Can I Get a Mortgage With a CCJ?

Wondering if you can get a mortgage with a County Court Judgment (CCJ)? Find out how a CCJ affects your chances — and how to remove it to improve your credit file.

If you’ve recently applied for a mortgage and been rejected — or been offered a worse rate than expected — it might be down to a County Court Judgment (CCJ) on your credit file.

CCJs are often issued without your knowledge, especially if the claim was sent to an old address or got lost in the post. You might only find out when you apply for credit — or get turned down for the house you want.

So, can you still get a mortgage with a CCJ?

Technically yes.

But in reality, most mainstream lenders will say no — or offer very poor terms — until it’s removed from your record.

Why does a CCJ affect mortgages so much?

Because a CCJ is one of the strongest negative marks you can have on your credit report.Lenders see it as a red flag that you’ve failed to pay debt even after legal action — and that you might not repay your mortgage either. It puts you in a high-risk category.

Most mortgage lenders will:
❌ Reject your application if the CCJ is less than 3 years old
❌ Insist the CCJ is fully satisfied and explainable
❌ Refuse entirely if the CCJ is over £1,000
❌ Use it to increase your interest rate or require a larger deposit

Even bad credit mortgage providers will often ask you to explain the CCJ and prove that it’s settled — or that it was issued in error.

What if the CCJ was issued unfairly?

Here’s where it gets interesting:

If the CCJ was issued to an old address, or you never had the chance to respond, you may be able to apply to set it aside.

That means the court can remove the CCJ completely, as if it was never issued.

Under CPR 13.2, if the claim form wasn’t properly served (e.g. sent to the wrong address), the court must set aside the judgment.

Even if you were served but had a valid defence and didn’t respond in time, CPR 13.3 gives the court discretion to remove it — as long as you act promptly.

Will removing a CCJ improve my mortgage chances?

Absolutely.

Once the CCJ is set aside:
✅ It disappears from your credit file
✅ It no longer appears on the public register
✅ You can apply for mainstream mortgages again
✅ You don’t have to explain it to underwriters
✅ You can finally move forward

Removing the CCJ could save you thousands in interest rates — and make the difference between getting the home you want, or getting rejected.

Now What

If a CCJ is standing between you and your dream home:

1. Check your credit file (Experian, Equifax, or Credit Karma)

2. Note the date, address, and court case number

3. Think back — were you living at that address when the claim was made?

4. Request a Subject Access Request (SAR) from the creditor to confirm what they knew

5. Use our AI tool to generate your court application

6. Apply to set aside the judgment and clear your record🏡

A CCJ doesn’t have to stop you getting a mortgage — if it was issued unfairly, you can fight back.

Useful Links

How to Remove a CCJ Without a Lawyer
Subject Access Request: What It Is and How to Use It
Parking tickets and the 6 year rule
N244 Form and Witness Statement Guide