Can I remortgage if I have credit issues?

It’s important to make sure your credit history is as clean as can be before applying for a remortgage as it will affect your chance of securing a good remortgage deal, or any deal at all. Lenders need to know that you’re sensible with your money and can afford to make repayments on your home loan.

If your credit history isn’t blemish-free, don’t give up hope. There’s bad credit and then there’s really bad credit. A missed mobile phone payment a few years ago means you’re far less of a risk to lenders than if you have county court judgements, say.

In the UK, there are several credit reference agencies (CRAs) such as Experian, Equifax, and each will hold a file on you called a credit report. Check as many as possible before applying (some are free, and the most any will cost you is £2), address any mistakes and cancel any unused credit cards that show up.