Mortgage Declined Due To Late Payment

Late payments are different from missed payments or arrears. Simply put, a late payment is one that you did make but not promptly. Knowing the difference will make it easier for you to comprehend how it impacts your credit report.

The good news is that you can still get a mortgage with late payments; you just need to find the right lender who will consider your case individually.

You’ll learn everything you need to know about applying for a mortgage with late payments on your credit report in this guide, along with helpful advice on how to increase your chances of getting approved.

Can I get a mortgage with late payments?

Yes, you can get a mortgage with late payments. It will be more difficult than if you had a better credit history, but all you have to do is find the right lender who can take a close look at your unique situation.

There is a distinction between failing to pay on time and forgetting to do so.

Imagine that you owe a minimum payment on your credit card that was due on the 7th of the month, but you pay it on the 14th instead, which is seven days past due. The fact that the payment was made before the subsequent one became due ensures that your credit card company won’t mark this as being past due in the majority of cases. Only if the balance is unpaid 30 days after the payment is due can a creditor file a late payment report.

Lenders want to know why payments are late, when they occurred, and how much money was at stake. Additionally, they’ll consider what actions you’ve taken since to enhance your financial situation.

Lending criteria differs between mortgage companies. If you have a history of late payments, some high street banks may not accept you, but there are specialty lenders who will. Specialist lenders will consider your unique situation and repayment capacity.

Most of the time, only specialized mortgage brokers can access specialty lenders. The brokers we work with have experienced everything, and they don’t pass judgment. They’ll be there the entire time to assist you and provide you with advice based on their extensive knowledge and experience of the specialty mortgage market. A broker can outline your options, identify the lender who will likely accept you, and improve the appearance of your application.

Make an inquiry to learn about your options if you need a mortgage but are hesitant to apply because of a history of missed payments.

What’s the difference between late payments, missed payments, arrears and defaults?

Late payment: When you pay your bill after the due date. It’s recorded on your credit file as a ‘late payment’

Missed payment: When you haven’t paid the bill yet.

Default: When you miss more than one payment on the same account.

Arrears: When you owe money. For example, your account will be ‘in arrears’ of the amount of money you owe.

Secured vs unsecured late payments

Theres two different types of late payments: secured and unsecured. Each affects your credit report differently.

Unsecured credit agreements are those where your debt is not protected by anything you own. Such as credit cards, overdrafts, loans and mobile phone contracts.

Credit agreements that are secured against an asset, like your home for a mortgage or your car payments, are known as secured late payments. If you do not make your repayments as agreed, a creditor may take this asset from you.

Unsecured late payments are typically seen by lenders as less serious than secured late payments.

How long do late payments stay on my credit file?

Six years pass after a late payment appears on your credit report. It then drops off the record. Only after 30 days have passed since the due date can a late payment be reported. If you miss a payment by a few days, your credit report won’t reflect it.

You can get in touch with the business with which you have the account and request that any late payments that were accidentally added to your file be deleted. They might take it down for you if you explain why you paid later and have since made your payment in full.

Can a mortgage be declined because of late payments?

Late payments are disliked by lenders because they indicate poor money management. If you have late payments on your credit report, some major banks might reject you. If you don’t have any other credit problems on your record, you might still be able to find a high street lender willing to approve your application because the older the late payment, the less weight it carries.

If you make multiple late payments on time, your credit score declines. A lender will consider the amount of the late payments and when they occurred. It will be more difficult to get accepted if your recent late payments total a large sum of money. You may be required to make a larger down payment or pay a higher interest rate. The older your late payments, the more options you’ll have.

It’s best to speak to a mortgage broker who specializes in bad credit if you need a mortgage but have late payments on your credit report. Our mortgage specialists will outline your options, improve the quality of your application, and locate the lender most likely to approve you. Get started by making an enquiry.

Does missing one payment affect your credit score?

Missing a payment can lower your credit score because paying bills on time is one of the biggest factors influencing your credit rating. Payments that are over 30 days past due will appear on your credit report for six years, and lenders will be able to see them. Like all credit problems, they become less significant as they age. When requesting a loan, credit card, or mortgage, having an acceptable justification for the late payment can be helpful. What Credit Score Do I Need to Get a Mortgage? has more information.

What happens if I miss a mortgage payment?

A single missed payment may not be a disaster. Your credit score might be impacted, but the best course of action is to speak with your lender so they are aware of and comprehend your circumstance. Dont ignore it!.

Once you’ve informed your lender, you’ll have one to two weeks of grace to make the payment. In addition to the regular mortgage payment, a late fee will be assessed, so be sure to pay it.

After 90 days if you still haven’t made your payments, your account will be marked as defaulted. Its at this point that talks of repossession might happen. There will be opportunities to discuss options and obtain financial advice prior to repossession because that is always a last resort. Your mortgage lender will probably offer suggestions and solutions because they would rather have you make your payments than foreclose on your home. Make sure to notify your lender as soon as you can if you anticipate having trouble making payments.

Getting a mortgage after arrears

Due to the possibility of losing your home, skipping payments on significant accounts like a mortgage is typically an absolute last resort. Therefore, missed mortgage payments can present a negative impression to potential lenders as they signal a serious problem with your ability to make repayments.

One or two missed mortgage payments are unlikely to prevent you from being accepted again, but lenders will want to know the reason why and see that your credit report is otherwise in good standing. Timing is everything; the less impact an issue has the older it is.

Speak with a specialist mortgage broker who works with people with bad credit if you need a mortgage after previous mortgage arrears. Our Mortgage Experts have seen it all and aren’t judgemental. Make an enquiry to find out your options.

Can I make a mortgage payment on a credit card?

Most mortgage lenders dont accept credit card payments. If you have a Mastercard, you might be able to pay your mortgage using a money transfer card or payment processing service, but there will be a fee.

Life happens, and occasionally a rough few months can affect your finances. If you’re having trouble making your mortgage payments, you should seek financial advice because using credit cards to do so isn’t a responsible way to borrow money.

What are the most important factors when applying for a mortgage?

Mortgage lenders evaluate mortgage applicants using a variety of lending criteria. Generally, they’ll look at the following factors.

Income – your regular cash flow

Credit report – they’ll prefer a positive credit history

Assets – anything else which could give you financial stability

Deposit – how much you can put down up front

See What Lenders Look For in Mortgage Applicants for more information.

How can I improve my chances of getting a mortgage with late payments?

Applying for a mortgage can be challenging and stressful. There is always the possibility that you won’t be accepted, particularly if your credit report shows late payments. A good place to start is by assessing your situation and making some straightforward adjustments.

Check your credit reportYou can easily get a copy of your credit report from companies known as credit reference agencies. The three main ones are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. However, they differ in what they show you. So for a detailed and thorough overview of everything in your credit record, go to checkmyfile*. Checkmyfile shows you the information from all three credit checkers on the same report. And you can download your report for free with a 30 day trial. Look at your report in detail to see if everything looks correct. Sometimes mistakes are made, so get in touch with your creditors if something doesnt look right. Also make sure things like your name, address, date of birth, and other personal information are up to date. Itll affect your score if they arent.

Get on the electoral rollRegistering to vote at your current address makes it easier for lenders to prove your identity. Double check you’re registered with the correct information and this will work in your favour. Check if youre on the electoral roll here

Reduce the credit you’re usingUsing credit responsibly does wonders for your credit score. But you should make sure youre not using too much of the credit thats available to you. Maxing out your cards isnt ideal. Lenders will take into account how much of your outgoings goes towards paying credit card bills and loans each month as part of your affordability assessment.

Watch out for fraudstersUnfortunately, some cyber criminals take out loans or open up bank accounts in the names of other people. They don’t care about the hard work youve put into your credit rating and will run up huge bills in your name. When checking your credit report, make sure you recognise everything on there.

Make sure your name is on the billsIf you’re paying any household bills but your name isn’t on the account, it won’t be counting towards your credit score. Dont let your good work go unnoticed!

Space out credit applicationsDont apply for lots of credit applications in a short space of time. Each time you apply to borrow money, lenders will carry out what is known as a ‘hard search’ on your credit history which is then noted in your report. A hard search is when a lender looks in detail at your credit score and file and stays on your credit file for 12 months. Lenders view lots of hard searches in a short space of time as a sign youre struggling with your finances and need to borrow money. So if you do need credit, leave some time between applications.

Remove yourself from joint accounts you don’t needYour credit report will show your financial links you have to other people. If you’re linked to someone who has poor credit, this can negatively impact your score. If you’ve ever shared a joint account or credit card with someone else and you dont need to any more, it’s best to remove yourself if you can.

Check your credit score regularlyChecking your credit report on a regular basis is the best way to stay on top of any issues or errors that may come up. It’s also motivating when you can watch your score improve. Always check your credit report before you make any applications for credit. That way, you’ll see what a lender will see and youll know how likely you are to be accepted. This can help you avoid getting rejected for credit applications because that can damage your credit score.

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WE MAKE MORTGAGES POSSIBLE

Our mortgage experts are fully qualified and have experience with difficult loans, self-employment, and bad credit. They have a track record of successfully obtaining mortgages for applicants who have been turned down elsewhere.

It shouldn’t be difficult to apply for a mortgage or understand your options, but there are a lot of misconceptions floating around and it can be difficult to know who to turn to for the best guidance.

Our calculators help you get a ballpark figure for what you might be able to borrow, what’s affordable, and what kind of property prices you can start looking at.

Talk to our Mortgage Experts to find out your options

Talk to our Mortgage Experts to find out your options

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FAQ

Can a late payment stop you from getting a mortgage?

Late payments may cause lenders to reject your mortgage application, particularly if they happened within the previous year. If you otherwise have good credit and a compelling justification for the payment’s lateness, they might decide to ignore it.

How long do late payments affect getting a mortgage?

The world won’t end if you miss a mortgage payment, but there are consequences to consider, such as damage to your credit score: a late mortgage payment may appear on your credit report for up to seven years.

How many late payments can you have to qualify for a mortgage?

You cannot be approved for a mortgage under conventional loan guidelines if you had a 60, 90, 120, or 150 day late payment within the previous year.

How do I explain a late payment on a mortgage application?

1. It was out of your control that you were in the situation that resulted in your late payment.
2. The circumstances have changed, and your financial stability has returned.
3. The measures you are taking to ensure that any upcoming difficulty won’t affect your capacity to pay