Failing a credit score

The benchmarks for passing a credit score differs depending on the lender. Sometimes it can be easy; other times it can be strict and challenging to pass. If a lender likely has failed you, you might not have been told why you failed. In some cases, this is because it was a combination of little things, and in truth, they aren’t sure why you had been declined.

It’s at this moment where you will feel the advantages of a mortgage broker in Bristol. We are here to help you and guide you everywhere in the early stages, right through to the end of your mortgage journey. Beforehand, it is strongly recommended that you obtain a copy of your credit file to show your Mortgage Advisor in Bristol.

They will be able to go through it with you and try to match you with the most suitable lender for your situation. The more deposit you have available for you to put down, the easier your chances will be to pass a credit score for a mortgage.

There are things you are able to do to improve your credit score, such as using a credit card regularly (if you have one) and ideally paying off the balance in full each month. You will also need to be on the voters roll for the area of which you live. That one can often be overlooked but is incredibly helpful. You can also close down old bank accounts and credit and store cards that you have since stopped using.

If you fail one lender’s credit score, do not give up! There may still be another lender willing to accept you, though please be wary about having too many hard credit footprints registered against you, as too many hard searches can affect your credit score.

Declined For a Mortgage On Affordability

The different lenders have their own individual ways of calculating how much you can borrow. It’s entirely plausible that you could approach 10 different Lenders and each one give different answers. Some lenders are more generous than others depending on the circumstance, with some, for example, known to be fairer to those who are self-employed.

Some mortgage lenders can consider assessing 100% of an employee’s overtime and bonuses, though this is not the case with every lender. Depending on the lender, some will also accept “unearned” income such as tax credits, child benefit and maintenance.

A mortgage broker in Bristol who deals with First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advice in Bristol can approach several different lenders without the need for a credit check, in order to perform an affordability assessment. If you are looking to buy a home, we would highly recommend that you have an affordability assessment carried out before you start viewing properties to avoid potential disappointment in the future.

If you are Moving Home in Bristol, proving that you have maintained mortgage or rent payments in the past is not an immediate guarantee that you will pass a lender’s own affordability test.

Outside of Lending Policy 

All lenders have their own specific, strict mortgage lending criteria, with some being better than others in certain situations. Lenders look to carve out niches for themselves to fit into, as a means of attracting good quality mortgage borrowers who might not tick all of the right boxes for their competitors.

Some examples as to why your application has been declined for being outside of policy are: 

  • Length of time in employment or self-employment.
  • Non-standard property construction.
  • Married applicant applying for a sole mortgage.
  • Minimum/maximum age or mortgage term.
  • Adverse credit history.
  • Not enough deposit.
  • Minimum/maximum loan amount.

An experienced Mortgage Broker in Bristol will use their experience of lenders and criteria tools to recommend the most suitable mortgage for you, based on your own personal circumstances. If your situation is a little more complex, then you should look for mortgage advice as being declined elsewhere may affect your chances of being accepted for a mortgage going forward.

Date Last Edited: October 4, 2024