Bad Credit Mortgage Approved With 17 Defaults and Multiple Missed Payments
A case study showing how first-time buyers secured a mortgage with 17 historic defaults across both applicants and a history of missed payments.
- Publication date
- Case ID:
- 166125049
Question:
"Can I get a mortgage if I have bad credit and 17 defaults on my credit file?"
Customer situation
Couple applying together
First-time buyers
One applicant permanently employed; the other not currently working
29% deposit from savings and other sources
House purchase in England
17 defaults recorded across both applicants (8 satisfied)
Multiple missed payments recorded on credit commitments historically, with no defaults registered in the last 12 months
Why This Wasn't Straightforward
The application involved a high volume of historic adverse credit, with 17 defaults recorded across both applicants and a history of missed payments. Many lenders apply automatic limits on the number of defaults they will consider, regardless of age or value. Although the applicants had taken practical steps to regain control of their finances, including reducing outstanding debts, the scale of historic adverse credit significantly narrowed lender choice.
The Outcome
Mortgage approved.
The lender focused on the recent improvement in conduct, the absence of new defaults, and overall affordability rather than the historic headline numbers alone.
Key points
- Loan-to-value
- 71%
- Mortgage term
- 35 years
- Lender type
- Specialist lender with criteria allowing higher volumes of historic adverse credit
- Mortgage Adviser
- John Hall
Who This May
Be Relevant For
Applicants seeking a mortgage with a high number of historic defaults
Borrowers whose adverse credit volume has led to repeated declines
Buyers told the number of defaults alone makes approval impossible
Applicants with historic bad credit but no recent deterioration
Plain-English Summary
A long list of defaults doesn't automatically stop a mortgage being approved, especially if there's been a clear improvement since. Some lenders look closely at what's changed in the last year, not just what happened in the past. Every application is assessed on its own merits.