CCJ Mortgages

Having a County Court Judgment (CCJ) on your credit file doesn't automatically rule you out of getting a mortgage. It does narrow your options, but with the right lender and the right preparation, a mortgage with a CCJ is very achievable. As a whole-of-market broker with access to over 12,000 deals from more than 100 lenders, we work with clients in this exact situation regularly — here's what actually matters to lenders, and what you can do to improve your chances.

What is a County Court Judgment (CCJ)?

A CCJ is a court order confirming that you owe money to a person or company, issued when you fail to keep up with agreed payments or ignore attempts to resolve a debt. Common causes include unpaid bills or invoices, missed utility payments, ignoring correspondence from creditors, or falling behind on credit card, loan, or mortgage repayments.

If you don't respond to a claim by the deadline, the court can issue a CCJ without a hearing — known as a default judgment. Once issued, you'll receive a notice setting out how much you owe and when it needs to be paid. A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years from the date it was issued, regardless of whether you pay it off during that period, and it can make borrowing — including getting a mortgage — noticeably harder while it remains on file.

Can you get a mortgage with a CCJ?

Yes. Lenders assess CCJ applications on a case-by-case basis, weighing up several factors together rather than applying a single blanket rule:

How long ago the CCJ was issued. Most specialist lenders want to see at least 12 to 24 months since the CCJ was registered, and the older it is, the more lenders will consider your application.

Whether it's been satisfied (paid) or remains unpaid. A satisfied CCJ is viewed far more favourably, and some lenders will only consider satisfied cases.

How many CCJs you have. A single, small, satisfied CCJ from several years ago is treated very differently to multiple recent judgments.

The amount owed. Most lenders draw a line somewhere between £250 and £500 — CCJs below this threshold are often disregarded entirely, while larger amounts receive closer scrutiny.

As a general guide, mainstream lenders tend to want CCJs satisfied and at least two years old, while specialist adverse credit lenders will consider more recent or unsatisfied CCJs, particularly with a larger deposit. Rates and deposit requirements vary considerably between the two, which is where working with a broker who knows the current lending panel makes the real difference.

What deposit will you need with a CCJ?

Deposit requirements depend heavily on the severity and recency of the CCJ. As a rough guide: a single satisfied CCJ that's several years old may still qualify for mainstream rates with a standard 10% deposit through certain lenders. A more recent or unsatisfied CCJ typically pushes you into specialist lending territory, where deposits of 15% to 25% are common, and multiple CCJs or larger judgment amounts can push this higher still. A larger deposit reduces the lender's risk and often opens up a wider panel of options, so if you're able to save more before applying, it's usually worth doing. You can get a feel for your borrowing potential using our mortgage calculator, though your actual options will depend on the specifics of your CCJ.

Will a CCJ mean a higher interest rate?

Often, yes. Specialist adverse credit lenders price in the additional risk, so rates for a CCJ-related mortgage are typically higher than a mainstream deal — though the gap narrows considerably as the CCJ becomes older, smaller, or satisfied. This is another reason why timing matters: waiting until a CCJ is satisfied, or until more time has passed since it was issued, can genuinely improve the rate you're offered, not just whether you're accepted at all.

Can you get a CCJ removed from your credit file?

CCJs usually remain on file for six years, but there are a few circumstances where this can change sooner. If the CCJ was issued in error, you can challenge it with the court or the relevant credit reference agency. If you pay the full amount within 30 days of the judgment, you can apply to have it removed from your record entirely, rather than simply marked as satisfied. If it's already over six years old it should be removed automatically, and if you successfully dispute the CCJ in court it will also come off your record.

How do you know if you have a CCJ?

You might have a CCJ without realising it, particularly if correspondence about the original claim went to an old address. The most reliable way to check is by reviewing your credit report with one of the main credit reference agencies — Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. You can also search the official Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines directly for a small fee, which covers CCJs across England and Wales.

How to improve your chances of getting a mortgage with a CCJ

There are several practical steps that make a real difference to how lenders view your application:

Settle the CCJ if you can. A satisfied CCJ opens up more lenders and better rates than an unsatisfied one.

Save a larger deposit. This reduces the lender's risk and can offset the impact of a more recent or unsatisfied CCJ.

Work with a specialist broker. Not every lender publishes their CCJ criteria, and manually checking each one is time-consuming. A broker with access to the specialist lending panel can identify the right fit far faster than applying directly.

Keep everything else on your file clean. Consistent on-time payments, low credit utilisation, and being registered on the electoral roll all help build a stronger overall picture for underwriters.

Maintain stable employment and income. Lenders weigh affordability alongside credit history, so a steady income record supports the rest of your application.

Other mortgage routes to consider

Depending on your circumstances, a couple of alternative routes may also be worth exploring alongside a standard application. A joint mortgage, applying with a partner or family member, can improve affordability and lender choice, though the CCJ will still be taken into account. Shared ownership is another option worth considering, allowing you to buy a portion of a property and pay rent on the remainder, which can reduce the deposit and borrowing needed upfront. If your credit history includes other issues alongside a CCJ, it's also worth reading our page on adverse credit mortgages for a broader picture of your options, or our guidance on what to do after a declined mortgage application if you've already been turned down elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get a mortgage with an unsatisfied CCJ?

It's more challenging, but not impossible. Many mainstream lenders will require the CCJ to be settled first, or for it to be at least two years old. Specialist lenders may still consider unsatisfied CCJs, typically with a larger deposit and at a higher rate.

Can you remortgage with a CCJ?

Yes, though as with a new purchase, your options will depend on the age, amount, and status of the CCJ. If you're approaching the end of a fixed rate and have a CCJ on file, it's worth speaking to a broker well before your current deal ends, as some lenders are more accommodating than others at remortgage stage. See our remortgage page for more on the process generally.

Does a CCJ affect home insurance as well as mortgages?

Some insurers do ask about CCJs and other credit history as part of underwriting, though this varies by provider and isn't something we arrange directly. It's worth disclosing accurately to any insurer you approach, as failing to do so can affect a future claim.

How much can you borrow with a CCJ?

This depends on your income, deposit, and the specifics of your CCJ, in the same way it would for any mortgage application. A specialist lender may apply a slightly more conservative affordability calculation than a mainstream one, which is another reason getting tailored advice matters more than relying on generic online calculators alone.

Speak to a specialist broker

A CCJ narrows your options, but it doesn't close the door on getting a mortgage. What matters is matching your specific circumstances — the age, amount, and status of the CCJ, alongside your deposit and income — to lenders who are set up to consider exactly that. As a whole-of-market broker, we do this every day.

Get CCJ mortgage advice today.