Missing payments can leave you feeling as though home ownership has moved further away, especially if you have already been turned down once. The short answer to can I get mortgage after arrears is yes, in some cases you can – but the outcome depends on what the arrears were for, how recent they were, and what the rest of your application looks like.
Arrears do not all carry the same weight with lenders. A couple of missed mobile phone payments from two years ago will usually be viewed very differently from recent mortgage arrears or a string of missed credit commitments across several accounts. That is why this is rarely a simple yes or no question.
Can I get mortgage after arrears if the arrears are recent?
You may still be able to get a mortgage, but recent arrears make the choice of lender much more important. High street lenders often rely heavily on automated credit scoring and may decline quickly where missed payments are recent or still outstanding. Specialist lenders tend to look more closely at the full picture and may be prepared to consider an application if there is a sensible explanation and the rest of the case is strong.
Timing matters because lenders usually place more concern on problems within the last 12 months than on older issues. If the arrears are very recent, some lenders may want to see a clean run of payments for six to twelve months before they will consider a case. Others may look sooner, but often with tighter criteria, a higher deposit requirement or a less competitive rate.
The more settled your finances are now, the better. If the arrears have been cleared, your conduct since then has been stable and you are no longer missing payments, that will usually help far more than simply waiting without making any real improvement.
What lenders look at after arrears
Lenders do not just look for the word arrears on a credit report and stop there. They want to understand severity, recency and pattern.
The first question is what type of account fell into arrears. Mortgage or secured loan arrears are usually taken more seriously than missed payments on a catalogue account or utility bill. Rent arrears can also raise concerns, particularly for first-time buyers, because they may suggest difficulty managing regular housing costs.
The second is how many payments were missed. One isolated late payment may be manageable. Ongoing arrears across several months, or across multiple accounts, suggest a broader affordability issue.
The third is whether the problem is now resolved. Cleared arrears are generally easier to place than active arrears. If balances remain overdue, many lenders will be cautious unless there is a clear repayment arrangement and the overall affordability remains sensible.
Finally, lenders look at the wider application. Income, deposit size, job stability, existing commitments and overall credit conduct all influence how the arrears are viewed. A borrower with one historic issue and otherwise strong financial management is very different from someone whose credit file still shows continued stress.
The type of arrears makes a big difference
This is where many borrowers get confused. Arrears is a broad term, but lenders separate cases quite carefully.
If the arrears were on unsecured credit such as loans, credit cards or mail order accounts, some lenders may still consider an application reasonably quickly once the accounts are up to date. If they were caused by a temporary issue such as illness, maternity leave or a short-term drop in income, and that situation has now passed, the case may be easier to explain.
Mortgage arrears are more sensitive. If you have previously fallen behind on a mortgage, lenders may want to know how far behind you were, when it happened and whether the property was ultimately maintained or repossessed. Even where the arrears are historic, fewer lenders are likely to consider the case.
Rent arrears can also matter, especially where bank statements show missed housing payments. Some lenders may not ask directly, but others will review your statements closely and pick this up during underwriting.
Tax arrears can create a separate issue for self-employed applicants. If you are behind with HMRC, some lenders will want the debt cleared before application, while others may accept a formal repayment arrangement if affordability is still comfortable.
Deposit, affordability and stability after arrears
A larger deposit can improve your options after arrears because it reduces the lender’s risk. Someone borrowing at 75% loan-to-value will usually have more choice than someone trying to borrow at 95%. That does not mean a mortgage is impossible with a smaller deposit, but the lender list may be shorter.
Affordability is just as important as credit history. If your monthly budget still looks stretched, the arrears may appear to be part of an ongoing problem rather than a past event. Lenders want to see that your income comfortably covers the proposed mortgage, your regular commitments and a reasonable buffer for future rate changes.
Stability also counts. Being in steady employment, having a consistent self-employed income, and keeping your bank account well run can all help strengthen a case. Underwriters often look for signs that the financial problems are behind you rather than still developing.
How to improve your position before applying
If you are asking can I get mortgage after arrears, the best next step is usually preparation rather than rushing into applications. Multiple declines can make the situation harder.
Start by checking your credit reports carefully. Make sure the arrears are recorded correctly, note the dates involved and identify whether any accounts still show as overdue when they should be marked as settled or up to date.
Then focus on current conduct. Pay every commitment on time, reduce unsecured balances where possible and avoid taking out unnecessary new credit before application. If you are on a payment plan with any creditor, keep that arrangement maintained consistently.
It also helps to build a clear explanation. Underwriters are more comfortable when there is a sensible story behind the arrears and evidence that the cause has been resolved. Redundancy followed by a return to stable employment is easier to place than unexplained ongoing missed payments.
If you are self-employed, keep your accounts, SA302s and tax position organised. If you are employed, make sure payslips and bank statements clearly support your income. Clean paperwork can make a real difference in more complex cases.
Why the right lender matters
After arrears, this is often less about whether mortgages exist and more about which lender is suitable now. Some lenders will not consider any recent missed payments at all. Others will accept them within set limits. A few will look beyond the credit report and assess the overall circumstances in more detail.
That is why applications in this area need to be presented properly. The detail matters – how recent the arrears were, whether they were isolated, whether they related to your home, and what has changed since then. A case that looks weak on a basic online form can look far more acceptable when it is matched to the right criteria and explained properly.
For borrowers who have already been declined, this can be especially important. A decline does not always mean the case is impossible. Sometimes it simply means the application went to the wrong lender first.
When waiting may be the better option
There are situations where the honest answer is not yet. If the arrears are still ongoing, if your accounts continue to be missed, or if affordability is too tight, waiting can be the better move.
That may mean clearing outstanding balances, allowing more time to pass since the arrears occurred, or building a bigger deposit. It can be frustrating, but a stronger application later is often better than a rushed one now that leads to another refusal.
In some cases, a short delay opens up a much wider range of lenders and more competitive terms. That can matter just as much as getting accepted in the first place.
A realistic answer to can I get mortgage after arrears
Yes, it is possible to get a mortgage after arrears, but the answer depends on the detail rather than the label. Lenders will want to know what happened, how long ago it was, whether it has been resolved and how stable your finances are today.
If your arrears are historic, isolated and followed by a solid payment record, your options are usually much better. If they are recent or connected to wider financial pressure, there may still be routes forward, but they often need more careful planning and a lender that understands complex cases.
If you feel unsure where you stand, that is understandable. Arrears can make the process feel more personal and more stressful than it needs to be. With the right guidance, a realistic assessment and a properly prepared application, many borrowers find that the answer is better than they expected.