Can You Still Get a Mortgage If You’ve Had Credit Problems in the Past?

I speak to people every week across South Wales and Dorset who start the conversation in almost exactly the same way:

“I don’t think I’ll get approved… my credit isn’t great.”

And I can hear it straight away — that mix of uncertainty and, if I’m honest, a bit of embarrassment too.

The thing is, what many people believe about mortgages and credit history simply isn’t accurate anymore.

Over the years, lending has evolved. It’s not quite as black and white as people think. Yes, your credit history matters — but it’s only one part of the picture.

What really matters is the story behind it.

The Biggest Misunderstanding I See

A lot of people assume you need a “perfect” credit score to get a mortgage.

You don’t.

I’ve helped clients who’ve had:
– Missed payments
– Defaults
– County Court Judgments (CCJs)
– Even historic debt issues from years ago

And they’re now sitting in homes they didn’t think were possible.

The key difference? Time, context, and what’s happened since.

Lenders Don’t Just Look at the Problem — They Look at the Pattern

When a lender reviews an application, they’re not just ticking boxes. They’re trying to understand risk.

So they’ll look at things like:
– How long ago the issue happened
– Whether it was a one-off or part of a pattern
– How you’ve managed things since
– Your current stability — income, job, outgoings

For example, a missed payment from four or five years ago, followed by clean conduct since, is viewed very differently from something that happened last month.

This Is Where a Whole of Market Broker Makes a Difference

If you walk straight into your bank, you’re getting one view.

One set of criteria.

One answer.

When I sit down with someone — whether they’re in Cardiff, the Valleys, or across in places like Bournemouth, Poole or Dorchester — I’m looking across the whole market.

That means:
– Different lenders
– Different risk appetites
– Different ways of assessing the same situation

What one lender declines, another may look at more sensibly.

A Quiet Truth Most People Don’t Hear

Some of the people who assume they’ve got no chance are actually closer than they think.

They’ve done the hard part already:
– They’ve moved past the issue
– They’ve stabilised things
– They’re earning steadily
– They just haven’t had someone properly assess their situation

But Let’s Be Real

Not every situation is fixable overnight.

If the issue is very recent, or there are ongoing financial pressures, the best advice might be to wait and put a plan in place.

Why It’s Worth Having the Conversation Early

Even if you’re unsure, there’s real value in getting a clear picture.

You start to see:
– What’s possible
– What isn’t (yet)
– What the path forward actually looks like

Final Thought

If you’ve had credit problems in the past, it doesn’t automatically mean the door is closed.

In many cases, it’s not closed at all — it just needs the right approach.

If you’d like me to take a look and give you a straight, honest view of where you stand, you’re very welcome to get in touch.

Ian Rogers 
C A Mortgage Services Ltd 
Whole of Market Mortgage Advice 
South Wales & Dorset

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Ian Rogers: 07780925185