Credit Scores and Mortgages: What Lenders Look At

Credit scores and mortgages are closely linked, but perhaps not in the way you’d expect. Mortgage lenders don’t use the score you see in an app. They look at the information in your credit report and run it through their own checks.

This guide explains what’s on your credit report, what lenders look for when you apply for a mortgage, how long information stays on file, and the practical steps that may help you get your credit file ready before you apply.

How credit scores and mortgages fit together

Your credit file, also called a credit report, is a record of how you’ve used credit. It’s held by credit reference agencies. MoneyHelper says there are four in the UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion and Crediva.

Each agency also gives you a credit score, a number that sums up your report. But MoneyHelper explains that different agencies use different maximum scores and different definitions of an “excellent” score, so your score may not be the same with each one. It also says that a high score doesn’t guarantee you’ll be accepted.

That’s because mortgage lenders don’t simply look up your score. They check your credit report, then weigh it alongside your income, your outgoings and the amount you want to borrow, using their own criteria.

What’s on your credit report

MoneyHelper lists what a credit report includes, and some things that people often assume are on it but aren’t.

Your lender will learn about your income from your payslips or accounts instead. Our documents you need for a mortgage checklist lists the paperwork lenders usually ask for.

What mortgage lenders look at on your credit file

When you apply, lenders are trying to judge how likely you are to keep up your payments. From your credit file, that usually means looking at:

• Your payment history: whether you’ve paid credit cards, loans and bills on time.
• What you already owe: MoneyHelper lists having too much debt as one of the common reasons mortgage applications are declined.
• Recent applications for credit: MoneyHelper warns that too many applications in a short space of time can damage your credit score.
• Public records: County Court Judgments, bankruptcies and Debt Relief Orders.
• Financial links: anyone you share credit with, such as a partner on a joint account.
• Your electoral roll entry: whether you’re registered to vote at your current address.

Your credit history is only one part of the picture. MoneyHelper says lenders also look at your income, outgoings and employment history. Our guide to how much you can borrow for a mortgage explains how those fit together.

£Mortgage borrowing calculatorSee an illustrative borrowing range based on your income and debtsTry it →

Soft and hard credit checks

Not every credit check leaves a mark on your file. MoneyHelper explains the difference between the two types of search.

MoneyHelper says most mortgage lenders first check your eligibility with a soft search, and this is usually what’s used for an agreement in principle. If you’re turned down at that stage, it won’t affect your credit rating. A hard search usually comes when you make your full application.

How long information stays on your credit file

MoneyHelper says missed or late payments and defaults stay on your credit report for up to six years. Public records, such as County Court Judgments, can also last up to six years, and sometimes longer. Experian adds that a default stays for six years from the date of default, even if you pay off the debt.

Accurate negative information can’t be removed early. MoneyHelper says that if something on your report is wrong, you can ask the credit reference agency to correct it.

Credit score myths and mortgages

There are a few common beliefs about credit scores and mortgages that don’t hold up. Here’s what the official guidance says.

Credit checks when you remortgage or switch deals

Your credit file matters when you remortgage too, not just when you buy. The FCA explains that if you move to a new deal with your current lender and you’re up to date with your payments, you usually won’t need an affordability check unless you want to borrow more. Most other lenders will want you to pass an affordability check if you remortgage to them.

So if you’re planning to switch lenders when your deal ends, it may be worth checking your credit reports a few months beforehand, in the same way as if you were buying. Our guide to what happens when your fixed-rate mortgage ends explains the options at that point.

Joint applications and financial links

If you apply for a mortgage with someone else, lenders will look at both of your credit files. MoneyHelper explains that joint borrowing also shows on both of your credit reports, and it links you financially. That link can matter later, because a lender may look at the other person’s record too.

MoneyHelper suggests being wary of joint accounts if the other person has a poor credit history. If you’ve closed a joint account and no longer share any credit, you can ask the credit reference agencies for a notice of disassociation, so your reports are no longer linked.

How to get your credit file ready for a mortgage

These steps are based on MoneyHelper’s guidance. Starting a few months before you apply may help, as some changes take time to show.

1. Check your credit reports It’s free with all four agencies, and checking as often as you like won’t affect your score. Look for anything you don’t recognise.
2. Correct any mistakes Report errors to the credit reference agency straight away, and update any old addresses.
3. Register to vote at your current address MoneyHelper says councils send voter data to the agencies monthly, which could improve your score within eight weeks.
4. Pay everything on time Setting up Direct Debits can help you avoid missed payments.
5. Hold off on new credit MoneyHelper suggests avoiding new credit deals for at least a year before you apply for a mortgage, and using soft-search eligibility checkers rather than applying.
6. Check your financial links If you’ve closed a joint account with someone, you can ask for a notice of disassociation so your reports are no longer linked.

What if your credit history isn’t perfect?

A few problems in the past don’t automatically rule out a mortgage. MoneyHelper explains that a poor credit history can mean being offered a higher interest rate than advertised, being asked for a bigger deposit, or being turned down. It depends on what’s on your file, how long ago it happened, and the lender.

If a lender turns you down, MoneyHelper suggests asking which credit reference agency it used, so you can check that report for errors. It’s worth avoiding a string of applications to other lenders straight away, because each full application can leave a hard search on your file.

For a wider look at getting ready to buy, our first-time buyer mortgage guide and our free first-time buyer checklist take you through each stage.

Summary

Credit scores and mortgages are linked through your credit report rather than one magic number. Lenders look at how you’ve managed credit, what you owe and any missed payments or court records, alongside your income and outgoings. Checking your reports early, correcting mistakes and avoiding new credit before you apply may help, depending on your circumstances.

Sources

• MoneyHelper – How to check your credit report for free
• MoneyHelper – How to improve your credit score
• MoneyHelper – Have you got a 999 credit score but been refused a loan?
• MoneyHelper – What to do when your mortgage application is declined
• MoneyHelper – Can you get a mortgage with bad credit?
• Experian – How can a default impact my credit profile?

Last updated: 4 November 2026. This guide is general educational information only and is not regulated financial advice.