Quick Answer

Can I Get a Mortgage with Missed Payments?

Reviewed by Jay Sabine – CeMAP, Cert CII (MP) – 29 years experience
CeMAP Professional - The London Institute of Banking & FinanceCert CII Member - Chartered Insurance Institute

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

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

Why This Matters for Your Mortgage

Understanding these details helps you make informed decisions during the mortgage process. Every element of your application—from deposits to documentation—affects your approval chances and the rates you can access.

Lenders assess applications holistically, weighing multiple factors together. Knowing what they look for allows you to present the strongest possible application. This is particularly important for non-standard situations where lender criteria varies significantly.

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Related Questions

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For more detailed information about this topic, visit our comprehensive guide:

Bad Credit Mortgages
CeMAP Professional - The London Institute of Banking & FinanceCert CII Member - Chartered Insurance Institute
Jay Sabine
CeMAP, Cert CII (MP)
29 Years Experience

Content reviewed: January 2026

CeMAP awarded by The London Institute of Banking & Finance. Cert CII (MP) awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

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How Long Do Missed Payments Stay on Your Credit Report?

Missed payments remain on your credit file for 6 years from the date they were recorded. Each payment is tracked individually, meaning if you had several missed payments over time, they'll drop off at different dates as each reaches its 6-year anniversary. For a complete breakdown of timelines and the impact on your mortgage options, see our guide to missed payments on your credit report.

Missed Payments and Your Credit Score

A missed payment causes your credit score to drop, with the severity depending on recency and frequency. A single missed payment from 3 years ago has minimal impact, while multiple recent missed payments significantly damage your score. Missed mortgage payments are viewed most seriously, followed by secured loans, unsecured credit, and utilities.

What If I Accidentally Missed a Payment?

If you accidentally missed a payment due to a direct debit issue or oversight, act quickly. Pay immediately if you can - some creditors only report after 30 days late. If already recorded, you may be able to dispute it with evidence or add a notice of correction explaining the circumstances. Lenders often show understanding for one-off accidents in otherwise clean credit histories.

Mortgage Lenders That Accept Missed Payments

Many mortgage lenders consider applications from borrowers with missed payments. High street lenders typically require a clean 12-month payment history. Near-prime lenders may accept 1-2 missed payments in the last year. Specialist adverse credit lenders work with more complex payment histories. A specialist mortgage broker can match your specific situation to the right lender - visit our complete missed payments mortgage guide for more details.