Buy to Let Mortgages with Bad Credit
Specialist Help for Landlords with CCJs, Defaults, or Low Credit Scores
Having bad credit doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Whether you’re an experienced landlord or buying your first rental property, we work with specialist buy to let lenders who consider applicants with CCJs, defaults, or missed payments. Our team makes the process clear and simple, helping you find a deal that works for your circumstances.
Buy to Let • Bad Credit
Landlord finance made simple — even with CCJs, defaults or a low credit score. We’ll explain your options in plain English and help you move forward with confidence.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Who we help
- First‑time and experienced landlords
- Credit challenges: CCJs, defaults, missed payments
- Complex income (self‑employed, contractors, company directors)
- Limited company & portfolio landlords
We specialise in cases that need a bit more thought. If mainstream lenders said “no”, we’ll look at the why and match you with criteria that fit.
What counts as “bad credit” for Buy to Let?
Every lender defines adverse credit differently. Common items include:
CCJs & Defaults
Older or satisfied issues may be acceptable; recent events can limit lenders or raise rates.
Arrears & Missed Payments
How many, how recent, and what type (e.g. loans, cards, utilities) all matter.
Debt Management
DMPs/arrangements aren’t an automatic “no”, but criteria vary widely across lenders.
Not sure what’s on your file? Check across three bureaus in one report: CheckMyFile multi‑agency credit report.
How lenders assess Buy to Let with bad credit
- Rental income (ICR): Lenders stress‑test the rent to ensure it covers repayments.
- Deposit & equity: Bigger deposits can unlock more options and better pricing.
- Credit profile: Type, date and status of any adverse events are weighed up.
- Experience & plan: First‑time landlord? It’s fine — clear rationale and numbers help.
Tip: tidy up paperwork early — ID, proof of income, bank statements, existing mortgage statements (if any) and expected rent.
Typical deposit by credit issue
| Credit issue | Likely deposit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recent default | 25 to 40 percent | Higher where default is within 12 months |
| CCJ in last 24 months | 25 to 35 percent | Depends on value and number |
| Active DMP | 25 to 30 percent | Track record of payments helps |
| IVA settled | 25 to 35 percent | More seasoning is better |
| Bankruptcy discharged | 30 to 40 percent | Commonly two to three years since discharge |
Figures are typical ranges. Exact terms depend on lender policy, recency, amounts, and overall profile.
Buy to Let Mortgage Support
First-Time Landlords
Never done this before? No problem. We’ll guide you through your first Buy to Let — even with a limited credit history.
Bad Credit Considered
Defaults, CCJs, missed payments? We’ll help you find a lender who looks at the full picture — not just your credit score.
Limited Company Mortgages
Looking to invest through a company? We work with lenders who specialise in SPV and limited company Buy to Lets.
Portfolio Landlords
Own multiple properties? We can help with refinancing, restructuring, or expanding your portfolio with confidence.
Raise Capital
Need funds to reinvest, repay debt, or make improvements? We’ll show you how to release equity from your property.
Remortgage a Buy to Let
Coming to the end of your fixed term? We’ll help you switch deals smoothly — and avoid costly standard variable rates.
Key risks to understand
- Stress rates and tax rules can change which affects borrowing and yield
- Void periods and repairs can reduce net return so build a buffer
- Higher fees and rates may apply with heavy adverse
- Company structures carry tax and legal duties so take qualified advice
Limited company & portfolio landlords
Buying through a limited company (SPV) or expanding a portfolio? Lender criteria and tax considerations are different to personal buy to let. We’ll walk you through the trade‑offs, from rates to stress‑tests and documentation.
How we work (simple, transparent, honest)
1) Listen
A quick call to understand your goals, timeline and credit history.
2) Search
We compare criteria from mainstream and specialist lenders to find suitable options.
3) Support
We handle the paperwork and keep you updated — in plain English — from A to B.
Our detailed placement process for credit issues
- Fast discovery call to map your goals and timelines
- Credit report review and document check
- Lender policy match and rental stress calculation
- Recommendation with fees and total cost
- Application packaging to present strengths clearly
- Chase to offer with regular updates
Check your credit across the main agencies with our partner. View your report.
Typical scenarios we can place
Recent default (12–24 months)
With a larger deposit and strong rent coverage, there may still be viable options.
- From ~25% deposit
- Stronger case if satisfied
Historic CCJ (satisfied)
Older, satisfied CCJs can be acceptable with mainstream or specialist lenders.
- Case-by-case underwrite
- Clean conduct since helps
Limited company BTL
SPV set‑ups with PGs are common; criteria differ to personal BTL.
- ICR varies by tax status
- Director checks still apply
Why choose Honest Mortgages?
No hidden fees
Clear, upfront costs with no surprises. We tell you exactly what you’ll pay before you commit.
Plain-English updates
We cut the jargon and explain each step in simple terms so you know where things stand.
Speed & responsiveness
We prioritise your timeline, return calls quickly, and keep you in the loop start to finish.
Recent case studies
First-time landlord with CCJ
Outcome: Competitive specialist rate agreed within 4 weeks after demonstrating rental cover and clean recent conduct.
Portfolio landlord in a DMP
Outcome: Refinance into limited company BTL, consolidating and improving monthly cashflow.
Contractor with historic defaults
Outcome: Approval using SA302s and bank statements with robust ICR.
What our clients say
“I was told ‘no’ by my bank after a default. Honest Mortgages explained my options clearly and had an offer in weeks. Couldn’t be happier.”
“Transparent, quick, and straight‑talking. They handled my portfolio refinance smoothly despite my credit history.”
Get your buy to let options
Tell us a little about the property and your credit history. We’ll come back with what’s realistic and the next steps.
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