How long do missed payments stay on my credit file?

Missed payments remain on your credit file for 6 years from the date they were recorded. Each missed payment is listed separately, so if you had several, they'll drop off at different times over that 6-year period.

Is one missed payment going to affect my mortgage application?

One isolated missed payment from over 2 years ago rarely causes problems with mainstream lenders. Recent missed payments (within 12 months) are more concerning. Patterns of multiple missed payments will limit your options more.

Are missed mortgage payments worse than credit card late payments?

Yes, missed mortgage payments are viewed more seriously than credit card or utility late payments. A missed mortgage payment shows difficulty managing your largest financial commitment, which concerns lenders about future repayments.

How do I explain missed payments to a lender?

If there were extenuating circumstances (illness, redundancy, divorce), prepare a written explanation. Lenders are often understanding of one-off situations, especially if you've maintained a clean record since then.

Quick Answer

Can I Get a Mortgage with Missed Payments?

Last reviewed: December 2025

Reviewed by Jay Sabine – CeMAP Qualified – 29 years experience

Yes, you can get a mortgage with missed payments in your history, though recent missed payments have more impact than older ones.

Lenders view missed payments (also called late payments or arrears) on a scale of severity. One or two missed payments from several years ago may be overlooked by many lenders. Multiple recent missed payments, especially on existing mortgage or secured lending, will require specialist lender consideration and typically higher deposits.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Your Home Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA 989177).

Key Points

11-2 missed payments over 2 years ago rarely affect applications
2Missed mortgage payments are more serious than credit card late payments
3Recent missed payments (within 12 months) significantly limit options
4Patterns of missed payments are worse than isolated incidents
5Being up to date now is essential for approval
6Some lenders ignore missed payments under £100

Eligibility Criteria

Preferably no missed payments in the last 12 months
Currently up to date on all credit commitments
Explanation for historical missed payments helpful
Minimum 10% deposit (15%+ if recent missed payments)
Stable income and employment
No ongoing payment difficulties

Typical Timeframe

Missed payments show on your credit file for 6 years. Each missed payment is recorded separately. The impact reduces over time, with payments older than 2-3 years having minimal effect on most applications.

Next Steps

1Review your credit file to identify all missed payments
2Ensure all current accounts are fully up to date
3Set up direct debits to prevent future missed payments
4Build 6-12 months of clean payment history if possible
5Consult a specialist broker who can match you with appropriate lenders

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Can I Get a Mortgage with Missed Payments?

Key Points

Eligibility Criteria

Typical Timeframe

Next Steps

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