What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage in the UK?

There is no single "minimum credit score" to get a UK mortgage. Each lender has its own internal scoring model, and they use it alongside your income, employment history, deposit, and the property itself. But your headline credit score from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion is a strong proxy for your chances.

This guide explains what each agency considers good, what mainstream lenders actually want, and how to improve your score quickly. For the wider FTB context, see our pillar How to get a mortgage as a first-time buyer in the UK and the related deep-dive on how to improve your chances of getting a mortgage.

The three UK credit reference agencies

Every UK lender uses at least one of:

• Experian — score range 0–999. "Good" is 881–960; "Excellent" is 961+.
• Equifax — score range 0–1000. "Good" is 531–670; "Excellent" is 811+.
• TransUnion (formerly Callcredit) — score range 0–710. "Good" is 604–627; "Excellent" is 628+.

You can check all three for free:

• Experian: free via Experian's own free account or via MoneySavingExpert's Credit Club
• Equifax: free via ClearScore
• TransUnion: free via Credit Karma

Don't pay for a "credit score" service — every paid version uses the same data the free ones do.

What scores mainstream lenders accept

Below 500 you'll struggle to get a residential mortgage at any reasonable rate. Above 800, the lender market is wide open.

What lenders actually look at

Your three-digit score is a summary. The lender sees the underlying data:

• Payment history — late or missed payments are the biggest negative factor
• Credit utilisation — how much of your available credit you're using (target: under 30%)
• Length of credit history — older accounts in good standing help
• New credit applications — many recent applications hurt
• Defaults, CCJs, IVAs, bankruptcies — these stay on file for 6 years
• Public information — electoral roll registration is a major positive
• Linked accounts — joint accounts with someone with poor credit can drag you down

Some adverse events have informal "look-back" periods that lenders apply:

• Late payments — usually fine if 12+ months ago
• Defaults — most lenders want to see 24+ months since default
• CCJs — many require 36+ months
• IVA / bankruptcy — typically 6 years from discharge

What you can fix quickly

Things that improve your score within 30 days

• Register on the electoral roll at your current address (huge boost)
• Pay down credit card balances to under 30% of the limit
• Close store cards you don't use that you've held for years (mixed effect — read carefully)
• Use Experian Boost — opens up open-banking data showing your direct debits paid on time, can lift the score 20–80 points

Things that take 3–6 months

• Build payment history by setting up a small recurring direct debit (mobile, gym) and paying on time
• Reduce overall credit utilisation by paying down balances
• Avoid new applications during this period

Things that take 6+ months

• Recover from missed payments — they decay slowly
• Recover from a default — usually 24+ months before lenders will look past it

Tactical things people miss

• Address discrepancies. If you lived at "Flat 2, 14 High St" with one bank and "14a High Street" with another, lenders may flag inconsistency. Fix at source.
• Old credit reports. A 7-year-old default that should have dropped off but hasn't — write to the agency to remove it.
• Joint accounts with ex-partners. Even if you're separated, a joint mortgage / current account links your credit files. Ask both banks for a "notice of disassociation".
• Address linked to fraud. If a previous resident had bad credit at your address, you can request a "notice of correction".

Hard vs soft credit checks

• Soft check: leaves no footprint. Used for AIP, eligibility checkers, your own credit report views.
• Hard check: leaves a footprint visible to other lenders for 12 months. Used for full mortgage applications, new credit cards, loans.

Multiple soft checks: no impact. Multiple hard checks in a short window: looks like financial distress and lowers your appeal.

Get AIPs from up to 3 lenders before committing to a full application — soft checks only. Don't full-apply with multiple lenders.

What to do 3 months before applying

• Get all 3 credit reports
• Register on the electoral roll
• Pay down credit cards to under 30% of limit
• Pay down "buy now pay later" (Klarna, Clearpay) — these affect your score
• Don't apply for new credit
• Set up direct debits for utilities and small recurring bills, paid from your main account
• Make sure addresses are consistent across all lenders

Bad credit doesn't mean no mortgage

Specialist lenders exist for the post-bankruptcy, ex-CCJ, and missed-payment market. Rates are higher (1–3 percentage points above mainstream) but the route is open. Read Bad credit mortgages.

You'll typically need:

• A larger deposit (15–25%)
• Stable income for at least 12 months
• A specialist broker who knows the lender appetites

Adverse credit specialist brokers: The Mortgage Hut, Just Mortgage Brokers, and many independent IFAs.

Get a free mortgage quote — many brokers will sense-check your credit profile against lender criteria before you formally apply.

Frequently asked questions

What credit score do I need for a 95% mortgage? Typically 800+ on Experian. Mainstream lenders are stricter at high LTVs.

Does checking my own credit score lower it? No — that's a soft check.

Can I get a mortgage with a CCJ? Yes, but typically only after the CCJ is satisfied and 2–3 years have passed. Specialist lenders may consider you sooner with a larger deposit.

Is my partner's credit score considered? Yes — every applicant is checked. The weakest credit profile in the application typically sets the bar.

Will a missed mobile phone payment from 5 years ago matter? Probably not, unless it became a default. Late payments fade quickly. Defaults stay on file 6 years.

Will using a credit-builder credit card help? Yes — used responsibly (pay off in full each month, keep balance under 30%), they build payment history fast.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult a qualified mortgage adviser before making a decision.