Adverse Credit Considered
Bridging Loans for Bad Credit
CCJs, defaults, arrears, IVAs and discharged bankruptcy — all considered case-by-case across our seven-lender UK panel. Bridging is far more flexible than mainstream mortgages on credit history, because the loan is secured against property and short-term by design.
Why bridging is more flexible on credit than mainstream lenders
Mainstream mortgage lenders pre-screen heavily on credit score. A single CCJ in the last six years is enough to decline most prime applications. Bridging is structured differently — the lender is taking security against property and underwriting a clear exit, so credit history is one factor among many rather than a gate.
For lenders on our panel, the underwriting priority order is typically: (1) property security and LTV, (2) exit strategy, (3) borrower experience and capability, (4) credit history. Adverse credit pushes the rate or LTV slightly less favourable but rarely disqualifies an otherwise sensible deal.
What makes the biggest difference: honest disclosure upfront. Trying to minimise or hide adverse credit guarantees a problem at underwriting. Bringing it openly to the application — with context for the cause and evidence of recovery — almost always produces a workable deal.
What adverse situations we cover
- • County Court Judgments (CCJs) — satisfied or unsatisfied
- • Defaults on credit accounts
- • Mortgage or loan arrears (current or historic)
- • Active or discharged IVAs
- • Discharged bankruptcy (typically 12+ months post-discharge)
- • Missed payments and short adverse history
- • Limited or no credit footprint (thin file)
- • Foreign nationals with adverse credit
What affects your rate and approval
Severity and recency of adverse
A satisfied CCJ from 4 years ago has minimal impact. An unsatisfied default from 6 months ago is a much bigger underwriting question — but still doesn't stop the deal at low LTV.
Loan-to-value (LTV)
Lower LTV is the single most powerful lever. A 50% LTV bridge against a £400k property is much easier to underwrite with adverse credit than a 75% LTV bridge against the same property.
Exit strategy strength
A confirmed sale (with exchange) or a binding mortgage offer is much stronger than 'we'll list it on the open market'. Strong exit reduces lender risk regardless of borrower credit.
Property type and condition
Standard residential is easiest. Commercial, mixed-use, HMOs, and properties in poor condition narrow the lender pool, particularly with adverse credit on top.
Cause and context
A one-off life event (divorce, illness, redundancy) is materially different from a pattern of repeated missed payments. Documentation of the cause helps.
Current financial stability
Recent bank statements showing income coming in and bills being paid normally — even if old adverse credit shows on the file — make a real difference to the underwriter's view.
Adverse-credit-friendly lenders on our panel
Three of our seven panel lenders explicitly cover adverse credit cases. The right pick depends on your specific scenario — we'll match you.
MT Finance
Explicitly accepts CCJs and arrears. LTD companies, ex-pats, offshore borrowers all eligible. Same-day DIPs typical.
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Greenfield
Light adverse considered at low LTV. Boutique service with direct underwriter access. Heavy adverse not generally considered.
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Masthaven
All credit profiles considered on most products (Specialist range). Re-bridges, debt consolidation, and short leases all eligible.
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Common questions
Can I get a bridging loan with a CCJ?
Yes. Most of the lenders on our panel — including MT Finance, Greenfield, and Aspen — consider applications with CCJs. Recent unsatisfied CCJs typically attract a small rate uplift (0.10-0.20% per month) or a slightly lower maximum LTV; satisfied CCJs over 3 years old usually have minimal pricing impact.
What about defaults or arrears?
Defaults and arrears are both considered case-by-case across our panel. The lender wants to understand the cause — a one-off life event (illness, redundancy, divorce) is much easier to underwrite than a pattern of recent missed payments. Honest disclosure upfront, with current bank statements showing financial stability, gets a better outcome than trying to minimise the issue.
Will an IVA stop me getting a bridge?
An active IVA is challenging — most lenders will decline while it's running. A discharged IVA over 12-24 months ago is acceptable to several lenders on our panel, particularly with a low LTV and a clear exit strategy. Bring the IVA discharge certificate to your application.
Can I bridge after bankruptcy?
Yes, after discharge. Most lenders want to see at least 12 months between discharge and application; some want longer. The deal needs to make sense (sensible LTV, strong exit strategy, ability to service or repay) but bankruptcy alone isn't an automatic disqualification.
Will adverse credit affect my rate?
Some, but less than you might expect. Bridging lenders price more on property and exit strategy than on credit history, because the loan is secured against the property and is short-term. Expect a 0.10-0.30% per month rate uplift for moderate adverse credit, alongside a slightly tighter LTV cap.
Do you do hard credit checks?
Initial enquiries to our panel are soft-search only — they don't show on your credit file or affect your score. A hard search only happens once you progress to a formal application with a chosen lender, and only with your consent at that point.
Apply with adverse credit
Soft-search enquiry — no impact on your credit file. We match your situation against our seven-lender panel and tell you which products fit before you apply formally.