What Is the Minimum Credit Score to Buy a House in the UK?
Published 11th of January 2013·Updated 6 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
There is no official minimum credit score to buy a house in the UK. Mortgage lenders assess your full financial picture, including your income, deposit, existing debts, and credit history. That said, most high-street lenders expect a score in at least the "fair" band, and a score of 881 or above on Experian gives you access to the widest range of deals and the most competitive rates.
Short Summary
There is no single number that determines whether you can get a mortgage. Each lender runs its own assessment using its own criteria and its preferred credit reference agency.
Your deposit size and income are just as important as your credit score. A borrower with a 25 per cent deposit and a strong income may be approved even with a fair credit score.
The three UK credit reference agencies, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, each score you differently. Checking your report with all three before applying helps you understand your starting point.
Specialist mortgage lenders including Kensington Mortgages, Pepper Money, and Precise Mortgages accept applicants with CCJs, defaults, and other adverse credit markers.
A whole-of-market mortgage broker is the most effective way to find a suitable lender without leaving multiple hard search marks on your credit file.
What credit score do mortgage lenders look for?
The table below shows the general thresholds used by Experian and Equifax, the two most widely referenced agencies in the UK mortgage market, and what each band typically means for your mortgage application.
| Score band | Experian | Equifax | Mortgage impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 961-999 | 466-700 | Best rates; approved by virtually 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 slightly higher |
| Poor | 561-720 | 280-379 | Limited to specialist lenders; larger deposit usually required |
| Very poor | 0-560 | 0-279 | Very few options; significant deposit and specialist advice needed |
These are indicative ranges. Each lender, including Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, and Nationwide, uses its own internal scoring model alongside the credit reference data.
Is your credit score the most important factor?
No. Mortgage lenders in the UK are required by the FCA to carry out a full affordability assessment. This means your income, your monthly outgoings, and the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of your mortgage all carry significant weight.
Consider two examples. A first-time buyer with a fair Experian score of 750, a 25 per cent deposit, and a household income of £60,000 is likely to be approved by a mainstream lender. A buyer with an excellent score of 980 but only a 5 per cent deposit, a high level of existing debt, and an income that makes the monthly repayment tight may face more difficulty.
The deposit and income together frame how much risk the lender is taking on. A higher deposit reduces LTV and gives the lender more security; a higher income demonstrates that repayments are affordable.
Can you buy a house with a poor credit score?
Yes, through specialist mortgage lenders. Kensington Mortgages, Pepper Money, Precise Mortgages, and Together Money specifically serve applicants with adverse credit, including those with CCJs, defaults, debt management plans (DMPs), IVAs, and discharged bankruptcies. These lenders typically require a larger deposit (often 15 to 25 per cent) and charge a higher interest rate than mainstream providers.
The practical approach for many buyers with poor credit is to use a specialist mortgage for two to three years, during which time consistent on-time mortgage payments improve their credit score significantly. They then remortgage to a mainstream lender at a better rate.
How does your deposit size affect your chances?
| Deposit size | LTV | Minimum credit profile typically needed |
|---|---|---|
| 5% (95% LTV) | 95% | Good to excellent score; clean recent history |
| 10% (90% LTV) | 90% | Fair to good score; limited adverse marks |
| 15% (85% LTV) | 85% | Fair score; minor adverse credit may be accepted |
| 20-25% (75-80% LTV) | 75-80% | Fair score; some specialist lenders accept poor credit |
| 40%+ (60% LTV) | 60% | Most lenders; some adverse credit accepted |
The larger your deposit, the more flexibility you have on credit score requirements. If your credit score is poor and you cannot wait to improve it, saving a larger deposit may be the most effective strategy.
What should you do before applying for a mortgage?
Check all three credit reports. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each allow you to access your statutory credit report for free. Look for errors: incorrectly recorded missed payments, accounts that are not yours, or old debts that should have fallen off your file after six years. Errors can and should be disputed directly with the relevant agency; corrections typically take up to 28 days.
Register on the electoral roll at your current address if you have not done so. Lenders use this to verify your identity and address history. Close any credit accounts you no longer use, as high levels of available credit can concern some lenders. Reduce your credit card balances below 30 per cent of each card's limit before applying.
Then consult a whole-of-market mortgage broker. Brokers can run soft searches across dozens of lenders to find the most suitable deal for your profile, without affecting your credit score. Many brokers are paid by the lender on completion, meaning the service costs you nothing directly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a house with a poor credit score?
Yes. Specialist mortgage lenders including Kensington Mortgages, Pepper Money, and Precise Mortgages accept applications from buyers with CCJs, defaults, IVAs, and other adverse credit markers. You will typically need a larger deposit (15 to 25 per cent) and will pay a higher interest rate, but homeownership is achievable even with a poor credit score.
Do both applicants' credit scores matter on a joint mortgage?
Yes. When you apply jointly, the lender assesses both credit files. If one applicant has a significantly lower score or adverse marks, this can affect the rate offered or even lead to a decline. Some couples apply in just one name to avoid this issue, though this means only one income is assessed for affordability.
How long does a default stay on my credit file and affect my mortgage chances?
A default remains on your credit file for six years from the date it was registered. Within the first two years, most mainstream lenders will decline your application. Between two and four years, specialist lenders become increasingly accessible. After four to six years, the default has less impact, though it is still visible until the six-year mark.
Does checking my own credit score affect my mortgage application?
No. Checking your own credit report creates a soft search, which is invisible to lenders. Only a formal credit application by a lender creates a hard search. Always check your own reports with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion before approaching any lender.
Is a mortgage advisor the same as a mortgage broker?
Not always. A mortgage advisor who works for a specific bank will only recommend that bank's products. A whole-of-market mortgage broker has access to deals from a wide panel of lenders, including specialist lenders not available directly to consumers. If your credit profile is anything other than excellent, a whole-of-market broker is strongly recommended.
What is the Help to Buy scheme and does my credit score matter?
The original Help to Buy equity loan scheme in England closed to new applications in October 2022. Replacement schemes, including the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme and various shared ownership products, may have specific credit requirements. A mortgage broker can confirm which government-backed schemes, if any, your credit profile qualifies for.