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A county court judgement is a formal decision issued when someone hasn’t repaid a debt. It often follows missed payments on things like credit agreements, utility bills, or mobile contracts.
Once registered, a CCJ remains on your credit file for six years. Even if the balance is later paid, the judgement still shows.
After six years, it no longer appears on your file, but until then, it may shape the way lenders view your mortgage application.
Finding out there’s a county court judgement (CCJ) on your credit file can be stressful, especially if it only comes to light when applying for a mortgage.
While it can affect your options, having a CCJ doesn’t mean buying a home is off the table. There are still lenders out there who may be open to reviewing your application.
This article explores how a CCJ can influence a mortgage decision, and what lenders tend to consider when it shows up on your credit file.
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Will a CCJ Stop Me Getting a Mortgage?
It may limit your lender options, but it won’t always result in a decline.
Lenders each have their own criteria, and many will consider applicants for a mortgage with a CCJ, depending on several factors:
- How long ago the CCJ was registered
- Whether it has been paid (known as “satisfied”)
- The amount involved
- If you have any other marks on your credit file
- The size of your deposit and your income
In general, the longer ago the CCJ occurred and the cleaner your credit conduct has been since, the more likely it is that a lender will be open to your application.
Can I Get a Mortgage with an Unsatisfied CCJ?
In some cases, yes. Certain lenders may still consider an application, especially if the CCJ is smaller, older, and not part of a wider pattern of missed payments.
That said, if your chosen lender requires CCJs to be satisfied, leaving it unpaid could be a reason for refusal.
Before deciding whether to pay it off, it’s worth looking at whether doing so would reduce your deposit too much.
In some cases, paying the CCJ helps. In others, keeping a strong deposit may make more of a difference.
Will I Need a Specialist Lender?
You might. If the CCJ is recent or if there are multiple issues showing on your credit report, it’s more likely you’ll need to work with a lender that specialises in complex cases.
These lenders tend to look at the bigger picture. They may consider the reasons behind the judgement, how your finances have been handled since, and whether the situation has improved.
The rates on these types of mortgages are usually higher at the beginning. Over time, if your credit improves and the CCJ falls off your file, you may be able to remortgage onto a more competitive deal.
Should I Pay Off My CCJ Before Applying?
It depends on the lender, the size of the judgement, and your deposit. Some lenders require a CCJ to be satisfied before they’ll consider your application.
Others take a more flexible approach, especially if your affordability is strong and the rest of your application looks stable.
If paying it off would leave your deposit too small, it may not be the right move.
On the other hand, if the CCJ is small and you have the funds to clear it without affecting your deposit, it might improve your chances.
What If You Didn’t Know You Had a CCJ?
This does happen. Some people only discover a CCJ when they check their credit report ahead of applying. It may have been issued to a previous address or during a period of financial difficulty.
Once it’s registered, a CCJ is very difficult to remove. Unless it was issued in error, you’ll usually need to deal with it as it stands.
That means either paying it off or working with a lender who accepts it as part of your application.
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Can You Improve Your Mortgage Options Over Time?
Yes. A CCJ today won’t stay on your credit file forever.
If you take out a mortgage with a specialist lender, make your payments on time, and avoid further credit issues, you’ll often be in a better position to remortgage in the future.
Once the CCJ falls off your credit report, and your profile has improved, more lenders may become available to you again.
What to Do If You Have a CCJ
Getting a mortgage with a CCJ might take a bit more planning, but it isn’t impossible.
The best place to start is by understanding what’s on your credit file, and which lenders are likely to consider your situation.
Some may be more open than others, especially if the CCJ is older or has been resolved.
Working with a mortgage broker can help match you with lenders that deal with these types of applications regularly.
That way, you can avoid wasted time and focus on the route that’s most likely to work for you.
