Yes, you can get a mortgage with a County Court Judgment (CCJ). A CCJ doesn’t automatically prevent you from buying a home, although it can reduce the number of lenders prepared to accept your application.

For many lenders, a CCJ is just one part of the decision. They’ll also look at when it was registered, whether it’s been paid, your deposit, income and how you’ve managed your finances since.

In many cases, an older satisfied CCJ has far less impact than a recent one.

Does A CCJ Mean You’ll Be Declined?

Not necessarily. One of the biggest misconceptions is that a CCJ makes getting a mortgage impossible.

While some lenders have strict criteria, others will consider applications from people with previous credit problems.

A single CCJ from several years ago is unlikely to be viewed in the same way as multiple recent CCJs or ongoing financial difficulties.

That’s why two applicants with similar incomes can receive very different mortgage decisions.

What Will Mortgage Lenders Look At?

No lender looks solely at the words “County Court Judgment”.

Instead, they’ll usually want to know:

  • How long ago the CCJ was registered.
  • Whether the debt has been paid.
  • How much money was involved.
  • If there is more than one CCJ.
  • Your recent repayment history.
  • Your income and monthly commitments.
  • The size of your deposit.

The aim is to assess the level of risk today, rather than focusing entirely on something that happened several years ago.

Does The Age Of A CCJ Matter?

Yes. Time is often one of the biggest factors.

Many lenders become more flexible as a CCJ gets older, particularly if you’ve kept up with your financial commitments since it was registered.

If the debt has been satisfied and you’ve maintained a good repayment record afterwards, you’ll often have more options than someone whose CCJ was issued recently.

A CCJ normally stays on your credit file for 6 years, but that doesn’t mean every lender treats a five-year-old CCJ in the same way as one registered a few months ago.

Does Paying A CCJ Improve Your Chances?

In many cases, yes. Paying the debt won’t remove the CCJ from your credit report before the six-year period ends, but it does show you’ve resolved the issue.

Some lenders specifically prefer satisfied CCJs, while others place more importance on how long ago the debt was settled. Although an unsatisfied CCJ can make finding a mortgage more difficult, it doesn’t always mean you’ll be declined.

What If You Have Other Credit Problems?

A CCJ isn’t the only type of adverse credit lenders consider.

Missed payments, defaults, debt management plans, Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) and bankruptcy can all affect the mortgage products available to you.

If you have a combination of credit issues, some lenders may apply stricter criteria, while specialist lenders may still be willing to consider your application.

If your credit history includes more than just a CCJ, it may be worth looking at bad credit mortgages rather than focusing on the CCJ alone.

Will You Need A Bigger Deposit?

Not always. Some applicants with a CCJ are able to obtain a mortgage with a relatively small deposit, while others may need to contribute more.

The deposit required depends on factors including the age of the CCJ, your credit history, affordability and the lender’s criteria. Saving a larger deposit can improve your choice of mortgage products, but it isn’t the only factor lenders consider.

Can You Improve Your Chances Before Applying?

Yes. Although you can’t remove an accurately recorded CCJ from your credit report, you can strengthen the rest of your application.

This could include making all future payments on time, reducing outstanding borrowing, avoiding multiple credit applications in a short period, and checking your credit report for any errors.

Building a positive payment history after the CCJ should make a significant difference over time.

Should You Wait Before Applying?

Not always. Some people assume they have to wait until a CCJ disappears from their credit report before applying for a mortgage. That isn’t necessarily the case.

If your CCJ is several years old and your finances have improved since then, suitable mortgage options may already be available. On the other hand, if the CCJ is very recent, waiting could increase the number of lenders prepared to consider your application.

Date Last Edited: July 23, 2026