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Preparing for a remortgage with bad credit is different from a general remortgage checklist, because the timing and detail of what happened matters more. Rather than a list of paperwork to gather, the steps below focus on the decisions and groundwork specific to having a CCJ, default, mortgage arrears, an IVA, bankruptcy or another form of adverse credit on your file.
Know exactly what is on your file, and when it happened
Start by getting your statutory credit report free from each of the three main agencies and reading it properly, rather than relying on memory. For each entry, note the type, the date it was recorded, and whether it is satisfied or still outstanding. This detail affects how a lender views it far more than a general sense that “something is wrong” on your file. If you find something that looks incorrect, our guide on correcting errors on your credit file explains how to challenge it, since genuine mistakes can sometimes be removed, unlike accurate entries.
Decide whether waiting could change your options
Most negative information stays on a credit file for 6 years, and entries that are further from that 6-year mark are sometimes viewed differently by lenders than very recent ones, though there is no fixed rule that applies across the market. If your current deal is not ending soon, it may be worth weighing whether waiting for an entry to age, or to drop off entirely, would open up more options. If your deal ends soon or you need to act now, waiting may not be realistic, and a specialist lender may still be a better route than delaying and drifting onto your lender’s standard variable rate.
Get free debt advice first if debts sit behind the credit issue
If the reason for your CCJ, default or arrears was a wider struggle to manage debt, sort this before, or alongside, preparing to remortgage. MoneyHelper, StepChange and National Debtline all offer free, independent advice, and this is worth doing regardless of your remortgage plans. Consolidating debts into your mortgage, covered on our debt consolidation remortgage page, secures those debts against your home and is not automatically the right answer.
Gather your income evidence in advance
Whatever your income type, having documents ready before you speak to a lender or broker saves time and avoids a second request partway through. Employed applicants typically need recent payslips and, sometimes, P60s. Self-employed applicants are commonly asked for SA302s and tax year overviews, usually covering 2 years, though some lenders consider 1. Most applicants are also asked for recent bank statements, often covering 3 to 6 months.
Write down your explanation before you’re asked
Being able to explain, briefly and factually, what happened and when tends to help far more than hoping it will not come up. Our guide on explaining bad credit to a mortgage adviser covers how to put this together, and our guide on what a mortgage adviser will ask you sets out the kind of questions to expect, so you are not working this out for the first time in the meeting.
Decide between a product transfer, a broker, or applying directly
| Situation | Likely starting point |
|---|---|
| Minor, older, single credit issue, straightforward income | Speaking to your current lender about a product transfer, or approaching a mainstream lender |
| Multiple issues, self-employed income, or already declined once | A specialist broker experienced with adverse credit |
| Debt sits behind the credit issue | Free debt advice first, then a broker if you decide to remortgage |
| Deal ending soon with no obvious credit issue to explain | Your current lender’s product transfer options, compared against the wider market |
Our page on remortgaging with a low credit score explains more about how this part of the market generally works, and our guide on what a mortgage adviser will ask you can help you decide whether you feel ready to go to a lender directly or would rather use a broker first.
Review your budget honestly
Before approaching a lender, work out your current income and outgoings in detail, including any commitments that do not show clearly on a credit file, such as informal family loans or subscriptions. Lenders stress test affordability against higher rates as well as your current payment, so a mortgage that feels comfortable today needs to still work if rates were higher. Being realistic about this yourself, before an adviser or lender does the same calculation, helps you avoid applying for more than is genuinely comfortable, particularly if your credit history means your options are already narrower.
Put a rough timeline together
Work backwards from your current deal’s end date. Many lenders let you arrange a new deal a few months ahead, often 3 to 6 months, depending on the lender, so use this as your deadline for having your credit file checked, your documents gathered and your explanation ready. Building in time also means you are not forced into a rushed decision if your first approach does not go the way you hoped.
What this means for your specific situation
The steps above apply broadly, but the detail depends on which type of adverse credit you have. A CCJ, defaults, mortgage arrears and a past IVA or bankruptcy are all treated somewhat differently by lenders, so once you know exactly what is on your file, read the page most relevant to your situation for the detail specific to it. Preparing this way, rather than approaching a lender or broker with an incomplete picture of your own credit file, tends to lead to a more realistic first conversation and fewer surprises later in the application.
Frequently asked questions
How long before I want to remortgage should I start preparing?
As early as possible, ideally several months before your deal ends or before you plan to apply. Checking your credit file, correcting errors and gathering documents can all take time, and some decisions, such as whether to wait for an entry to age, benefit from knowing your timeline well in advance.
Should I wait for a CCJ or default to drop off my file before applying?
It depends on your situation. Most negative information stays on file for 6 years, and older entries can sometimes carry less weight, but waiting is not always necessary or realistic, particularly if your current deal is ending soon. A specialist adviser can help you weigh the trade-off between waiting and applying now.
Do I need to fix everything on my credit file before applying?
No, but you should know exactly what is there. Genuine errors are worth correcting, since these can be removed. Accurate entries, such as a satisfied CCJ, cannot be removed early and do not need 'fixing', but understanding them helps you and any adviser present your application realistically.
What is the single most useful thing to prepare?
Knowing precisely what is on your credit file, including dates and whether entries are satisfied, tends to matter most, since it shapes every other decision, from which lenders might consider you to how you explain your situation to an adviser.