No, a default is not a CCJ. A default is added to your credit report by a lender when you miss payments on an account. A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order telling you to repay a debt. They are different — but a default can sometimes lead to a CCJ if the debt isn't resolved. Lenders treat CCJs as more serious, but both can be accepted by specialist mortgage lenders, especially if they're settled or older than 12–24 months.

How long do defaults and CCJs stay on your credit file in the UK?

Defaults and CCJs both stay on your UK credit file for six years from the date they were registered, and then drop off automatically — even if the debt hasn't been paid. A default stays for six years whether it's settled or not, though settled defaults are marked 'satisfied' and viewed more favourably by lenders. A CCJ also stays for six years, but if you pay it in full within one month of the judgment, it can be removed from your credit file completely. After six years, lenders can no longer see them. You don't always need to wait that long to get a mortgage though — many specialist lenders accept CCJs and defaults that are only 12–24 months old, particularly when settled.

Can you get a mortgage with a CCJ or default in the UK?

Yes, you can get a mortgage with a CCJ or default in the UK. High-street lenders usually prefer the CCJ or default to be at least three years old and settled, but specialist bad credit mortgage lenders will often accept ones registered in the last 12 months — sometimes even unsatisfied ones if the amount is small. The key factors lenders look at are how long ago the issue happened, whether it's satisfied, how many you have, the amount owed, and your deposit size. A specialist mortgage broker can match you to the lenders most likely to approve your situation. Call Chris on 07359911696 for a quick, no-pressure chat to find out what's possible.

Which mortgage brokers work with bad credit?

28 Jun

Written By Christopher Smith

The brokers who work with bad credit are specialist (adverse credit) brokers — ones who focus on CCJs, defaults, IVAs, missed payments and low credit scores rather than only clean, high-street cases. Many general brokers will also handle adverse credit, but a specialist does it day in, day out and knows the lenders best.

What matters isn't a label but experience. A broker who regularly places adverse credit cases knows which lenders accept what, which is the knowledge that actually gets you a mortgage.

What does a bad credit mortgage broker actually do?

A bad credit broker assesses your credit situation, identifies the lenders likely to accept it, and presents your case to give it the best honest chance. They handle the detail — recency of the issue, whether it's satisfied, your deposit and income — and match it to the right lender.

They also protect your credit file by steering you away from lenders who'd decline you, since each hard search leaves a mark. In short, they turn a confusing, high-risk search into a targeted one.

How do I find a bad credit mortgage broker near me?

Search for specialist or adverse credit brokers in your area, and look at reviews and whether they clearly describe handling cases like yours. Local knowledge can help, though much of the work is done by phone and video these days, so you're not limited to your immediate area.

Being local does have value — a broker who knows your region understands the property market and local valuers. We work with clients right across Greater Manchester and the surrounding towns.

Are there free bad credit mortgage brokers?

Some brokers charge a fee, some are paid only by the lender, and many use a mix of both — so "free" varies and you should always ask upfront. Be cautious of anyone vague about how they're paid.

A good broker is transparent about costs from the start. The initial chat should be free and without obligation, with any fees explained clearly before you commit to anything.

Do specialist brokers have access to lenders I can't get directly?

Yes — this is one of the biggest reasons to use one. A large part of the specialist lending market doesn't deal with the public at all and only accepts applications through brokers, so those lenders are simply unreachable on your own.

That means a specialist broker can put you in front of options you'd never find by walking into a bank. Our <a href="/bad-credit-mortgages">bad credit mortgages</a> page explains more about how this works.

What should I ask a bad credit broker before signing up?

Ask how they're paid and what any fees are, how often they place cases like yours, and whether they have whole-of-market access including specialist lenders. Also ask whether the initial review involves a hard credit search — it shouldn't.

A good broker will answer all of this plainly and won't pressure you. If anything feels evasive or pushy, that's a reason to look elsewhere.

Choosing well

The right bad credit broker is experienced with adverse cases, transparent about fees, has genuine whole-of-market access, and treats you without judgement. Get those right and you've got someone who can genuinely help rather than just take a fee.

Have a free, no-obligation chat with Chris Smith Mortgages on 07359 911696. Ask us anything — that's what the first call is for.

Christopher Smith