortgage again onto a mainstream deal. So a specialist product now doesn’t have to be forever.

For more practical reading on money and legal matters, have a look through our blog, where we cover related topics in plain English.

Where legal help fits in

Remortgaging involves conveyancing work, and if there’s a change of ownership, a transfer of equity, or a dispute affecting the property, having the right legal support keeps things clean. This article is general information, not advice for your particular situation — every case is different, and the numbers and criteria shift with the market.

If you’d like a hand understanding the legal side of a remortgage, or you’re dealing with something more complicated, get in touch with the team at SS Global Legal Services. We’re happy to talk it through and point you in the right direction.