A missed payment can feel like the end of the road when you’re thinking about applying for a mortgage, and many people ask, “will a missed payment mean I can’t get a mortgage?”. People assume that one mistake, or a difficult period in their financial past, automatically means rejection. The reality is very different.
A missed payment, CCJ or other adverse credit does not automatically prevent you from getting a mortgage. What it does mean is that you need the right advice, the right lender and the right approach.
At HFA Mortgage & Protection, we help clients every day who thought they had no options, until they discovered they actually had more than they realised.
Why Adverse Credit Isn’t Always a Deal-Breaker
Lenders assess risk in different ways. Some are extremely cautious, while others take a more practical, human view of credit history. A missed payment from several years ago is very different to recent or repeated issues. Context matters. So does how your finances look now.
What many people don’t realise is that some lenders specialise in working with applicants who have:
- Missed payments
- Defaults
- CCJs
- Thin or limited credit history
- Past financial difficulties
These lenders don’t ignore credit issues, but they do assess them differently.
The Importance of the Right Advice
This is where professional advice becomes critical. Applying to the wrong lender with adverse credit can result in unnecessary declines, which can damage your confidence and, in some cases, your credit profile further.
At HFA, we take time to understand:
- What the credit issue was
- When it occurred
- Whether it’s been settled
- How your finances have behaved since
- What lenders are most suitable now
This allows us to position your application correctly from the outset.
Access to Specialist Lenders Makes the Difference
High street banks aren’t always the best option for people with adverse credit, but they aren’t the only option.
HFA Mortgage & Protection has access to a broad panel of lenders, including specialist providers who work specifically with adverse credit cases. These lenders are regulated, reputable and experienced in assessing real-life situations.
This access means:
- You’re not judged solely on one missed payment
- Your full financial picture is considered
- Solutions are explored, not dismissed
Rebuilding Confidence as Well as Credit
One of the biggest challenges we see isn’t the credit issue itself. It’s the loss of confidence that comes with it.
Clients often arrive feeling embarrassed or anxious, assuming the answer will be “no”. Our role is to replace that uncertainty with understanding and a clear plan.
Sometimes that plan involves applying now. Sometimes it involves small steps to improve your position first. Either way, you’re no longer guessing.
Realistic Expectations, Real Outcomes
It’s important to be honest: adverse credit can affect interest rates and product availability. But that doesn’t mean homeownership or remortgaging is off the table.
With the right advice, many clients:
- Secure a mortgage when they thought they couldn’t
- Use specialist products short-term
- Rebuild their credit
- Move onto more mainstream rates later
The key is starting with advice that understands your situation.
A Missed Payment Isn’t the End, It’s a Starting Point
Financial lives aren’t perfect. Lenders know this and so do we. A missed payment, CCJ or past difficulty doesn’t define your future. It simply means your mortgage journey needs to be handled carefully and professionally.
At HFA Mortgage & Protection, we help clients navigate these situations every day, with empathy, experience and access to the right lenders. Find out what options are available to you at https://hfassociates.uk
Disclaimer:
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount of the fee will depend upon your circumstances but will range from £195 to £1500.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
