In This Guide
How Together Financial Services Views Adverse Credit
The fundamental difference between Together and mainstream mortgage lenders is that Together does not use automated credit scoring as a binary pass/fail mechanism. High-street banks typically feed your application through an algorithm that assigns a score and either approves or rejects you automatically. If your credit file contains any adverse markers — CCJs, defaults, missed payments — the algorithm will almost certainly reject you, regardless of your current financial stability.
Together's approach is categorically different. A real underwriter reads your application, examines your credit file in context, and makes a judgment based on the totality of your circumstances. The questions a Together underwriter asks are: What happened? Why did it happen? When did it happen? Is it resolved? What is the borrower's current financial position? Is the mortgage affordable today?
This approach means that many borrowers with adverse credit histories can obtain Together mortgages or bridging loans that would be impossible to obtain from any mainstream lender.
Important caveat: "Adverse credit considered" does not mean "all adverse credit automatically accepted." The type, size, recency and number of adverse markers all matter significantly. This guide will help you understand where your situation sits on Together's spectrum.
The Traffic Light System: What Together Accepts
🟢 Generally Accepted
Satisfied CCJs over 2 years old · Single missed payment 12+ months ago · Small defaults over 3 years old (satisfied) · Thin credit file · Historic financial difficulty now resolved
🟡 Considered Case by Case
Unsatisfied CCJs 2–4 years old · Multiple missed payments 12–24 months ago · Defaults 1–3 years old · Debt management plan (completed) · Adverse credit during Covid/health crisis
🔴 Likely to Decline
Recent bankruptcy (under 3 years) · Repossession in last 3 years · Active IVA · Multiple recent CCJs (under 1 year) · Current missed mortgage payments · Fraud markers
CCJs (County Court Judgements)
A County Court Judgement is one of the most common adverse credit markers Together is asked to consider. CCJs remain on your credit file for 6 years from the date of registration. Together's approach to CCJs is nuanced and context-driven.
Satisfied CCJs
A satisfied CCJ (one that has been paid in full) is always viewed more favourably than an unsatisfied one. If you have a CCJ that is over 2 years old and satisfied, Together will almost certainly consider your application — though the terms offered (LTV, rate) may reflect the residual risk.
Unsatisfied CCJs
An unsatisfied CCJ is more problematic. Together will consider unsatisfied CCJs depending on the amount and age — a single CCJ for a small amount (under £500) that is 3+ years old is very different from three recent CCJs totalling £15,000. In general, if you have an unsatisfied CCJ and want to apply for a Together mortgage, your first step should be to satisfy (pay) the CCJ and then apply.
Defaults
A default is registered when you miss several payments on a credit account and the lender closes the account. Like CCJs, defaults remain on your credit file for 6 years. Together's approach:
- Satisfied defaults over 2 years old — generally considered with limited impact on terms
- Unsatisfied defaults over 3 years old — considered on merit; size matters significantly
- Recent defaults (under 12 months) — typically a bar to mortgage approval; wait and rebuild
- Multiple defaults — each case assessed individually; number and recency are key factors
Missed Payments (Arrears)
Missed mortgage payments are viewed particularly seriously by Together, as they indicate a borrower who has previously struggled to service a secured loan — the same type of commitment being applied for. Together's general position:
- 1–2 missed payments over 2 years ago — usually considered, particularly if there was a clear reason (redundancy, illness, Covid)
- 3+ missed payments in the last 2 years — will significantly affect terms; may require a larger deposit
- Current mortgage arrears — typically a bar to approval until arrears are cleared
- Historic unsecured missed payments (credit cards, loans) — viewed less severely than mortgage arrears
Context matters enormously. A single missed payment during the Covid-19 lockdown period (March 2020 – June 2021) is treated very differently by Together than a recent missed payment with no identifiable reason. Always provide a written explanation of the circumstances surrounding adverse credit events.
Bankruptcy and IVA
Bankruptcy and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) are the most serious forms of adverse credit and represent the biggest barrier to mortgage lending. Together's general position:
| Event | Together's General Position |
|---|---|
| Discharged bankruptcy (3+ years ago) | May be considered with large deposit (30%+) and clean recent history |
| Discharged bankruptcy (under 3 years) | Unlikely to be accepted for a mortgage; bridging considered case by case |
| Undischarged bankruptcy | Will not lend |
| Completed IVA (3+ years ago) | May be considered; large deposit typically required |
| Active IVA | Will not lend during active IVA |
| Debt Management Plan (completed) | Considered on merit; time since completion matters |
How to Improve Your Application When You Have Bad Credit
Even if your credit history is imperfect, there are practical steps you can take before applying for a Together mortgage that will meaningfully improve your chances and the terms you receive:
- Check your credit file first. Use all three major agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) — errors are common and can be corrected before you apply. A free trial on Checkmyfile gives you all three reports simultaneously.
- Satisfy all outstanding CCJs and defaults. Even if the adverse marker remains on your file for 6 years, satisfied entries are much more favourably viewed than unsatisfied ones. Settle what you can before applying.
- Build a larger deposit. More equity = lower LTV = lower risk for Together. A 25–30% deposit makes adverse credit cases significantly more viable than a 10–15% deposit.
- Demonstrate at least 12 months of clean financial conduct. No new missed payments, consistent income, no new adverse markers in the 12 months before application. This "rehabilitation period" matters greatly to underwriters.
- Write a covering letter. A concise, factual explanation of what caused your adverse credit and what has changed since then is one of the most effective tools available. Together underwriters are human — context helps.
- Use a specialist broker. A broker who regularly places adverse credit cases with Together will know exactly how to package your application to maximise approval chances. Do not apply directly without advice.
Warning: Never make multiple mortgage applications to different lenders simultaneously when you have adverse credit. Each full application triggers a hard credit search, which itself appears as an adverse marker. Multiple searches in a short period can significantly worsen your credit profile and your chances of approval at Together or anywhere else.
Have Bad Credit? Let's Discuss Your Options
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