Bad credit mortgages in Leeds
Worried about bad credit?
Let us help you.
If your credit history is not perfect, you may have been told, or simply assumed, that a mortgage is off the table. For a lot of people in Leeds, that is not true. A missed payment, a default or even a County Court Judgment (CCJ) does not automatically rule you out; it just means you need the right lender and the right approach.
If you want to know what a bad credit mortgage is, what counts as bad credit, how long it affects you, and the practical things that improve your chances, you’re in the right place. No jargon, no judgement, and no pressure, at Feel Good Financial we provide a clear, honest picture of where you stand. And if you would like someone to look at your situation properly, our mortgage advisers in Leeds are here to help.
What is a bad credit mortgage?
There is no special product actually called a bad credit mortgage. It is simply a normal mortgage arranged with a lender who is comfortable lending to people with an adverse credit history, sometimes called adverse credit or sub-prime lending. These lenders look more closely at what happened, when, and why, rather than turning you down automatically because of a mark on your credit file or a low credit score.
The trade-off is usually that you may need a larger deposit, and the interest rate may be higher than the very best high-street deals available, at least to begin with. Once your credit recovers, remortgaging to a better rate later is often possible. One of our advisers can help you weigh that up honestly.
Explore your options in an instant with our Mortgage Tools.
Curious about how much you can borrow? Want to calculate your stamp duty or estimate your monthly payments?
Our free mortgage tools offer everything you need to explore your options and take the first step towards finding the right mortgage.
Can you get a mortgage with bad credit?
In many cases, yes. High-street lenders tend to use automated credit scoring and can reject applications with any adverse history, but there is a whole tier of specialist lenders who assess applications individually. They will look at the size of the problem, how recent it is, whether it has been resolved and how your finances look now. The key is applying to the right lender first time, because too many rejected applications can themselves harm your credit file. This is exactly where good advice earns its keep.
What counts as bad credit?
“Bad credit” covers a range of things, and they are not all treated the same. The most common ones lenders see are:
- •Missed or late payments on credit cards, loans or bills.
- •Defaults, where an account was closed because payments stopped.
- •County Court Judgments (CCJs), a court order confirming money is owed (MoneyHelper).
- •Being in, or having had, a debt management plan or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).
- •Bankruptcy, now discharged.
Generally, the more recent and more serious the issue, the more it matters to a lender. A single late payment three years ago is a world away from an unsatisfied CCJ from last month, and lenders treat them very differently.
How long does bad credit affect a mortgage?
Most adverse markers, including defaults and CCJs, stay on your credit file for six years from the date they were registered, then drop off automatically whether or not you paid them (MoneyHelper). A CCJ paid in full within a month of the judgment can be removed sooner. The practical takeaway is that time is on your side: a problem from five years ago carries far less weight than a recent one, and its impact fades as it ages.
So, even if a mortgage is difficult right now, it may become much more achievable in a year or two, and there are things you can do in the meantime to help.
How to improve your chances .
A few sensible steps can make a real difference to what lenders will offer:
- •Check your credit file with the main credit reference agencies, so you know exactly what a lender will see, and correct any mistakes (MoneyHelper).
- •Make sure you are on the electoral roll at your current address.
- •Where you can, satisfy (pay off) any defaults or CCJs, and keep the proof.
- •Save the largest deposit you reasonably can, as this widens your options and can improve the rate.
- •Avoid taking on new credit or making lots of applications in the run-up to a mortgage.
- •Get advice before you apply, so your first application goes to a lender likely to say yes.
How our Leeds mortgage advisers can help
Feel Good Financial has been advising clients across Leeds and Yorkshire since 2012, and in 2025 we helped arrange over £251 million in mortgage lending, including for first-time buyers. We are used to cases that are not straightforward, and we take the time to understand what happened rather than judging you for it.
When you speak to one of our advisers, we look at your credit situation and your wider finances, then research which lenders are most likely to help someone in your position. We explain the trade-offs, such as deposit and rate, in plain English, and we manage the paperwork so your application is presented in the best possible light. If now is not the right time, we will tell you honestly and help you plan for when it is, including how to protect your mortgage once secured.
Worried your credit history is holding you back?
Book a free, no-obligation chat with one of our Leeds advisers. We will look at your situation honestly, explain your options with no judgement, and tell you the best next step, even if that is to wait.
Let’s get started.
Bad credit mortgage FAQs
-
Often yes, particularly if the CCJ is older, has been satisfied, or is small. Specialist lenders assess CCJs individually rather than rejecting automatically. How recent it is and whether it has been paid make the biggest difference, and an adviser can match you to a lender likely to consider it.
-
Yes, many lenders will consider applicants with defaults, especially where they are older, satisfied or for smaller amounts. As with CCJs, recency and size matter most. The right lender for you depends on the details, which is what we help you work out.
-
There is no single answer, but a larger deposit generally widens your choices and can improve the rate, because it lowers the lender’s risk. Some specialist lenders will consider smaller deposits depending on your circumstances.
-
Often the rate is higher than the best high-street deals to begin with, reflecting the added risk to the lender. The good news is that once your credit improves, remortgaging to a better rate later is frequently possible, and we can plan for that with you.
-
It depends on how recent and serious the issues are. Sometimes it is worth applying now with the right lender; sometimes a few months spent improving your file makes a real difference. We will give you an honest view rather than pushing you to apply before you are ready.
Latest Mortgage News
Important Information:
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Changes in interest rates may affect your monthly repayments. Ensure you understand the terms and risks before proceeding, There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend on your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is £695 for a purchase application and £300 for a remortgage.