Can you get a mortgage with defaults or CCJs in 2025? Yes — and it’s easier than people think

Defaults and CCJs used to mean automatic decline. Not anymore. In 2025 specialist lenders regularly approve clients with:

• Defaults within the last 3 to 6 months.
• CCJs within the last 6 months.
• Unsatisfied defaults or CCJs.
• Multiple forms of adverse including DMPs, BNPL use and late payments.

Your recent 90 day behaviour matters more than the old credit issues themselves.

What lenders really look at in 2025

1. Age of the default or CCJ

Specialist lenders now accept defaults and CCJs that are:

• 0 to 6 months old.
• Unsatisfied.
• Multiple.
• Mixed with other adverse.

2. Value of the adverse

Telecom defaults barely matter. High value CCJs can still pass with a clear explanation and stable recent behaviour.

3. Recent credit behaviour

This is the biggest factor.

• Clean last 90 days.
• No missed payments.
• No new credit.
• Stable income.

Case study, mortgage approved with CCJ from 3 months ago and 15 percent deposit

Here’s a real style scenario that happens often in 2025.

The client

• CCJ from 3 months ago (unsatisfied).
• Two defaults in last 18 months.
• Clean rental history.
• 15 percent deposit.
• Employed full time.

Their bank declined them. Two brokers said “wait 3 to 6 years”.

The outcome

They were approved with a specialist lender that accepts:

• New CCJs (even unsatisfied).
• Recent defaults.
• Higher risk profiles.
• 15 percent deposits.

Completed in 9 weeks. Normal in 2025.

Lender criteria for defaults and CCJs in 2025

Defaults

• Accepted unsatisfied.
• Accepted under 6 months old.
• Multiple allowed.
• Telecom/utility defaults usually fine.

CCJs

• Accepted unsatisfied.
• Accepted under 6 months old.
• Multiple allowed.
• Medium or high value can still work.

Missed payments

Late payments on cards or loans are fine once behaviour stabilises. Mortgage lates need strong equity.

DMPs

Active DMPs accepted by several lenders.

IVA/bankruptcy

Possible once discharged with strong deposit.

Step-by-step guide to getting a mortgage with defaults or CCJs

1. Pull your full multi agency credit report. Not Experian alone. Not Credit Karma alone. Checkmyfile shows all four agencies.
2. Clean your bank statements for 60 to 90 days. No overdrafts, no gambling, no BNPL, no bounced payments.
3. Avoid taking new credit.
4. Prepare a short, factual explanation. No long stories needed.
5. Use a broker who understands specialist lenders. One wrong lender = instant decline.

Common decline reasons (all fixable)

• Applying to high street banks.
• Applying too early after a new CCJ/default.
• Messy bank statements.
• Using the wrong credit report.
• Taking new credit.
• Poor explanation.
• Not matching lender criteria.

Summary

Defaults and CCJs — even unsatisfied, even recent — do not stop you getting a mortgage in 2025. What matters is:

• Clean, stable recent behaviour.
• The right lender.
• Clear explanation.
• Strong enough deposit.

Further reading