Published 16 December 2013 · Last reviewed 1 May 2026

I have a few Defaults and CCJs after a messy divorce can I get a mortgage even if I have got bad credit?

I would say almost around 35% of all the adverse mortgage enquiries received are to do with a relationship or marital bust up in the past. When tempers are frayed the responsibility for shared financial payments can get muddled and become a bone of contention as the relationship sours.

Many of my enquiries are from past divorcees who have experienced financial difficulties – whether it’s a few missed payments, defaults, CCJs and in extreme cases IVAs or bankruptcies.

A poor credit profile can come back to haunt you when you try to get a mortgage to stand on your own two feet. However, fear not as we understand life does not always go to plan and can help you obtain a mortgage despite adverse credit issues in the past. In fact, at Niche Advice we have been dealing with these type of enquires on a daily basis for over two years. And, despite the poor economic conditions have many, many satisfied clients that we have helped.

In most cases the start point is look at your credit report and past our professional judgment on whether you would be successful in applying for a mortgage. We can normally provide a response within a few hours. This will save you valuable research time and unwanted credit searches against your name.

CCJs and defaults do not always have to be satisfied so do not pay them off until you have first spoken to us (or supplied your credit report) as this might be an unnecessary outlay.

My own preferred credit report provider is Equifax. I find the information held to be the most up to date and clear. You can also download you credit report for free by clicking on the below banner below this article.

In addition to the credit report I will then gather some other relevant basic information about your own personal circumstances such as date of birth, dependents, salary, and other committed expenditure and I will formulate a plan for you to get you the best mortgage rates.

We are totally independent and offer advice from the whole of the mortgage market and for all mortgages we do NOT charge a fee until you have purchased your property. Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous brokers that operate on an ‘upfront fee basis’ and have no intention of putting in the effort to secure you a deal or worse still take your money under false pretenses as they know you do not have a hope of being successful.  So please do not pay anybody upfront for them to simply come back to you with some products.

I also will give you a guarantee that I will personally deal with each case from start to end.

If you have had past credit problems relating to the divorce and need to find a mortgage with bad credit please

Payam Azadi is a partner at Niche Advice Ltd who are Independent Financial and Mortgage Advisers in London.