Unlike a CCJ, a default is recorded by the lender or creditor without going to court, so there is no judgment date to track, only a default date, which sets when it drops off. What a lender tends to weigh is how many defaults there are, how old they are, whether they are settled and what type of account they came from.
This page looks specifically at how a partner’s default or defaults may be viewed on a joint application, and what tends to help. For other credit problems on a partner’s file, see our main page on joint remortgages when your partner has bad credit.
On this page
This page covers
- Credit issue
- DefaultsUsually stays on your credit file for 6 years from the default date.
- Reason for remortgaging
- Changing the mortgageChanges to the term, repayment type or borrowers usually need a fresh application.
Read the main guide: Remortgaging jointly when your partner has bad credit
In short
- A default stays on a credit file for 6 years from the default date, whether or not it is later paid.
- Paying a default marks it settled, which some lenders view more favourably, but the 6 years does not shorten.
- Several defaults are usually looked at together rather than in isolation.
- A default on a partner’s file does not appear on yours unless the account was joint.
What counts as a default, and when is it recorded?
A default is usually recorded by a lender or creditor after around 3 to 6 months of missed payments, following ICO guidance, once they treat the account as broken down rather than simply late. It is separate from a CCJ, which is a court judgment, and separate from ordinary missed payment markers, which are recorded earlier and do not carry the same "default" label.
If your partner has both defaults and earlier missed payment markers on the same account, a lender may see the fuller history, not just the default itself. Our page on remortgaging with defaults explains how a default is generally viewed for the account holder.
Does it matter how many defaults your partner has?
Often, yes. A single default from several years ago tends to be viewed differently from several defaults, particularly if they cluster around the same period, which can suggest a wider period of financial difficulty rather than one account going wrong.
| Situation | What a lender may consider |
|---|---|
| One default, several years old, settled | Often viewed favourably, especially close to the 6-year point |
| One default, recent, unsettled | May narrow the choice of lenders, particularly at a higher LTV |
| Several defaults from the same period | Often looked at as a pattern, with the underlying cause considered |
| Defaults from different, unrelated periods | May be looked at individually rather than as one pattern |
General patterns, not a specific lender’s rules. Each lender sets its own criteria.
Does settling a default help a joint application?
It can. A default that has been paid is usually marked settled, and some lenders who consider adverse credit look more favourably on a settled default than one still outstanding. It still shows on the credit file for the full 6 years from the default date, whether it is paid or not, so settling it does not remove it or shorten the time it appears.
- Check the default status on all three credit reference agencies, since they can differ.
- Keep proof of payment or a settlement letter from the creditor.
- Ask the creditor to confirm the default date in writing if it is unclear.
- Correct any error through the agency concerned before you apply.
How can you strengthen a joint application with a default on file?
There is no way to remove a genuine default early, but there is usually room to present the application well.
- Explain what happened, briefly and honestly. A short, factual note about the circumstances can help an adviser present your case.
- Show a clean record since. Consistent payments on other credit and on your current mortgage, if you have one, help build a stronger overall picture.
- Consider your equity. A lower LTV generally widens the choice of lenders willing to look past a default elsewhere on the file.
- Compare specialist lenders. Some work specifically with applicants who have one or more defaults, particularly once they are settled or a few years old.
Our credit file date calculator can show roughly when a default should drop off, which helps with deciding whether to apply now or wait.
What may affect a joint remortgage when your partner has defaults
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Default date | How long ago each default was recorded, since it drops off 6 years from that date. |
| Number of defaults | One default is usually viewed differently from several, particularly from the same period. |
| Settled or unsettled | Whether the debt has been paid, and roughly when. |
| Type of account | A default on a credit card, loan, utility or mobile contract may be looked at differently. |
| Whether the account was joint | A default on a shared account shows on both credit files, not just your partner’s. |
| Combined income and outgoings | What is affordable together once any remaining debt payments are included. |
| Loan to value | A lower LTV generally widens the range of lenders who may consider the application. |
These are general points, not lender rules. Each lender sets and changes its own criteria.
Information an adviser may ask for
You don’t need all of this to make an enquiry. It helps to know where to find it, because an adviser is likely to ask about most of it.
- The default date, amount and creditor for each default on your partner’s file
- Whether each default is settled, and any proof of payment
- Recent credit reports for both of you from all three agencies
- A short explanation of what led to the default or defaults
- Proof of income for both applicants
- Your mortgage balance, deal end date and an estimate of your property’s value
Frequently asked questions
Is it easier to remortgage jointly if my partner has one default rather than several?
Often, yes, particularly if the single default is older or settled. Several defaults, especially from the same period, tend to be looked at as a wider pattern, which some lenders view more cautiously.
Can we apply once my partner has settled the default?
You can apply at any time, but settling it first often helps, because a settled default is generally viewed more favourably than an unpaid one, even though it still stays on the file for 6 years from the default date.
Does a default on my partner’s file lower my own credit score?
No, unless the account was joint. Scores are calculated per person, per agency. What can happen once you have a joint mortgage or account is that a lender considers your partner’s file alongside yours when assessing an application.
What if we don’t know the exact default date?
Ask the creditor directly, or check your partner’s credit reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, which should show the date recorded. If reports disagree, raise it with the agency showing the wrong date.