Can I Get a Mortgage After Bankruptcy?

Yes, a mortgage after bankruptcy is possible

If you have been through bankruptcy, you may feel that homeownership is no longer an option. That is not the case. Bankruptcy is a legal process designed to give people a fresh start, and the mortgage market reflects that. Once you are discharged, lenders can and do consider your application.

The path depends primarily on how long ago you were discharged and what your credit behaviour has looked like since. Some specialist lenders will consider applications as soon as you are discharged. Most mainstream lenders require 6 years. But the important thing is that options exist at every stage of the journey.

This page sets out the real criteria that UK lenders use, so you can understand where you stand and what steps will improve your position.

The discharge timeline — when options open up

Bankruptcy in England and Wales is typically discharged automatically after 12 months. The clock for mortgage lenders starts from your discharge date, not the date of the original bankruptcy order. Here is how your options change over time:

• 0-1 year after discharge — Very few options. Bluestone is one of the only lenders that will consider applications from applicants with recently discharged bankruptcy, though rates will be significantly higher and a substantial deposit is required.
• 1-3 years after discharge — A small number of specialist lenders and building societies become available. Bath Building Society offers a Credit Repair product from 3 years post- discharge. Family Building Society considers BTL applications from 3 years.
• 3-6 years after discharge — Options expand meaningfully. Saffron Building Society accepts BTL applications from 5 years. More specialist lenders become willing to offer competitive rates as the discharge date recedes.
• 6+ years after discharge — The majority of lenders come into scope, including Accord, Atom Bank, Beverley Building Society, Hodge, Kensington, and Precise. If your credit file is clean since discharge, you may be able to access near- mainstream rates.

Bankruptcy drops off your credit file 6 years after the bankruptcy order date. Because discharge usually happens 12 months after the order, the bankruptcy typically disappears from your credit file around 5 years after discharge.

How lenders assess bankruptcy

When considering an applicant with a bankruptcy history, lenders focus on several key factors:

• Discharge date — The most critical factor. Every lender has a minimum period since discharge before they will consider an application. This ranges from immediate (Bluestone) to 6 years (most mainstream and many specialist lenders).
• Time since the bankruptcy order — Some lenders, like Kensington, require the bankruptcy to have commenced 6+ years ago, not just been discharged 6+ years ago. This is an important distinction.
• Credit behaviour since discharge — Lenders want to see that you have rebuilt your credit responsibly. A clean payment record since discharge is essential. Any new adverse credit after bankruptcy will make your application significantly harder.
• Whether it is fully discharged — An undischarged bankrupt cannot get a mortgage from any regulated UK lender. You must be formally discharged before applying.
• Deposit size — A larger deposit reduces the lender's risk and is one of the strongest ways to improve your chances. Most lenders require at least 15-25% deposit for applicants with a bankruptcy history.

Lender criteria comparison

The table below shows how major UK lenders assess applications from people with a bankruptcy history. All lenders require the bankruptcy to be fully discharged.

Criteria shown are indicative and subject to change. Always verify current lender criteria before applying.

Deposit requirements

After bankruptcy, you should expect to need a larger deposit than a standard applicant. This is one of the most practical things you can focus on while waiting for the discharge period to pass.

• Minimum 15% — Some specialist lenders will consider 85% LTV for applicants with discharged bankruptcy, particularly if the discharge was over 6 years ago and the credit file is otherwise clean.
• Typically 20-25% — For most applicants within 3-6 years of discharge, a deposit of 20-25% is realistic. This range gives you access to a reasonable selection of specialist lenders and better interest rates.
• Higher deposits unlock better rates — Even after the 6-year mark, a deposit of 25% or more will give you access to the most competitive rates available for your circumstances. Every 5% of additional deposit makes a tangible difference.

If saving a large deposit feels difficult, remember that the years you spend building it are also years where the bankruptcy is moving further into the past, improving your position on both fronts simultaneously.

Rate expectations

You should expect to pay a higher interest rate than a standard applicant, particularly in the first 6 years after discharge. The exact rate depends on the lender, how long since discharge, your deposit size, and your credit behaviour since bankruptcy.

Bluestone, for example, applies a 1.00% rate loading for bankruptcy discharged within the last 6 years. Kensington and Precise use tier-based pricing where applicants with older, clean discharges are offered better rates.

After 6 years — when the bankruptcy drops off your credit file — rates can approach mainstream levels, especially with a clean credit record and a decent deposit. Many people who have been through bankruptcy find that once the 6-year mark passes, their mortgage options are much wider than they expected.

Steps to getting a mortgage after bankruptcy

Wherever you are in the post-discharge timeline, these steps will help you prepare for a successful mortgage application:

1. Get your discharge certificate — This is the single most important document. Every lender will require proof that your bankruptcy has been formally discharged. Contact the Insolvency Service if you do not already have it.
2. Rebuild your credit — Open a credit builder card or a basic bank account with an overdraft, use it for small regular purchases, and pay in full every month. This creates a positive payment history that lenders want to see. Even 12 months of clean credit activity makes a significant difference.
3. Check your credit file — Review your reports with all three agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). Make sure the bankruptcy is recorded correctly, the discharge date is accurate, and there are no errors on linked accounts. Dispute anything that is wrong.
4. Save your deposit — The larger the better. Aim for a minimum of 15%, but 20-25% will significantly improve your options. Every pound saved is working twice — building your deposit and demonstrating financial discipline.
5. Check lender criteria — Use our calculator to see which lenders match your specific situation. Criteria vary significantly between lenders, and applying to the wrong lender wastes time and leaves an unnecessary hard search on your credit file.
6. Use a specialist broker — A mortgage broker experienced with adverse credit can navigate the complexities of post-bankruptcy lending. They know which lenders are most flexible, how to present your case, and can often access products not available directly to consumers.

Frequently asked questions