Intro to Mortgages and CCJs

County Court Judgements (CCJs) are often seen as bad news by mortgage lenders, and many people worry that even a single, satisfied CCJ will prevent them getting a mortgage.

Are Things Really This bad?

In a word, no.

Lenders today are far more flexible than they once were and will look at your case individually, deciding whether you are able to pay the mortgage or not – regardless of any CCJs or other debt problems you may have had.

If you think you can afford a mortgage, then you will almost certainly be able to find one – regardless of any CCJs you may have.

What Are County Court Judgements?

If you owe money to someone and have not settled the debt or bill on time, they may make a County Court Claim against you. This has two purposes:

1. If there is some dispute about the claim – for example an unsettled bill you believe is wrong – the County Court will allow you to make your case, and the judge will make a legally-binding decision about whether you should pay.

2. If you agree that you owe the money but have not been able to pay it, the Court will devise a payment plan you can meet, and as long as you keep up with those payments, your creditors will leave you alone.

If the County Court finds that you do owe money, a County Court Judgement will be made against you.

If you pay this in full within one month, it will not appear on your credit record.

However, if you do not pay it within one month, the CCJ will be added to your credit record for six years.

Once you have paid it off, the CCJ will have been satisfied, and this will be shown on your credit record. The CCJ will still remain on your credit record for the full six years though – there is no way to avoid this.

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