What Credit Score Do You Really Need to Get a Mortgage in the UK? (The Truth Behind the Numbers)

If you're thinking about buying your first home, you’ve probably wondered…

“What credit score do I need to get a mortgage?”

People often assume there is a magic number — 500, 700, 900 — that guarantees approval.

But here’s the honest truth:

There is no official score that gets you automatically approved.

Mortgage lenders do not approve or decline you based on the number you see on Experian or Equifax.

Your score is simply a guide, not a decision.

⭐ So Why Do Credit Scores Matter?

Even though lenders don’t use your credit score directly…

Your score usually reflects your behaviour and history:

Positive behaviour = higher score
Negative behaviour = lower score

And that tells lenders a story about how safe (or risky) you are to lend to.

📉 When Should You Be Concerned?

From experience, here’s a simple benchmark:

If your score is sitting below:

• 500 on Experian
or
• 350 on Equifax

…it can be a sign that there are issues on your file that you should look into.

A low score doesn’t block you — but it almost always means something needs attention.

🚩 The Key Issues Lenders Really Care About

It’s not the number itself…
It’s what’s inside the report.

Lenders dislike seeing:

• Missed payments

• Late payments

• Accounts in arrears

• Defaults

• CCJs

• Debt management plans

• IVAs

• Bankruptcies

• A lot of recent credit applications

And especially…

how recent these issues are.

⏳ How Far Back Do Lenders Look?

Typically:
The last 6 years on your credit file.

That’s the window lenders focus on most.

Older issues normally become less relevant over time.

🏦 Can You Still Get a Mortgage with a Low Score?

YES — absolutely.

But usually, it requires one of the following:

✔ a larger deposit
✔ stronger supporting documents
✔ the right lender
✔ planning ahead
✔ time for negative issues to fall off

Sometimes the solution is only 3–12 months away.

🛠 Thinking About Buying With a Low Score?

The worst thing you can do is guess.

Get clarity early.

If you're looking at your score and feeling unsure, I’m happy to review your credit report with you, go through any concerns, and help you plan the best route forward.

Just get in touch and we can walk through it together.