Mortgage after bankruptcy

If you’ve been bankrupt in the past, it’s likely you’ll struggle to find a mortgage with a high street lender.

Luckily there are plenty of specialist lenders that will consider applicants who’ve faced bankruptcy, and our brokers at Clever Mortgages could help you access these lenders.

Some specialist lenders might consider your mortgage application immediately after you’re discharged from bankruptcy. Others might prefer you to have been discharged for at least 12 months or for several years.

The main issue facing borrowers is their deposit amount. The more time that has passed since your discharge, the more likely a lender will be to accept you for a higher Loan to Value (LTV) product. If you’ve been discharged bankrupt for a year or less, a lender may need you to supply a deposit of at least 50%. After 2 or 3 years, provided you can prove good money management, this could drop to 25% LTV. When you have been discharged for over 6 years, you could become eligible for 95% mortgages.

Getting a mortgage after bankruptcy can be difficult, with many high street lenders declining applications, but it’s possible.  Our specialist brokers and the lenders they work with believe that everyone deserves consideration, and could help you find a mortgage even after bankruptcy.

Some lenders will consider your mortgage application immediately after you’re discharged. Others might require you to have been discharged for at least 12 months, if not for several years. The main issue facing borrowers is their deposit amount. The longer since your discharge, the more likely a lender will be to accept you for a higher Loan to Value (LTV) product.

Getting a mortgage after being made bankrupt is certainly possible, and there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance.

Speak to a specialist broker

Speaking to a broker, such as Clever Mortgages who have experience in dealing with mortgages after bankrupcy can help your chances of approval. We have relationships with lenders most likely to say yes.

Save up a large deposit:

The biggest factor in getting a mortgage after being discharged from bankruptcy is the size of your deposit. Your bankruptcy will play a large part in how you are viewed financially and having a larger deposit will help lenders view you as a lower risk, you’re more likely to be accepted for a lower LTV mortgage so saving up a fair portion of the property’s value will help increase your chances for approval.

Employment:

Having a stable income, or consistent employment in the same field helps boost your application and make you a more attractive borrower. Potential lenders will want to know you have the income needed to afford mortgage repayments.

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding involving an individual who is unable to repay their debts. It allows those who have no way of repaying their debts to start fresh and – depending on assets owned – sometimes allows creditors to reclaim some of the money owed.

It costs £680 to apply for bankruptcy, and you can only do it online. Apply for bankruptcy

The GOV.UK website advises:

“You’ll need to provide information about your income, outgoings and debts, including:

• wage slips
• benefits or pension statements
• bills – for example, electricity, credit card and council tax
• letters from a bailiff or enforcement agent

You cannot submit your application until you’ve paid the full fee. You can pay in instalments if you cannot afford to pay it all at once. If you are struggling to pay the fee, contact a debt adviser about charities that may be able to help.”

If your application, or your creditors application on your behalf, for bankruptcy is accepted then your assets would no longer be considered yours and your bank or building society account(s) would be frozen. There are exempt goods, like everyday household items and things you need to work, such as your computer or car.

Someone will be appointed to manage your bankruptcy, either an official receiver (an officer of the court) or an insolvency practitioner. This person will be your “trustee” and will handle your assets and bank accounts.

Your assets could be sold to help your creditors reclaim some of the money you owe. You might also need to make monthly repayments from spare income, but only if you can afford to do so. If your trustee decided you can afford it, this could become an Income Payments Agreement (IPA) and can last for up to 3 years.

While you’re in a bankruptcy order, there will be restrictions you need to follow. You cannot:

• take out more than £500 in credit without declaring your bankruptcy
• direct a company without court permission
• create, manage or promote a company without permission
• manage a business with a different name without declaring your bankruptcy
• work as an insolvency practitioner

A bankruptcy order usually lasts a year, after which you should be discharged. This would give you a fresh start, effectively meaning would no longer owe the debts included in your order and your creditors won’t be able to chase the money you owed.

You’ll still need to pay any debts not included in your bankruptcy order, such as student loans but outside of that you should be free from the debt and the restrictions associated with a bankruptcy order should be lifted. This means upon discharge from bankruptcy, pursuing a mortgage is viable.

• Valuable knowledge, through years of experience helping customers
• Bad credit / poor credit experts
• Find the right mortgage first time
• Some mortgages are only available through a broker
• Help with the application process
• Advice on all options available, such as help to buy, guarantor or shared ownership

Read more on what a mortgage broker does for you