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Adverse Credit Mortgage Specialists
A County Court Judgment on your credit file makes mortgage applications more complex - but it is far from impossible. Specialist lenders assess CCJ cases every day, and with the right broker, many applicants go on to secure approval.
Key point: Lenders look at the age, amount, and whether a CCJ is satisfied before making a decision. A satisfied CCJ is viewed far more favourably than an outstanding one.
A County Court Judgement (CCJ) is a court order issued in England, Wales or Northern Ireland when a creditor takes legal action to recover a debt and the court rules in their favour. CCJs are registered on the Register of Judgements, Orders and Fines and appear on your credit file for six years from the date of the judgement.
If you pay the full amount within one month of the judgement, you can apply to have it removed from the register — as though it never happened. If paid after one month, the CCJ is marked as satisfied on your file but remains visible for the full six-year period.
An unsatisfied CCJ — where the debt has not been repaid — stays on file and is treated as most serious by lenders.
High-street lenders will typically decline any application with a CCJ on file, regardless of age or value. This is not because getting a mortgage with a CCJ is impossible — it is because high-street lenders use automated credit scoring that flags CCJs as an automatic rejection trigger.
Specialist lenders take a different approach. They use manual underwriting — a real person reviews your application — and assess CCJs based on age, total value, how many there are, and whether satisfied. A single, satisfied CCJ valued at under £1,000 and over two years old is very different from a recent, unsatisfied CCJ of £10,000.
Age: The older the CCJ, the better. 12 months, 2 years and 3 years are common threshold points in lender criteria. The closer to six years old (when it drops off the file), the wider your options.
Satisfaction status: A satisfied CCJ is significantly easier to place than an unsatisfied one. If you have an outstanding CCJ, settling it before applying is strongly recommended.
Value: Lower-value CCJs (under £1,000–£2,500 depending on the lender) are treated more leniently than high-value judgements.
Number: A single CCJ is easier to place than multiple CCJs. Lenders will look at the total value of all CCJs on file. Deposit: For CCJ cases, 15% is the typical minimum for a satisfied CCJ over 2 years old; 20–30% is often required for recent or unsatisfied judgements.
First, check your credit file with CheckMyFile to confirm exactly how the CCJ is recorded — date, value, satisfaction status — across all three agencies. Discrepancies between agencies are common and matter.
If the CCJ is unsatisfied and you are able to pay it, do so — then wait for the register to be updated before applying. If the CCJ is already satisfied, check the date it was registered, as this determines which lender criteria apply to your case.
Then speak to a specialist broker who can identify the right lender for your exact position without running a hard search on your file.
At Alexander Southwell, we handle CCJ mortgage cases regularly. We know which lenders apply which thresholds, and we will give you an honest assessment of your options and realistic rate expectations before any application is submitted.
Our specialist advisers have helped many clients with CCJs onto the property ladder. Fee-free advice with no obligation to proceed.
Speak to an AdviserCan you get a mortgage with an unsatisfied CCJ? It is harder but possible. A small number of specialist lenders will consider it, but deposit requirements are typically 20–30% and rates are higher. Satisfying the CCJ first significantly improves your options.
How long does a CCJ stay on your credit file? Six years from the date of the judgement. Pay within one month and you can apply to remove it from the register entirely.
What deposit do I need for a mortgage with a CCJ? For a satisfied CCJ over two years old, some specialist lenders accept 15%. For recent or unsatisfied CCJs, 20–30% is typically required.
Will a CCJ stop me getting a mortgage? High-street banks are unlikely to consider you. Specialist lenders assess the full picture — age, value, status — and many will make an offer.
Should I pay off my CCJ before applying for a mortgage? Yes. Satisfying a CCJ opens significantly more lender options and will result in better rates and terms.
Alexander Southwell Mortgages is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Ref: 1011890). Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute financial advice.
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