Remortgaging With a Low Credit Score

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Can I still remortgage if I have a low credit score?

It is often thought that people with an adverse credit history are not able to remortgage. But this is far from the truth, as applying to the right lender can make all the difference. 

A low credit score won’t always prevent you from getting a new mortgage. Of course, there will be some additional challenges to overcome, but we work with several specialist lenders that offer flexible deals.

We explain how your credit score can impact your mortgage application and what you can do to improve your chances of being accepted.

Every application is judged on its own merits, and although your choices will be more limited, we work with lenders that may be able to help.

When you apply to a specialist lender, your credit score is not the only factor they will ignore. If your credit report shows any of the following, some lenders will also disregard them from a criteria perspective 

  • Defaults or CCJs that are over 12 months old.
  • Missed mortgage payments where partial payments were made or if full the payment was made within 30 days of the due date.
  • CCJs from mobile phone companies.
  • Defaults or CCJs below a specific value (this will vary depending on the lender)
  •  

The most important thing is to be as transparent as possible with your application and to provide reasonable explanations about your financial history, should the lender need to clarify any details.

At Willows, before we attempt to match you with a lender, we will review all the information provided to us to ensure you have the best chance of being approved

How does your credit score affect a mortgage application?

Whilst there are several factors that determine the outcome of a mortgage application, one of the most important is your credit score. 

If there are any defaults, County Court Judgments (CCJs), or late/missed payments recorded on your credit file, this can have a negative impact on your overall score.

Once you apply, lenders will review your credit report to get a better idea of how reliable you are at repaying your debts.  

Your credit score can also impact the mortgage interest rates that are offered to you by lenders. People with more favourable credit scores tend to get the best rates, although there are other factors that will influence the deals made available to you.

Once you apply, lenders will review your credit report to get a better idea of how reliable you are at repaying your debts.  

Your credit score can also impact the mortgage interest rates that are offered to you by lenders. People with more favourable credit scores tend to get the best rates, although there are other factors that will influence the deals made available to you.

What can negatively affect your credit score?

Your credit score is shaped by many different factors, so even if you do not have a poor credit history there is a chance it may be lower than you expect.

 

  1.   Errors on your credit report: You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. It’s a process worth undertaking before you apply for a new mortgage to see if there are any mistakes that have appeared and need to be rectified. For example, there are instances where old credit agreements remain active on your report, even though all the payments have been made.
  2.   Limited credit history: When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will want to get a better idea of your credit history. However, it can be harder for lenders to assess your risk if you have a short or minimal credit history. This is usually truer of younger applicants who usually have a smaller credit footprint.
  3.   Not being registered to vote: Ensure that you are registered to vote before you apply for a mortgage (whether for the first time or to remortgage) as not being registered can have a negative impact on your credit score.
  4.   Gaps in your address history: Having an incomplete or inconsistent address history can also sometimes have an impact on your credit rating. This is something you can rectify when you obtain a copy of your credit report, as you can use bank statements, utility bills and other proof of residence to verify your address.
  5.   Borrowing more than you can afford: It is important to create a budget before you apply for a mortgage to ensure that you can afford the repayments. If you are unable to repay the debt, this could lead to a Debt Relief Order (DRO) or Individual Voluntary Arrangement. Depending on your case, lenders may get a CCJ issued against you or even apply for bankruptcy. In the worst case scenario, it could also mean the lender repossesses your property and sells it to reclaim lost funds.

 

Try to avoid making too many applications for credit in a short space of time, as it could give the impression that you are in desperate need of money. From a lender’s perspective, this can be a red flag and cause them to look at your application in an unfavourable light.

If you are concerned about your credit score or credit history and need some advice before you apply, the Willows team is always available to answer any questions you may have.

What can help my credit score?

There are some things you can do to improve your credit score if you are worried that it is currently too low.

  • Register to vote: This will allow lenders to check and verify your identity much faster, so they won’t have any concerns that the application is genuine.
  • Pay your bills on time: Whether it’s your current mortgage, council tax, utility bills or any other form of credit you use, paying your bills on time will help demonstrate that you are a responsible borrower.
  • Keep on top of your credit score: There are no limits on how many times you can request your credit report and by keeping up to date with the details it helps avoid any inaccurate information from affecting your chances of obtaining credit.
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Boost your chances of getting a low credit remortgage

We have years of experience helping customers with low credit scores to remortgage. Our team of expert brokers will offer advice based on your individual circumstances, using their experience to match you with a specialist lender.

To find out more about how we can help, you can speak with a member of our team today by calling 01656 766 158.

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Privacy & Cookie Policy

At Willows Finance we ensure your personal information is kept secure and confidential.


PRIVACY OF YOUR INFORMATION


At Willows Finance Ltd, we appreciate that your privacy is extremely important to you. With this in mind, we have put in place a number of measures to ensure that any personal details we obtain from you as a result of visiting this website is processed and maintained in accordance with accepted principles of good information handling and also in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988.

 

This statement provides you with details of the type of information we may hold about you, how we obtain and use information and how we protect your privacy.

Clients Agreement

Information About the Services We Provide

Client Agreement and Initial Disclosure Document

Willows Finance Limited
Brocastle, Bridgend, CF35 5AS

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Firm Reference Number: 670052
Company Number: 6678545 (Registered in England and Wales)

This document outlines the services we provide. If you need clarification, please contact us at 01656 766158.

 

Which Products Do We Offer

We offer first and second charge regulated mortgage contracts for business or personal use.

Other finance options may include:

  • Remortgage
  • Further advance with your first charge lender
  • Unsecured loan

Regulatory Status:

  • Residential mortgages are regulated by the FCA
  • Buy-to-let and business use mortgages are not usually regulated
  • Some buy-to-let mortgages may qualify as “consumer buy-to-let”

 

Whose Products Will Be Offered

  • We use a representative panel of lenders for second charge mortgages.
  • We use a limited number of lenders for first charge mortgages (list available on request).

 

Which Service Will Be Provided

We offer an advised mortgage broking service and provide enough information for you to make an informed decision.

We are not independent financial advisers. Free debt advice is available from the Money Advice Service.

 

Privacy Policy

You can view our privacy policy at: https://willowsfinance.co.uk/privacy-cookie-policy/.

Lenders may also have their own privacy policies which will be provided to you.

 

The Cost of Our Services

We charge a broker fee upon loan completion. The average fee is approximately 5%, depending on your situation.

 

Fee details:

  • Maximum fee: 12.5%
  • Typical range: £0 to £3,500
  • Example: £100,000 first charge = £2,500 (2.5%)
  • Example: £100,000 second charge = £3,500 (3.5%)

No refund is offered after completion. You may pay upfront or add the fee to your mortgage. Fees and commission will be detailed in your ESIS and Mortgage Agreement.

 

The Mortgage Offer

You will receive a Mortgage Agreement and an ESIS document detailing:

  • Interest rate
  • Repayment schedule
  • Total amount payable
  • Lender details

 

Cancellation Rights

You may cancel your application anytime before completion without any charge. Mortgages cannot be cancelled after completion.

 

Arrears / Missing Payments

Missing payments can lead to charges, repossession, and negative impacts on your credit rating.

 

Risk Warnings

Consolidating debt may result in higher long-term interest. Securing debt against your home increases risk.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loan secured on it.

 

Complaints

If you wish to complain, contact us at:

Willows Finance Limited
Brocastle, Bridgend, CF35 5AS
Tel: 01656 766158

You may be able to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

 

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

We are covered by the FSCS. You may be eligible for compensation of up to £85,000 per person per firm for mortgage advice and arranging.

More info: www.fscs.org.uk

 

Next Steps

After processing your application, you’ll receive a Mortgage Agreement and have a 7-day reflection period.

Contact us during this period with any questions. To proceed, sign and return the agreement.

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