Adverse Credit

A county court judgement (CCJ) is a court order issued in England and Wales when you fail to repay a debt. If a creditor takes you to court and the court rules against you, a CCJ is recorded on your credit file with the Registry Trust. This record stays visible to lenders for six years from the date it was registered.

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders check your credit file and a CCJ signals a history of unpaid debt. This makes many high street lenders cautious, as they view you as a higher-risk borrower. However, a CCJ does not automatically disqualify you from getting a mortgage.

The impact on your application depends on several factors:

• The amount of the CCJ: smaller CCJs under £500 are viewed more leniently than larger ones
• When it was registered: older CCJs carry less weight than recent ones
• Whether it has been satisfied: paying the debt in full and obtaining a certificate of satisfaction significantly improves your prospects
• How many CCJs appear on your file: multiple judgements reduce your options further

A single, small CCJ from several years ago that has been satisfied will affect your application far less than multiple recent, unsatisfied judgements. If you have a CCJ and want to understand your mortgage options, read the full guide to adverse credit mortgages for a broader overview of how credit issues affect your choices.

Yes, you can get a mortgage with a CCJ. While many mainstream lenders will decline your application, a growing number of specialist lenders cater specifically to borrowers with adverse credit histories, including CCJs.

Your eligibility depends on several key criteria that specialist lenders assess:

• CCJ value: some lenders set a maximum of £500, while others will consider CCJs up to £5,000 or even £10,000
• Time since registration: lenders typically prefer CCJs that are at least 12 to 24 months old, though a small number accept CCJs registered just one month ago
• Satisfied vs unsatisfied: a satisfied CCJ, where you have paid off the original debt, opens up significantly more lender options
• Number of CCJs: multiple CCJs reduce your options but do not eliminate them entirely

If you have a bad credit history beyond just a CCJ, such as defaults or missed payments, specialist lenders can often still help. The key is working with an advisor who understands which lenders match your specific circumstances and can avoid unnecessary applications that leave hard searches on your credit file.

A CCJ remains on your credit file for six years from the date it was registered, regardless of whether you pay it off during that period. This is the standard retention period set by the Registry Trust. After six years, the CCJ is automatically removed and no longer appears on credit checks.

If you pay after one month but before the six years are up, you can apply for the CCJ to be marked as "satisfied." A satisfied CCJ still appears on your file but shows lenders that you have cleared the debt, which meaningfully improves your mortgage prospects.

The age of your CCJ directly affects your mortgage options:

• 0 to 12 months: very few lenders will consider you, and you should expect to need a deposit of 25% or more
• 12 to 36 months: more options become available, typically with deposits of 15% to 20%
• 36 months to 6 years: the widest range of specialist lenders, with deposits from 10% to 15%
• After 6 years: the CCJ is removed and should no longer affect your application

You can check your credit file for free through Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. If you want to improve your credit score for a mortgage, start by understanding exactly what appears on your report and confirming the CCJ details are accurate.

The deposit required for a CCJ mortgage is typically higher than for a standard mortgage. Most specialist lenders ask for a minimum of 15% to 25% of the property value, compared with the 5% to 10% that mainstream lenders offer to borrowers with clean credit histories.

The exact deposit depends on the severity of your CCJ and any other credit issues on your file. As a general guide:

• CCJ under £500, satisfied, over 2 years ago: 10% to 15% deposit
• CCJ under £1,000, satisfied, over 12 months ago: 15% to 20% deposit
• CCJ over £1,000 or unsatisfied: 20% to 25% deposit
• Multiple CCJs or very recent CCJs: 25% or more

A larger deposit reduces the lender's risk, which is why it can offset the concern caused by a CCJ. If you can offer 25% or more, you may find that some lenders offer rates closer to their standard mortgage products.

Interest rates on CCJ mortgages tend to be 1% to 3% above the rates available to borrowers with clean credit. However, many borrowers choose to remortgage to a better deal once their CCJ drops off their credit file after six years. If you have defaults alongside a CCJ, your deposit requirements may be higher, and a specialist advisor can help you understand exactly what you need based on your full credit history.

There are several practical steps you can take to strengthen your CCJ mortgage application and access better rates.

Satisfy your CCJ as soon as possible. Paying off the debt and getting a certificate of satisfaction from the court shows lenders you have addressed the issue. This single step can significantly widen your options and reduce deposit requirements.

Build your credit profile. Register on the electoral roll, keep up with all current credit commitments, and avoid making multiple credit applications in a short period. Each of these actions demonstrates financial stability to lenders. Our guide on improving your credit score for a mortgage covers this in detail.

Save a larger deposit. The bigger your deposit, the more lenders will consider your application. Even an extra 5% can open up new options and lower your interest rate over the term of the mortgage.

Get your paperwork in order. Lenders will want to see proof of income, bank statements, and details of the CCJ including the original debt. Having these documents ready speeds up the process and shows the lender you are organised.

Work with a specialist advisor. An advisor who specialises in adverse credit mortgages will know which lenders are most likely to approve your application. They can present your circumstances in the most favourable light, explaining the context behind your CCJ to the lender. If your CCJ is close to the six-year mark, they can also advise whether waiting or applying now makes more financial sense. For borrowers exploring all their options, subprime mortgages may also be worth considering.