In this guide
Can you get a mortgage with a CCJ?
Yes. A County Court Judgement does not automatically prevent you from getting a mortgage. At least 12 UK lenders — including both specialist and some mainstream names — will consider applicants with one or more CCJs on their credit file.
How your CCJ is assessed depends on five key factors: the age of the CCJ, its value, whether it has been satisfied (paid), the total number of CCJs you have, and whether you have other adverse credit alongside it. Some lenders are remarkably flexible — Precise Mortgages, for example, will consider CCJs of any age and value, adjusting the product tier and rate rather than declining outright.
The key is matching your specific CCJ situation to the right lender. A small satisfied CCJ from three years ago opens up very different options to a large unsatisfied one registered last year.
Which lenders accept CCJs — full comparison
The table below shows real published criteria from 12 lenders and product tiers that accept applicants with CCJs. Criteria can change — always verify with the lender or a broker before applying.
| Lender | Accepts CCJs? | Max Age Required | Max Value | Must Be Satisfied? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atom Bank (Prime) | Limited | 6+ years | N/A | Yes | Must be registered >6 years ago AND discharged |
| Atom Bank (Near Prime) | Yes | 12+ months | £1,000 unsatisfied | No | Max 4 total; 0 in last 12 months |
| Bath BS (Standard) | Limited | Any | £500 | Yes | Must be satisfied; last 3 years |
| Bath BS (Credit Repair) | Yes | Any | £5,000 | No | Over 2 years; 70% max LTV |
| Beverley BS | Limited | 3+ years | £500 | Yes | All must be settled over 3 years |
| Bluestone | Yes | 6+ months | Varies by tier | No | Under £500 or older than 36 months ignored; 5 credit tiers |
| Generation Home | Limited | Any | £100 | Yes | CCJs over £100 not acceptable |
| Hodge | Yes | Any | £500 sat / £250 unsat | No | Satisfied max £500 in 3 years; Unsatisfied max £250 in 6 years |
| Kensington (Select) | Yes | 36+ months | £1,000 | No | 72 months for 95% LTV products |
| Kensington (Core) | Yes | 24+ months | £1,000 | No | More flexible than Select tier |
| Precise | Yes | Any | Any | No | Status and timing determine tier/rate |
| Together | Yes | Any | £10,000 | No | Refer if unsatisfied over £10,000 |
Criteria sourced from published lender documentation. Last reviewed April 2026. Always confirm directly before applying.
How lenders assess a CCJ
Lenders do not simply accept or decline based on a CCJ existing. They look at several dimensions to determine whether they can lend and at what rate:
Age of the CCJ
The older the CCJ, the better. Most specialist lenders require a minimum of 12 to 24 months since registration. Some mainstream lenders like Atom Bank Prime need 6 or more years. After 6 years, a CCJ drops off your credit file entirely, at which point most mainstream lenders will no longer see it.
Satisfied vs unsatisfied
A satisfied (paid) CCJ is viewed far more favourably. Many lenders that accept CCJs require them to be satisfied — Bath BS Standard, Beverley BS, and Generation Home all insist on it. Lenders that accept unsatisfied CCJs typically impose stricter limits on value and require a larger deposit.
Value of the CCJ
Lower values are treated more leniently. Generation Home draws the line at just £100, while Together will consider CCJs up to £10,000. Bluestone ignores any CCJ under £500 entirely. Precise has no stated maximum — they adjust the tier and rate based on the overall picture.
Number of CCJs
Having multiple CCJs narrows your options. Atom Bank Near Prime allows a maximum of 4 in total. Other lenders assess the cumulative picture — one small CCJ alongside otherwise clean credit is very different to three recent CCJs combined with defaults.
Other adverse credit alongside the CCJ
A CCJ on its own is manageable for most specialist lenders. When combined with defaults, missed payments, or higher-severity issues like an IVA or bankruptcy, fewer lenders can help and deposit requirements increase. Precise and Bluestone are among the most flexible for applicants with multiple adverse markers.
Deposit requirements by scenario
The deposit you need depends on the severity of your CCJ and which lender you target. Here is a realistic guide:
| Scenario | Typical Deposit Required |
|---|---|
| Small satisfied CCJ (under £500), 3+ years old | 5% — 10% |
| Satisfied CCJ (£500–£1,000), 12+ months | 10% — 15% |
| Unsatisfied CCJ under £1,000 | 15% — 25% |
| Multiple CCJs or CCJ with other adverse credit | 20% — 30% |
| Large CCJ (over £5,000), recent or unsatisfied | 25% — 35% |
Interest rate expectations
Mortgage rates for applicants with CCJs are higher than mainstream rates, but the gap has narrowed in recent years as more specialist lenders have entered the market.
As a general guide in April 2026, expect the following indicative ranges:
- Small satisfied CCJ, 3+ years old: 1% — 2% above high-street rates. Some near-prime products from Atom Bank or Kensington Select are competitively priced.
- Moderate CCJ, 12–36 months: 2% — 3% above high-street rates. Kensington Core and Bluestone typically sit in this range.
- Recent or unsatisfied CCJ: 3% — 5% above high-street rates. Together and Precise offer products here, with rates reflecting the higher risk.
The good news is that you can remortgage to a better rate once your CCJ ages or drops off your credit file. Many borrowers start with a specialist lender and move to a mainstream product within 2 to 3 years.
CCJ mortgage affordability example
Consider a single applicant earning £35,000 per year with one satisfied CCJ of £800 registered 18 months ago, looking to buy with a 15% deposit on a 25-year repayment term:
| Lender | Approx. Max Borrowing | Indicative Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington (Core) | £148,000 | 5.2% |
| Bluestone | £140,000 | 5.6% |
| Precise | £145,000 | 5.8% |
| Hodge | £135,000 | 5.4% |
| Together | £130,000 | 6.2% |
Illustrative only. Actual offers depend on full underwriting assessment. Rates as of April 2026.
In this example, the applicant could borrow between £130,000 and £148,000 depending on the lender. With a 15% deposit, that translates to a property value of roughly £153,000 to £174,000.
Check your CCJ mortgage affordability
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Start Your CheckSteps to getting a mortgage with a CCJ
- Check your credit file. Get your full credit report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Confirm the exact date, value, and status (satisfied or unsatisfied) of each CCJ. Errors on credit files are common — if anything is wrong, dispute it before applying.
- Satisfy the CCJ if you can. Paying off an unsatisfied CCJ significantly widens your lender options and improves the rates available to you. Even if you cannot afford to pay it in full, some lenders view partial satisfaction favourably.
- Save the largest deposit you can. A bigger deposit opens more lender doors and reduces rates. Moving from 10% to 15% deposit can shift you from one product tier to a better one.
- Check your affordability across multiple lenders. Do not just approach one lender. Different specialist lenders have very different criteria and affordability calculations. Our calculator checks 60+ lenders simultaneously.
- Speak to a specialist broker. A broker experienced in adverse credit mortgages can access lender products not available directly to the public and will know which lenders are most likely to approve your specific situation.
- Prepare your documentation. Have proof of the CCJ being satisfied (if applicable), a letter explaining the circumstances, bank statements showing responsible financial management since the CCJ, and standard mortgage documents (payslips, ID, address proof).
- Consider timing. If your CCJ is close to dropping off your credit file (6 years from registration), it may be worth waiting. Even a few months can shift you from specialist to near-prime or mainstream rates.
