Mortgage After Missed Payments
Mortgages are available after missed payments - from specialist lenders who assess the number, age, and severity of payment history rather than declining on a credit score alone.
Missed payments are graded, not blanket declined
Specialist adverse credit lenders classify missed payments by product type (mortgage, loan, credit card, utility), number of missed payments, how recently they occurred, and whether the account has since been brought up to date. A single missed payment 3 years ago on a credit card is treated very differently from 3 missed mortgage payments in the last 12 months. The right specialist lender depends on the specific grade of adverse history.
Every missed payment history assessed individually
Missed Mortgage Payments
Missed mortgage payments are the most serious category of adverse credit for a new mortgage application. Specialist lenders have defined criteria - typically accepting 1-2 missed payments beyond 24 months ago for the better rate tiers.
Missed Loan Payments
Personal loan, car finance, and secured loan missed payments are assessed more leniently than missed mortgage payments. The number, recency, and whether the account was subsequently brought up to date all affect which specialist lenders are accessible.
Missed Credit Card Payments
Credit card payment history - particularly on 0% balance transfer cards - is assessed least stringently by specialist adverse credit lenders. Multiple recent missed credit card payments still affect the available rate tier.
Utility and Telecoms Arrears
Missed utility or mobile phone payments are assessed as minor adverse credit. Most specialist lenders are comfortable with historic utility arrears provided the accounts have since been brought up to date.
The 'Clean Since' Factor
The most important factor after the missed payment history itself is how long the credit record has been clean since the last adverse event. A 2-year clean period since the last missed payment materially broadens the available lender panel.
Rebuilding for a Better Rate
Borrowers who can wait 12-24 months - maintaining a clean record - can access materially better rates. We assess the current options and the timeline to better terms, so you can make an informed decision about timing.
How it works
Full payment history review
Share the full history - types of missed payments, dates, amounts, and current status of each account. We assess which specialist lender tier your history falls into.
Lender matching
We identify the lenders whose specific missed payment criteria match your history and find the best available rate within the qualifying panel.
Application with explanation
We prepare a clear credit explanation alongside the standard application - presenting the missed payment history and subsequent clean record in the format specialist underwriters respond to.
Offer and completion
Typical timeline: 4 to 6 weeks. Manual underwriting for adverse credit cases takes slightly longer than automated mainstream assessment but produces the right result.
Missed payments on your credit file?
Tell us the full picture. We identify which specialist lenders can place your case at the best available rate - same working day response.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a mortgage with missed payments in the last year?
Yes - from specialist adverse credit lenders. The available rate will reflect the recency of the missed payments, and the lender panel is narrower than for older adverse history. Options improve significantly once missed payments are more than 12-24 months old.
How many missed payments are acceptable for a mortgage?
Different specialist lenders have different thresholds - typically 1-3 missed payments beyond 24 months ago for the better rate tiers. More recent or numerous missed payments require specialist lenders with more flexible criteria, at higher rates.
Does it matter which type of account the missed payments are on?
Yes significantly. Missed mortgage payments are treated most seriously. Missed loan and credit card payments are treated progressively less severely. Missed utility and telecoms payments are treated least seriously.
How long will missed payments affect my credit file?
Missed payment records remain on the credit file for 6 years from the date of the event. Specialist lenders weight recent missed payments most heavily - the impact reduces as missed payments become older.
Should I wait before applying or apply now?
It depends on the urgency of the purchase or remortgage and the rate difference between applying now versus waiting 12-24 months for the adverse history to age. We model both scenarios - apply now with specialist lender at current rate, or wait for better terms - so you can make an informed decision.