The credit score you need for a mortgage depends on the lender, because no fixed minimum or number exists. Each lender runs its own bespoke scoring model, and that model looks well beyond the number on your credit app.
A higher score still helps. It tells a lender you have handled borrowing well, and that can open up more mortgage deals. But lenders also weigh your income, your outgoings, your deposit and the property itself.
Scores have also changed recently. Experian and TransUnion have both introduced new score ranges. Older guides that quote the old bands are now out of date. This guide uses the current figures and shows you where each one comes from.
Credit scores and mortgages: key figures at a glance
The table below pulls together the main numbers in this guide, each with its source and period.
| Figure | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experian Credit Score range | 0 to 1,250 | Gradual rollout from Autumn 2025 | Experian |
| Equifax Credit Score range | 0 to 1,000 | At the time of writing, October 2026 | Equifax |
| TransUnion new score range | 0 to 999 | Phased rollout, late September 2026 to June 2027 | TransUnion |
| Mortgage advances with a loan to value above 90% | 8.4% | Q2 2026 | FCA |
| Mortgage balances in arrears | 1.1% | Q2 2026 | FCA |
| Net mortgage approvals for house purchase | 54,900 | August 2026 | Bank of England |
What credit score do you need for a mortgage in the UK?
You do not need a set credit score to get a UK mortgage, because each lender judges risk in its own way. A score that one lender accepts may fall short at another.
TransUnion makes the same point in its announcement of the new score. It says the change does not affect lender decisions, and that the credit information behind your score stays the same. Lenders work from your credit report and apply their own rules to it.
So the useful question is not whether you have hit a magic number. It is whether your credit report shows a borrower who pays on time and can afford the loan. A mortgage broker can check which lenders suit your profile before you apply.
Find out your credit score
You can see what score you have been given by requesting this from the credit reference agencies.
They are:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion (previously Callcredit)
You have a legal right to access your credit report for free from any credit reference agency. These reports will provide a snapshot of your credit history but won’t include a credit score. For a monthly fee they will provide alerts and enhanced data.
Your Credit Report Explained
Your credit history is a continually updated summary of your credit based activities. It will include how much you have borrowed from each provider, along with any late payments or credit defaults.
This information is combined into a Credit Report. In our guide we run through what the report contains and how you can view the data to check that everything is accurate.
Credit score range: what is a good credit score for a mortgage?
What credit score is considered good depends on the agency. On Experian’s scale, 861 to 1,000 counts as Good, and the higher bands, Very Good and Excellent, give you even more choice.
Experian score bands
Experian began rolling out a new score range of 0 to 1,250 from Autumn 2025, replacing the old 0 to 999 range. These are the bands Experian publishes on its website at the time of writing:
| Experian band | Score range | What it can mean |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 1,121 to 1,250 | You should be able to get the best credit cards, loans and mortgages, but nothing is guaranteed |
| Very Good | 1,001 to 1,120 | You should get most products, though maybe not the best deals |
| Good | 861 to 1,000 | You should see a wide choice, but you may pay a little more interest |
| Fair | 641 to 860 | Your choice may be limited, with higher interest and lower borrowing limits |
| Low | 0 to 640 | Borrowing may be difficult and interest could be high |
Equifax and TransUnion scores
Equifax and TransUnion use different scales and bands.
Equifax says its score runs from 0 to 1,000 at the time of writing. It also notes on its credit score ranges page that agencies rate scores on different scales, so you might score 700 on one and 500 on another from the same information. TransUnion has announced a new 0 to 999 score, which is being rolled out in phases from late September 2026 until June 2027.
This means you cannot compare numbers across agencies. Check each agency’s own band table, and look at where your score sits within it. If you want a wider view of what sits behind the number, our guide to the credit report explains each section.
CONTACT A MORTGAGE BROKER
If you are ready to take the next step then we can put you in touch with a fully qualified independent mortgage broker.
What do mortgage lenders look at besides your credit score?
Lenders look at your credit history, your application and their own records, then run affordability checks on top. Your income, spending, debts and deposit all count.
Lenders can apply a mortgage stress test to see whether you could still pay if rates rose. They also look at your debt to income ratio. Job security, other commitments and bank statements feed into the decision too.
How your deposit affects the loan to value
Your deposit matters because it sets the loan to value, the size of the loan compared with the property’s price.
The FCA reported that 8.4% of gross mortgage advances in Q2 2026 had a loan to value above 90%, the highest share since 2008 Q2. So lenders do lend at high loan to value ratios, but each borrower still goes through credit and affordability checks.
For example, say you buy a £600,000 home. A 10% deposit of £60,000 means a £540,000 mortgage at 90% loan to value. A 25% deposit of £150,000 means a £450,000 mortgage at 75%.
The second borrower looks lower risk, which can help if your credit report has a few marks on it. Our mortgage deposit guide covers how much to save.
Can you get a mortgage with a low credit score?
Yes, you can sometimes get a mortgage with a low credit score, but your choice of lenders will usually be narrower. The outcome depends on what caused the low score and how recent it is.
A missed payment from years ago looks different from a recent default or a CCJ. A low score from a short credit history is different again from one caused by debt problems. A lender reading your report can see which of these applies.
Deposits and specialist lenders
Experian says people with bad credit often need a deposit of 15% to 25% of the property’s value, at the time of writing (October 2026). Specialist lenders may also charge more or offer fewer products. Our page on bad credit mortgage lenders explains the options.
If a lender has already said no, read what to do if your mortgage application is declined before you apply again.
A broker is useful here. Each application leaves a mark on your file, and applying to lenders one after another without checking their criteria first can hurt your chances.
What does a mortgage lender see on your credit report?
A lender sees your credit accounts, payment history, public records, searches and financial links. The credit reference agencies collect this from lenders and public sources.
Your report typically shows:
- whether you are on the electoral roll
- your open and closed credit accounts, such as loans, cards and mortgages
- late or missed payments and any defaults
- public records such as CCJs and IVAs
- recent credit searches
- anyone you share finances with, such as a joint account holder
The three main agencies are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and the ICO notes that they are licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority. Lenders may use one or all of them, which is why you should check all three.
How far back lenders look
Lenders look back about six years. Experian says it keeps credit account performance data for 6 years for live decision-making, then a further 5 years for statistical analysis, according to its retention table at the time of writing. Older problems carry less weight, but they can still affect how a lender sees you.
If you have little or no credit history
If you have little or no history, you may have a thin credit file. Having no credit history makes it harder for lenders to assess you, because they don’t have much information to go on.
Does applying for a mortgage affect your credit score?
Applying for a mortgage can affect your score, because the lender runs a hard credit search when you apply. Experian says this can have a small, temporary impact, but too many hard searches close together can harm your score.
A mortgage in principle may use a soft search or a hard search, depending on the lender, Experian adds. A soft search does not affect your score, while a hard search leaves a mark on your credit report. Check which type of search the lender or broker will use before you apply. Our guide to an Agreement in Principle explains what to expect.
Experian also says hard search footprints, which lenders can see, are kept for one year for live decision-making. A soft credit search is visible only to you. Checking your own score is a soft search and will not harm it.
How can you improve your credit score before applying?
You improve your score by paying on time, keeping balances low and fixing errors on your report.
Small, steady changes add up, and they can take a few months to show.
- Register to vote. Being on the electoral roll helps lenders confirm who you are and where you live.
- Pay every bill on time. Set up direct debits so each payment goes out on time, including phone and utility bills.
- Keep balances low. Experian suggests keeping balances at 25% or less of each limit where you can.
- Avoid new credit before you apply. Experian advises against applying for credit in the six months before a mortgage application.
- Reduce existing debts. A debt consolidation plan may help if you cannot manage your outgoings.
- Check your report for errors. Ask the lender or the agency to correct anything wrong, and keep copies of your letters.
- Build a history if you have none. A credit builder card, used for small purchases and paid off in full each month, creates a positive record.
- Skip payday loans. A payday loan can signal money trouble to a lender.
Avoiding new credit (step 4) and building a history (step 7) pull against each other. If you need a credit builder card, open it well before the six-month window, because each credit application leaves a hard search on your report. A short record may still leave you with a thin file, so ask a broker how the lenders you have in mind treat it.
If you share finances with someone
If you share finances with someone, their record can affect yours. If you are applying jointly, read our guide to a joint mortgage when one person has bad credit.
How do you check your credit score and credit report?
You can check your credit report for free, and Experian and Equifax both offer a free credit score. For a report, ask for a statutory credit report from each agency.
The ICO says you have the right to request the information held about you from any of the agencies, and that requests are free of charge. It adds that you should look for the phrase “statutory report” on their websites, because you do not need to pay for it.
A statutory report shows your credit history. Scores usually come from separate services, such as the free Experian score and the Equifax score.
Check all three agencies if you can. Each has its own scoring system and your score will differ between them. What matters most is what is on the report. Wrong addresses, accounts that are not yours and missing information can all pull a score down.
Why first-time buyers should check early
You can show payslips or savings statements to prove your income and deposit. Only your credit reports show where you stand on credit, and first-time buyers have no mortgage history to point to, only unsecured credit acconts. Our guide for first time buyers has more on preparing.
Why speak to a mortgage broker before you apply?
A broker knows which lenders suit different credit profiles. That helps you avoid applications that are likely to fail. They can also tell you whether a lender uses a soft or hard search first.
Your credit score is one part of a bigger picture. Getting mortgage ready means checking your credit reports, saving a deposit and gathering your documents before you apply.
If you want to move forward, contact a mortgage broker and we can introduce you to an independent, whole-of-market mortgage broker. Respect Mortgages is not authorised by the FCA. We cannot arrange a mortgage or give advice ourselves. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
About six years. That is how long Experian keeps credit account performance data for live decision-making, and it holds the data for a further 5 years for statistical analysis. A recent missed payment will usually count for more than an older one.
No. Each lender has its own internal scoring model and risk appetite. A score one lender accepts may be too low for another, and your income, deposit and the property carry weight alongside your credit report. A broker can match you to a lender whose criteria fit your profile.
It depends on the lender. Experian says some use a soft search, which does not affect your score, and others use a hard search, which can leave a mark on your report. Ask before you apply. Your broker can tell you which type applies before you give consent.
Lenders may use one agency or all three, alongside their own scoring model. Checking Equifax, Experian and TransUnion gives you the fullest picture of what they may see. Your scores can differ between the three, and that is normal because each agency uses its own scale.
Contact the lender that supplied the information, or the agency showing the error. The ICO says an entry carrying a company’s name is usually that company’s responsibility, and the agency cannot change it without the company’s permission. Keep copies of any letters and emails you send.
Yes, it helps lenders confirm your identity and address. Without it, a lender may struggle to verify your details, which can slow or block an application. You can register through GOV.UK at the address where you live, and update your details if you move.
