Mortgage with a CCJ: how soon can you get one?

By Liam Buckler ·

Six of the UK’s 10 largest mortgage lenders will consider an applicant with a paid County Court Judgment (CCJ) just one year after it was registered, and five years before it drops off the borrower's credit file.

New Newspage research, sponsored by The Mortgage Geezer, found that the length of time a CCJ remains visible on a credit file can be considerably longer than the period some lenders require before considering an application.

A CCJ normally remains on a credit file for six years, but that does not create an automatic six-year mortgage ban. 

Whether somebody qualifies will depend on factors including the judgment’s age and value, whether it has been paid, the circumstances behind it and the applicant’s subsequent credit conduct.

The research, conducted in October 2026, examined the published broker criteria of the UK’s 10 largest mortgage lenders: Accord, Barclays, Coventry, Halifax, HSBC, Nationwide, NatWest, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money.

How many big lenders accept a CCJ?

The research found that six of the 10 lenders would consider an applicant with a paid CCJ one year after it was registered.

Some lenders restrict the number or total value of CCJs they will accept. 

Others rely on internal credit scoring, meaning an applicant can meet the published criteria but still be rejected following an assessment of their complete credit history.

Darryl Dhoffer, Founder at Bedford-based The Mortgage Geezer, said mutual building societies and specialist lenders sweep up many of these cases.

The initial Agreement In Principle (AIP) with high street lenders is automated, he said, and it could easily decline before you get anywhere.

He commented: "While high street lenders like TSB, Virgin, and HSBC may consider small paid CCJs (often under £500), automated scoring can easily trigger rejections, even with these amounts.

“Fortunately, many mutual building societies and non-high street lenders manually assess credit rather than rely on rigid scores. Depending on your CCJ amount, registration date, and whether it’s satisfied, a specialist broker can match you with a flexible lender."

What do mortgage lenders consider when you have a CCJ?

The amount owed, the date of registration and whether the judgment has been satisfied are among the main considerations. 

A single, small CCJ that was paid promptly may be viewed differently from several recent or outstanding judgments.

Lenders may also examine the reason for the debt and the applicant’s financial conduct since it was registered. 

A one-off problem caused by an identifiable life event can present a different risk from a continuing pattern of missed payments or unmanaged borrowing.

Ranald Mitchell, Director at Norwich-based Charwin Mortgages, said lenders should consider the circumstances behind the CCJ.

He commented: "A CCJ is not a six-year mortgage ban. The real question is what happened, why it happened and why we can reasonably expect it not to happen again. A one-off parking fine or an isolated credit problem following a life event is very different from persistent unmanaged debt.

“That context matters, and with the right lender we can often obtain an exception where the published criteria alone might suggest a decline. 

"The strongest cases are those where the issue has been resolved, recent conduct is clean and there is a credible explanation showing the problem was temporary rather than ongoing. With CCJs, good underwriting is about the story behind the credit file, not just the marker itself."

Which mortgage lenders accept a paid CCJ?

The research found that TSB, Barclays, HSBC, Virgin Money, Coventry Building Society and Accord publish criteria under which a paid CCJ may be considered after one year.

Acceptance is not guaranteed. Some criteria apply only when the CCJ is below a specified value, while the applicant must still pass the lender’s affordability checks, credit scoring and other eligibility requirements.

Jamie Alexander, Mortgage Director at Romsey-based Alexander Southwell Mortgages, thinks borrowers should distinguish between how long a CCJ remains on their credit file and how long they must wait before a lender will consider an application.

He commented: “Yes, you can get a mortgage with a CCJ and most people do not realise that. The six-year rule refers to how long it stays on your credit file, not how long you have to wait before a lender will consider you. 

"Several high street lenders will look at applications with a paid CCJ after just one year. TSB, Barclays, HSBC, Virgin Money, Coventry and Accord all have criteria that can accommodate them, usually where the value is under £500 and it has been satisfied.

“The key variables are the amount, whether it has been paid, how old it is and how many there are. A single small settled CCJ is a very different proposition to multiple larger ones left unpaid. 

"My advice is simple. Do not assume the door is closed and do not start firing off applications without knowing where you stand. Get proper advice first. The right broker will know exactly where to place it."

What should you do before applying for a mortgage with a CCJ?

Applicants should check all three main credit-reference agencies because the information held about them can differ. 

They should ensure the CCJ’s value, date and status are recorded correctly and obtain evidence that it has been paid where applicable.

Making several speculative mortgage applications can result in multiple hard searches appearing on a credit file. 

Checking the relevant lender’s criteria before applying can reduce the risk of approaching a provider whose policy does not fit the circumstances.

Richard Davidson, Mortgage Advisor at onlinemortgageadvisor.co.uk, said applicants may have more options than they expect.

He commented: "You can absolutely get a mortgage with a CCJ, and we’re increasingly seeing clients with them, especially smaller ones for things like parking fines, which can be really frustrating. 

"Most people assume they’ll be shut out of mainstream lending for six years, but in fact a single CCJ that’s more than a year old and settled will often fit with a high street lender, and we work with many specialist lenders who can do even more. Many clients probably think they may be shut out or even 'blacklisted' from mortgages but in reality it's more flexible, and there are options even with a few CCJs on your file.

“The main thing is to get advice and see what your options are, because different lenders have very different policies. Often, if your overall credit score is good, you can still fit with a high street lender."

Your questions answered

Darryl Dhoffer, Founder at The Mortgage Geezer, answers five common questions about applying for a mortgage with a CCJ.

Can you get a mortgage with a CCJ?

Yes, getting a mortgage with a County Court Judgment (CCJ) is entirely possible. Numerous specialist lenders and mutual building societies look past adverse credit histories, depending on the age, size, and status of the judgment.

How long after a CCJ can I get a mortgage?

You do not have to wait the full six years for a CCJ to disappear from your file. Some high street lenders and specialist providers will consider an application just 12 months after a CCJ was registered, provided it meets their criteria.

Does a satisfied CCJ still affect a mortgage application?

Yes, a satisfied CCJ remains visible on your credit file for six years, but lenders view it much more favourably than an unsatisfied one. Having the debt marked as paid shows financial responsibility and opens up a wider range of competitive mortgage products.

Can a CCJ be removed from my credit file?

A CCJ stays on your public record for six years unless it is paid in full within one calendar month of the judgment date. Settling the debt within that first month allows you to apply to have the CCJ completely cancelled and removed from your credit report. If a CCJ was issued in error, or you never received the claim and you have a valid defence, you can have the CCJ “set aside” by using form N244. If a judge agrees, the judgment is cancelled and removed from the register.

Do you need a bigger deposit for a mortgage with a CCJ?

While some lenders accept standard deposits (such as 5%-10%) for small or older CCJs, a severe or recent CCJ often requires a larger deposit. Specialist lenders balancing higher risk may look for deposits starting around 10%-15% or more.

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The question we put to Newspage’s experts, and their answers.

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Newspage Raw

Mortgage with a CCJ – can borrowers get one?

ended 15. October 2026

County Court Judgements (CCJs) are on your file for six years – but can you still get a mortgage?

You can get a CCJ for parking fines, unpaid credit cards, unpaid loans, unpaid utility bills, unpaid council tax or arrears on rent or a mortgage.

Newspage research has found that for paid CCJs, six lenders will consider you for a mortgage one year after the CCJ was registered.

TSB (up to £500 in six years), Virgin Money (one, up to £500 in six years, none registered in the last six months), Coventry (total under £500 when up to three years old), Accord (one, up to £300 in six years), Barclays (one, £200 or less, while within three years), HSBC (total £500 or less within three years)

Questions asked of experts:

  • Can you still get a mortgage with a CCJ on your file?
  • Do not many people understand you don't have to wait six years to be accepted for one?
  • What is your advice to someone with a CCJ?

10 responses from the Newspage community

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Darryl DhofferVerified
Founder at The Mortgage Geezer
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Think a CCJ locks you out of a mortgage for six years? Think again. While high street lenders like TSB, Virgin, and HSBC may consider small paid CCJs (often under £500), automated scoring can easily trigger rejections, even with these amounts.

Fortunately, many mutual building societies and non high street lenders manually assess credit rather than rely on rigid scores. Depending on your CCJ amount, registration date, and whether it’s satisfied, a specialist broker can match you with a flexible lender.
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Ranald MitchellVerified
Director at Charwin Mortgages
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A CCJ is not a six-year mortgage ban. The real question is what happened, why it happened and why we can reasonably expect it not to happen again. A one-off parking fine or an isolated credit problem following a life event is very different from persistent unmanaged debt. That context matters, and with the right lender we can often obtain an exception where the published criteria alone might suggest a decline. The strongest cases are those where the issue has been resolved, recent conduct is clean and there is a credible explanation showing the problem was temporary rather than ongoing. With CCJs, good underwriting is about the story behind the credit file, not just the marker itself.
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Craig FishVerified
Director at Lodestone Mortgages
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Yes you can, and you don't have to sit out six years before a lender will look at you. A CCJ is a speed bump, not a six-year roadblock, yet so many people assume the door stays shut until it finally drops off their file. In the last 12 months I've placed clients with CCJs on their credit record, and once a CCJ is paid, several mainstream lenders will consider you after just a year if the amount is small. Even an unsatisfied CCJ isn't an automatic no. Specialist lenders will still look at it, but expect to need a bigger deposit and to pay a higher rate. The right approach depends on your circumstances, but my advice is generally the same: pay it off as soon as you can and get it marked as satisfied, because a settled debt opens up far better options than an unpaid one. Check your file with all three credit reference agencies, and don't fire off applications hoping one sticks, as every hard search leaves a mark. Criteria vary hugely, so speak to a whole-of-market broker before you apply
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Aaron StruttVerified
Product and Communications Director at Trinity Financial
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You can get a mortgage with a CCJ, but it is harder, especially if you apply to one of the big banks or building societies. If the CCJ is for a relatively small amount and you have a really good excuse for getting it, some lenders may consider the application, but you may need to approach a specialist lender like Kensington or Precise. The downside of the specialist lenders is that they charge higher rates, but many position themselves as credit-repair options: they issue mortgages and help borrowers rebuild their credit record and score so they can qualify for a better mortgage rate in a few years. Accord Mortgages has just updated its policy so applications with up to one CCJ of £300 or less in the last 6 years should qualify for a mortgage, as well as applications with up to two defaults with a total value of £250 or less in the last 6 years. The lender says mortgage applications with two or more secured missed payments within the last 24 months will now be automatically declined.
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Tracey DixonVerified
Buy-to-Let Mortgage Specialist & Owner at Pure Mortgage and Protection
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The worry about a CCJ can stop someone asking about a mortgage before a lender has even seen their circumstances.

Having one does not automatically mean waiting six years. The amount, its age, whether it has been paid and the rest of the applicant’s credit history all matter, alongside deposit and affordability.

However, being within a lender’s published CCJ limits is only part of the assessment. It is not a promise of approval.

My advice is to seek help early, even if you think buying is some way off. Have your full credit reports reviewed, check that any paid judgment is correctly recorded as satisfied and keep existing commitments up to date.

A conversation does not commit you to an application. It can establish whether there are suitable options now or what needs to improve before you apply. There is no shame in asking where you stand.
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Justin MoyVerified
Managing Director at EHF Mortgages
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This is a very common misconception; there are plenty of mortgage lenders that will help you with a CCJ on your credit record. Many of the high street lenders allow smaller credit blips, but there are plenty of building societies and specialist lenders that will be able to help too. Judgements for parking tickets and utility bills, for example, can often be ignored by lenders, too. As an example, we have just helped a first-time buyer with a CCJ dated 2 years old, obtain a mortgage with Skipton BS with just a 10% deposit, on normal high street rates.

The role of the broker cannot be underestimated here - knowledge of the lenders' underwriting criteria, and their ongoing working relationships to discuss borderline cases where there have been genuine mistakes, can make a significant difference to the monthly payments, and that move into home ownership too. So speak to an experienced broker who will take time to understand the situation, and access the right lenders.
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Nouran MoustafaVerified
Practice Principal & IFA at Roxton Wealth
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A CCJ is serious, but it is not automatically a six-year mortgage ban.

That is the bit many borrowers misunderstand. Lenders look at the amount, how old it is, whether it has been satisfied and the wider story behind it. Some mainstream lenders will consider relatively small, older CCJs well before they disappear from the credit file.

My advice is: do not spray applications everywhere hoping one sticks. Check all three credit files, make sure the CCJ is recorded correctly, settle it where appropriate and speak to a broker before applying.

If a CCJ is paid in full within one month, it can be removed from the register entirely. Otherwise it normally remains for six years.

A CCJ can narrow your lender choice. It does not automatically end it.
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Toby QuanstromVerified
Director at Quanstrom Financial
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A CCJ is a speed bump, not a six-year roadblock. Too many buyers assume they can't get a mortgage until the CCJ drops off their file, so they never ask, and that myth costs them years of rent. Lenders really want to know three things: how big was it, how old is it, and has it been paid? A small, settled CCJ that is a year or more old may be acceptable to several mainstream lenders, subject to criteria. Larger or recent ones usually mean a specialist lender at a higher rate. Pay it off, check your credit file and speak to a broker before you apply.
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Richard DavidsonVerified
Mortgage Advisor at onlinemortgageadvisor.co.uk
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You can absolutely get a mortgage with a CCJ, and we’re increasingly seeing clients with them, especially smaller ones for things like parking fines, which can be really frustrating. Most people assume they’ll be shut out of mainstream lending for six years, but in fact a single CCJ that’s more than a year old and settled will often fit with a high street lender, and we work with many specialist lenders who can do even more.

Many clients probably think they may be shut out or even 'blacklisted' from mortgages but in reality it's more flexible, and there are options even with a few CCJs on your file.

The main thing is to get advice and see what your options are, because different lenders have very different policies. Often, if your overall credit score is good, you can still fit with a high street lender.
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Jamie AlexanderVerified
Mortgage Director at Alexander Southwell Mortgages
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Yes, you can get a mortgage with a CCJ and most people do not realise that. The six year rule refers to how long it stays on your credit file, not how long you have to wait before a lender will consider you.

Several high street lenders will look at applications with a paid CCJ after just one year. TSB, Barclays, HSBC, Virgin Money, Coventry and Accord all have criteria that can accommodate them, usually where the value is under £500 and it has been satisfied.

The key variables are the amount, whether it has been paid, how old it is and how many there are. A single small settled CCJ is a very different proposition to multiple larger ones left unpaid.

My advice is simple. Do not assume the door is closed and do not start firing off applications without knowing where you stand. Get proper advice first. The right broker will know exactly where to place it.