What Credit Score Do I Need for a Mortgage in the UK? 2026 Guide
Published 9th of September 2012·Updated 28 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
There is no single minimum credit score for a mortgage in the UK. Lenders set their own criteria and assess your full financial picture, not just a number. As a general guide, a score of 881 or above on Experian, or 420 or above on Equifax, gives you access to most mainstream mortgage deals. If you are borrowing a high proportion of the property value with only a small deposit, you will likely need an excellent score.
Short Summary
Mortgage lenders in the UK do not use a single universal credit score. Each lender runs its own assessment and may use a different credit reference agency.
Your income, deposit size, and total monthly outgoings matter just as much as your credit score. A high earner with a 25 per cent deposit may be approved even with a fair credit score.
The three UK credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Checking your report with at least two of them before you apply gives you the most complete picture.
If your credit score is poor, specialist mortgage lenders and brokers can access deals from lenders who accept applicants with CCJs, defaults, or a history of missed payments.
Speaking to a whole-of-market mortgage broker before applying is strongly recommended. They can match your profile to the most suitable lender without leaving hard-search marks on your credit file.
What credit score bands do mortgage lenders use?
The table below shows the score bands used by Experian and Equifax, along with a general guide to how each band affects mortgage applications. These are indicative thresholds; individual lenders may differ.
| Score band | Experian | Equifax | Mortgage impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 961-999 | 466-700 | Best rates; approved by almost all lenders |
| Good | 881-960 | 420-465 | Approved by most high-street lenders |
| Fair | 721-880 | 380-419 | Approved by many lenders; rate may be higher |
| Poor | 561-720 | 280-379 | Limited to specialist lenders; higher rates |
| Very poor | 0-560 | 0-279 | Very few options; large deposit usually required |
TransUnion scores run from 0 to 710. A score of 566 or above is considered good on their scale.
Does your credit score alone decide whether you get a mortgage?
No. High-street lenders such as Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, and Nationwide assess your application using a combination of factors. Your credit score is one input, but lenders also weigh your income (and whether it is employed, self-employed, or from other sources), your existing monthly commitments, the size of your deposit, and the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio you are applying for.
A borrower with a fair credit score who earns a good income and has a 25 per cent deposit may be accepted by a mainstream lender where a borrower with an excellent score but only a 5 per cent deposit and high monthly commitments might not be.
How much deposit do you need if your credit score is low?
The lower your credit score, the more important your deposit becomes. A larger deposit reduces the lender's risk and offsets a weaker credit profile. Most high-street lenders require at least a 10 per cent deposit for applicants with a fair score, and 20 per cent or more if your score is in the poor band. Some specialist lenders may accept a 10 per cent deposit with a poor score, but the interest rate will be considerably higher.
Can you get a mortgage with a bad credit score?
Yes, but your options are more limited and the cost is higher. Specialist mortgage lenders, including Precise Mortgages, Kensington Mortgages, and Pepper Money, specifically work with applicants who have adverse credit. These lenders accept applications from people with CCJs, defaults, debt management plans (DMPs), and in some cases discharged bankruptcies.
The interest rates on specialist mortgages are higher than mainstream deals, but many borrowers use them as a stepping stone. After two to three years of making on-time mortgage payments, your credit score typically improves enough to remortgage to a better rate.
What is the best first step before applying for a mortgage?
Check your credit reports with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion before you approach any lender. All three offer free access to your statutory report. Look for errors: accounts that are not yours, payments incorrectly marked as missed, or old debts that should have dropped off after six years. Dispute any errors directly with the relevant agency; corrections can take up to 28 days but can meaningfully improve your score before you apply.
Then speak to a whole-of-market mortgage broker. Brokers have access to deals not available directly to consumers, and they can carry out soft searches to identify suitable lenders without leaving marks on your credit file. This service is often free to the borrower, as the broker is paid by the lender on completion.
How to strengthen your mortgage application
Register on the electoral roll at your current address if you have not already done so. Close any unused credit accounts, as some lenders treat a large amount of available credit as a potential risk. Reduce your existing credit card balances below 30 per cent of the limit before applying. Avoid applying for any other credit in the six months before your mortgage application.
If you are close to the threshold between fair and good, even a few months of targeted effort can push your score into a better band and open up significantly better mortgage rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum credit score for a mortgage in the UK?
There is no official minimum. In practice, mainstream lenders such as Halifax and HSBC prefer applicants with a good or excellent score. A fair score (721 to 880 on Experian) can still result in approval, particularly with a larger deposit and a strong income. Specialist lenders work with applicants in the poor range.
Does checking my own credit score affect my mortgage application?
No. Checking your own credit report creates a soft search, which is only visible to you and has no impact on your score. Only a hard search, carried out when you formally apply for credit, affects your score. Always check your own report before applying.
Can I get a mortgage after a CCJ?
Yes, though it is more difficult. A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years. Within the first year, most mainstream lenders will decline your application. After two or three years, specialist lenders such as Kensington Mortgages and Pepper Money may consider your application, particularly if the CCJ has been satisfied (paid off) and you have maintained a clean credit record since.
Does my partner's credit score affect a joint mortgage application?
Yes. When you apply for a joint mortgage, lenders assess both credit files. A poor score from either applicant can affect the rate you are offered or lead to a decline. Some couples choose to apply with only one name if one partner has significantly better credit, though this reduces the income taken into account.
How long before applying for a mortgage should I start improving my credit score?
Six to twelve months is a realistic timeframe for making a meaningful improvement. Registering on the electoral roll, correcting errors, and reducing credit utilisation can all produce results within one to three months. Negative markers such as defaults and CCJs take longer to fade in their impact.
Should I use a mortgage broker if I have a low credit score?
Yes. A whole-of-market broker has access to specialist lenders that do not accept direct applications, and they can match your profile to the most suitable lender before any hard searches are carried out. StepChange and Citizens Advice can also provide free guidance if debt is contributing to your credit issues.