What credit score do you need to get a mortgage in the UK?

Your credit score can have a big impact on buying a home, but you don’t need a ‘magic’ number to get a mortgage.

A healthy credit score can improve your chances of being approved and help you access better mortgage rates. But lenders don’t look at your score alone. They consider your income, deposit, affordability and overall credit history too.

‍Here’s what you need to know:

• There’s no fixed minimum credit score to buy a house in the UK. Each lender sets its own criteria and looks at your individual finances
  

• A higher credit score improves your chances of mortgage approval
  

• Lenders review your full financial profile, including income, deposit, and affordability
  

• You may still get a mortgage with low or no credit, but it can be harder or more expensive
  

• Improving your credit score can help you access better mortgage deals
  

How does your credit score affect your mortgage?

Your credit score can influence whether you’re approved for a mortgage, but it also affects the kind of deal you’re offered. You’re more likely to be approved for mortgages with a “good” credit score. 

‘Excellent’ credit scores may unlock better mortgage deals and lower interest rates, as shown in the example below. A stronger credit score can not only improve your chances of approval, it can also reduce how much your mortgage costs over time:

The table above is for illustrative purposes only. It shows an example of how credit ratings can influence the interest rates lenders may offer on a mortgage. The figures do not guarantee the rate or savings you will receive. Rates vary significantly between lenders, are subject to change, and the difference between credit rating bands depends on individual circumstances.
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Here’s exactly how your credit history can affect your mortgage: 

• Approval chances: A weaker credit history can reduce your approval chances
  

• Interest rates: A stronger credit profile can help you access lower rates, meaning smaller monthly payments and less interest over time
  

• Deposits: You may only need a 5–10% deposit with a good or excellent score. Lower scores can mean needing a larger deposit of 20–30%
  

• Mortgage options: Better credit gives you access to more competitive deals, while lower scores may limit you to more specialised or expensive products
  

What is considered a good credit score for a mortgage?

Mortgage lenders won’t tell you if your credit score is good when you apply for a mortgage, but you can check the credit reference agencies (CRA) ranges to see how healthy it is. 

You’re more likely to be approved for mortgages with a “good” credit score.

What mortgage lenders look at besides your score

Many factors make for a successful mortgage application. Lenders look at:

• Your credit history: How you’ve managed credit over the past six years, including missed payments or defaults
  

• Your income and affordability: Your earnings, spending habits, and existing financial commitments
  

• Your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio: How much debt you have compared to your income
  

• Your employment status: Stable employment can improve your chances
  

• Your deposit size: A larger deposit can reduce how much you need to borrow and improve your options
  

• The property you want to buy: Lenders assess the property to understand the risk and value. We have more helpful support about valuations, if you need it
  

What is the minimum credit score for a mortgage?

There is no minimum credit score for a mortgage. Each lender has a different set of criteria to help them decide whether to give you a mortgage. They don’t release the exact criteria, but there are free mortgage calculators for you to explore your affordability.

Your credit report is a big part of their decision. Lenders use it to assess your ‘creditworthiness’ - which is your ability to repay debt. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to get a mortgage.

Your credit scores are generated by the top three credit reference agencies (CRAs) in the UK: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Lenders might only check with one agency, but your credit score should be healthy with all of them.

Lenders don’t rely on a single number. Instead, they look at your full financial picture, especially your track record of borrowing and repaying money over time.

Which credit score ratings will lenders look at when you buy a home?

Credit score ratings span ‘low’ to ‘excellent’, or you might see ‘poor’, ‘fair’ or ‘excellent’. Which word the CRAs use to describe your score depends on which one you check.

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders wouldn’t use the score rating alone. They look for the details and think about your whole report.

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit score ranges. Last reviewed in December 2025

If you’ve not checked your credit report before, head to our blog to find out how.

Can you get a mortgage with low or no credit history?

Yes, it’s still possible to get a mortgage with a low or no credit history. You might have no credit history if you’ve: 

• Only just turned 18
  

• Recently moved to the UK
  

• No bank account in this country
  

• No employment history
  

• No UK bills in your name
  

If you have little or no history (sometimes called a ‘thin file’), it may limit your mortgage options. You may only see high-interest-rate mortgages or lenders who ask for a large deposit.

How to build your credit before you apply for a mortgage

If you have no or a low credit score, try to improve it as much as you can. Everybody has to start somewhere. There are practical steps you can take to build your credit before applying for a mortgage.

Grow your credit history

Building a credit history is crucial, even if you're starting from scratch. You could apply for a credit card, become an authorised user on someone else's card to establish your credit. But be sure to make timely payments and maintain a low credit utilisation rate (which is how much of your available credit you’re using - try to keep it at less than 30%) to show potential lenders that you can be trusted to manage a mortgage.  

It can take time for your credit score to grow, so make a start. Use credit responsibly to avoid damaging your credit score. You can always rebuild if you make a mistake, but it will take more time to reach your goals.

‍You can find out more about credit cards and how they affect your credit score here.

 There are other ways to grow your credit score, too:

• Pay your bills on time
  

• Reduce your outstanding debts
  

• Avoid opening new credit accounts that you can’t afford
  

Over time, these efforts will all help increase your creditworthiness.

But if you’re looking to apply for a mortgage sooner than that, one of the quickest ways to grow your credit score is by getting started with Loqbox. 

If you don’t think you’ll be applying for a year or so, Loqbox could also help you build your credit as you save more for your deposit. 

‍Find out more about how it works here. 

‍Improvements to your credit score are not guaranteed.

Save more for your deposit

If your credit score isn’t as high as you would like, save more for a deposit to cover more of the property price. 

Deposits can significantly impact your mortgage options. Aim to save at least 10-20% of the house price, but check with different lenders to see how the size of the deposit impacts your mortgage.

Open a bank account and get on the electoral roll

When lenders carry out a credit check, they need to verify your identity. The more confident they are that you are who you say you are, the more likely they are to consider your application.

The quick way to prove your identity and to improve your credit score, is to open a bank account and get on the electoral roll. 

It’s hard to get a mortgage without a bank account in the UK. Choose the right account for you and open it in your name. 

The electoral roll is a list of everyone who is eligible to vote in the UK. Lenders use it to check your identity. Register to vote here, or if you’re unable to, contact the credit reference agencies to add a note to your credit file to explain why.

Seek professional advice if you’re buying your first home

Shop around for mortgage brokers and advisors to get expert guidance specific to you. 

Not all brokers charge a fee (they might take commission from the mortgage deal), and they can help you navigate the complex process of buying a home. They will know which lenders are likely to look at applications with low or no credit history, so make the most of their help.

Bad credit mortgages

If you’re struggling with your credit or have little to no credit history, don’t panic. It is still possible to get a mortgage if you have bad credit.

Bad credit mortgages are often viewed as high risk, and the interest rate is usually much higher than a standard mortgage. If it gets your foot on the ladder, it might be the right product for you. Ask lots of questions, look at the fine print, and get support from an expert if you’re unsure. 

Increase your chance of success by improving your credit score ahead of your mortgage application. It will take several months at least, and for some, it can take years. But it is worth it for the better mortgage rates.

What can I do if I am declined for a mortgage because of my credit score?

If your application is declined, it can feel like a setback. But it’s also an opportunity to understand what lenders are looking for and improve your chances next time.

The mortgage you’ve been declined for is likely to have left a mark on your credit file when they ran a hard credit check. 

Too many hard checks over a six-month period can make your credit score drop (this is very normal though; every time you apply for credit, you’ll see a dip in your score).

But because a lower credit score could mean you’re offered less favourable interest rates on a mortgage, it’s a good idea to space out your applications and rebuild your score before taking a look at another lender.

The next lender may have different criteria, so you may be able to get a more favourable deal somewhere else. Otherwise, you could look at a specialist lender that can make mortgage offers to people with lower credit. Or you could start strengthening your credit report with Loqbox.

‍Improvements to your credit score are not guaranteed.