Maximum Number of CCJs (Unsatisfied)

Mortgages with Unsatisfied CCJs: Maximum Numbers and Lender Criteria

Unsatisfied (unpaid) CCJs present significant mortgage challenges. Most mainstream lenders decline applications with unsettled CCJs, but specialist lenders do offer solutions depending on the number, value, and age of judgements.

Why Unsatisfied CCJs Are Problematic

Lender Concerns:

1. Active Debt: Outstanding liability poses ongoing risk
2. Payment Priority: Will you prioritise mortgage over CCJ creditors?
3. Affordability: CCJs suggest previous payment struggles
4. Legal Action: Creditors may pursue charging orders on property

Maximum Unsatisfied CCJs by Lender Type

Lender Category	Maximum Number	Maximum Total Value	LTV Limit	Typical Rate	Requirements
High Street Banks	0	£0	N/A	N/A	Decline all unsatisfied CCJs
Building Societies	0-1 (rare)	Under £500	75%	6.5-8%	Must be very small, very old
Specialist Lenders	1-2	£3,000-£5,000	75-80%	6.5-9%	Case-by-case, larger deposit
Bad Credit Specialists	2-4	£5,000-£10,000	70-75%	7-10%+	Repayment plan + large deposit
Sub-Prime Lenders	4-6+	£10,000+	65-70%	8-12%+	Very restricted, high rates

Key Acceptance Criteria

What Specialist Lenders Assess:

1. Number of CCJs: 1 vs 4 dramatically different
2. Total Value: Aggregate debt amount
3. Age: Registered 3 years ago vs 3 months ago
4. Repayment Plans: Active payment arrangements improve prospects
5. Deposit Size: 30%+ significantly helps
6. Clean Credit Since: No new missed payments

Real-World Scenarios

Single Small Unsatisfied CCJ Tom had 1 unsatisfied CCJ for £620 (parking fine dispute, 18 months old). With 25% deposit, a specialist lender offered 75% LTV at 7.1%, on condition he set up a £50/month repayment plan during mortgage term.

Two Moderate Unsatisfied CCJs Lisa had 2 unsatisfied CCJs (£1,400 and £2,200, both 2 years old) following redundancy. Now re-employed with 30% deposit, a bad credit specialist provided 70% LTV at 8.3% after she demonstrated 12 months' clean payments.

Multiple Unsatisfied CCJs - Declined James had 5 unsatisfied CCJs totaling £8,500 (1-3 years old). Despite 35% deposit and good income, all lenders declined. Advice: satisfy at least 3 CCJs, wait 6 months, then reapply (expected 65% LTV, 9-10% rates).

Satisfaction vs Keeping CCJs Unsatisfied

Should You Satisfy Before Applying?

Scenario	Recommendation	Reasoning
Single CCJ under £1,000	Satisfy it	Opens 10x more lenders, reduces rate 1-2%
Multiple CCJs, can satisfy all	Satisfy all	Transforms application, much better rates
Multiple CCJs, can only satisfy some	Satisfy largest ones	Reduces total outstanding, helps affordability
CCJ under dispute	Keep evidence	Legal dispute may excuse non-payment
Very old CCJs (4-5 years)	Consider waiting	Falls off credit file at 6 years anyway

Repayment Plans and Arrangements

Lender View of Active Repayment:

• No Plan: Viewed as ignoring debt (worst)
• £10-20/month Token Payment: Shows willingness, minimal affordability impact
• £50-100/month Plan: Demonstrates responsibility, but reduces mortgage affordability
• DMP (Debt Management Plan): Structured approach, lenders more comfortable

Impact on Affordability: £50/month CCJ repayment = reduces mortgage borrowing by ~£12,000 (at 4.5x multiplier)

Timeline Impact on Acceptance

Unsatisfied CCJ Age:

• 0-6 months: Extremely difficult, 65-70% LTV, 9-12% rates
• 6-12 months: Very limited, 70-75% LTV, 8-10% rates
• 12-24 months: Specialist lenders, 70-80% LTV, 7-9% rates
• 24-36 months: More options, 75-80% LTV, 6.5-8% rates
• 36+ months: Approaching 6-year drop-off, 75-85% LTV, 6-7.5% rates

Expert Tips

1. Satisfy If Possible: Even satisfying 1-2 weeks before application helps significantly
2. Set Up Repayment Plans: Shows creditors you're addressing debt
3. Larger Deposits Essential: 30%+ deposit opens otherwise closed doors
4. Don't Hide CCJs: Lenders find them; dishonesty leads to instant decline
5. Use Specialist Advisers: Vital for unsatisfied CCJs - they know the niche lenders
6. Consider Bridging Finance: Short-term bridge loan to satisfy CCJs, then remortgage

Charging Orders Risk

What is a Charging Order? Creditors can apply for a charging order on your property, securing their debt against your home.

Lender Concerns:

• Priority: Charging order may rank ahead of mortgage
• Sale Risk: Creditor could force sale
• Equity: Reduces your available equity

Impact: Properties with charging orders face very limited mortgage options (60-65% LTV maximum).

Documentation Requirements

Lenders Will Request:

1. Credit Report: Full details of all CCJs
2. Repayment Plans: Evidence of payment arrangements
3. Explanation Letter: Detailed account of circumstances
4. Bank Statements: 12 months showing improved money management
5. Income Proof: Demonstrating ability to afford mortgage + CCJ payments
6. Large Deposit: Proof of 25-35% deposit

Bridging to Satisfy CCJs

Strategy: Short-term bridging loan to satisfy CCJs, then remortgage to mainstream

Example:

• Outstanding CCJs: £5,000
• Take 6-month bridge loan: £5,000 + deposit top-up
• Satisfy all CCJs
• After 3-6 months, remortgage to standard lender at much better rate

Cost: Bridge interest (0.5-1.5%/month) vs 2-3% higher mortgage rate over 25 years = significant long-term savings

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get a mortgage with 3 unsatisfied CCJs? A: Very difficult. Bad credit specialists may consider if total value under £3,000, aged 2+ years, with 30%+ deposit. Rates 8-10%+.

Q: Should I settle my CCJs before applying? A: Almost always yes. Settling transforms your application, opening 5-10x more lenders and reducing rates by 1-3%.

Q: What if I'm in a DMP with unsatisfied CCJs? A: Some specialists accept ongoing DMPs. Expect 70-75% LTV, 7-9% rates, and lender may require DMP continues.

Q: Can I dispute a CCJ to get a mortgage? A: If genuinely disputed with legal evidence, lenders more sympathetic. But most still decline until resolved.

Q: Will unsatisfied CCJs stop me buying forever? A: No. Satisfy them (even in installments), wait 6-12 months, and specialist lenders will consider you.

How We Can Help

We specialise in complex adverse credit:

• Access to 20+ unsatisfied CCJ specialists
• Bridging finance options to satisfy CCJs quickly
• Repayment plan guidance to strengthen applications
• Fee-free consultations

Next Steps

1. List all unsatisfied CCJs: Number, value, age
2. Assess satisfaction options: Can you pay any off?
3. Calculate deposit: Aim for 30%+ if CCJs remaining unsatisfied
4. Contact us: Honest assessment of options

Unsatisfied CCJs blocking your mortgage? Our specialists find solutions where others can't - contact us for realistic, expert advice.