Credit problems can be set even the most financially savvy person. Debts and repayment issues might affect your ability to lend more money in the future and can impact the decisions of banks on whether they’ll allow you to remortgage your property. Remortgaging after a CCJ (county court judgement) can have repercussions, although it’s still possible. 

To jump through the hoops you’ll be presented with, you need to prepare your remortgage application meticulously and make sure you’re aware of what the banks will ask you. Read on as we highlight the steps you can take to organise your credit report in the run-up to your remortgage application. 

What Is a CCJ (County Court Judgement)?

A CCJ (county court judgement) is issued against you by a creditor in an attempt to reclaim funds you have failed to pay. Depending on the judgement from the court, you may be offered the chance to settle the debt within 30 days. Should you repay the money, you can apply to the Register of Judgements and Fines where the CCJ will be wiped from the public register and your credit file. If you are unable to repay the debt in the time given, the CCJ will stay on your record for 6 years. This will impact your ability to apply for credit, including remortgaging your property.

Can You Remortgage with a CCJ?

The short answer is yes, but it’s going to be more challenging. Recently, more lenders have been prepared to offer mortgage products to applicants with CCJs on their credit file. There are some lenders out there who specialise in securing remortgages for those with adverse credit too, but you will need to do your research to find out which lenders are more open to these types of applications. Our Bad Credit and Your Mortgage Options Guide may be helpful.

If you’re able to pay off the debt before the 30-day deadline, the CCJ might not even be on your record anymore, leaving you free to apply for a remortgage without facing any issues. If it still is, and you have repaid the debt, you can pay £15 to the credit agencies and get a ‘notice of correction’ to your report. This will maximise your chances of remortgaging as evidence of the potential CCJ will be eradicated.

If you’re applying for a remortgage once the 6-year expiration date for the CCJ has passed, it should automatically be expunged from your credit file, leaving you free to apply for a remortgage without any issues.

If you’re attempting to remortgage when the CCJ is still applied to your credit file, you will need to work harder to secure a new mortgage product. Whilst more lenders are willing to offer remortgages to borrowers with CCJs, they’ll still want to investigate it. Some will only be interested in when it was applied, and others will want to know why. A lender might want to know whether your CCJ was linked to a previous mortgage or your property. They might also be interested in finding out whether you have a history of managing credit poorly or whether you have taken steps to improve this over time. 

Can I Still Remortgage If I Have a Judgement in Default?

A judgement in default is a CCJ that has been applied to your credit report without you being in attendance at court. 

If you do have an existing ‘judgement in default’ CCJ, you’re going to find yourself paying higher interest rates on your home loan.

To give lenders an opportunity to see that you’re managing your credit more successfully, ensure that you’re not regularly applying for credit and that you’re in receipt of a steady regular income.

Does the Size of the CCJ Impact My Chance of Remortgaging?

The time that has passed since the CCJ was applied is perhaps the most important factor, but the amount of the debt is still an issue. For a CCJ that has been awarded within the last 12 months, the debt will need to be less than £3,000 for a lender to be more lenient when considering your application. If the CCJ was awarded for a mis-payment greater than £2,500 and it was within the last couple of years, it’ll significantly impact on your chance of being awarded a remortgage by a mainstream lender. 

The other aspect of your CCJ that will be of interest to the prospective lender is whether the CCJ is satisfied or not. That means the debt has been cleared. If the debt is cleared, remortgaging will be less complicated.

Who Can Help Me Remortgage with a CCJ?

If you find yourself in a position where you want to remortgage your property, you might want to acquaint yourself with a mortgage advisor. Here at John Charcol, we can help you search the market for a product that will suit your economic circumstances. An advisor can help you assess your finances and ensure you understand the implications of and terms of the mortgage before you proceed. We understand the complexities of remortgaging and can navigate you through the intricacies of remortgaging with a CCJ.

Making an application for a mortgage loan is not always going to be as easy if you have a CCJ, but it’s manageable. In circumstances such as these, you may find securing the services of a mortgage broker can help navigate you through the choppy waters. 

Call us today on 0330 433 2927 or request a call back, and an adviser will talk through all your options with you.

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There are many valid reasons to remortgage. If you’re considering remortgaging your home but need help finding the right option for you, contact John Charcol. Our team of experienced mortgage advisers can recommend a range of remortgage options to suit you. Request a call back or call us on 0330 433 2927 to get in touch.

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