Fastest Ways to Improve Your Credit Score for a UK Mortgage

A practical, broker-led guide for first-time buyers and home movers

TL;DR – Key Takeaways

• Check all your credit files, not just one agency
• Aim for a credit score above 750/1000 (strong, not guaranteed)
• Get on the electoral roll and avoid frequent address changes
• Use one credit card, keep usage under 30%, and clear it in full
• Never miss payments; challenge errors quickly
• Even with CCJs or blips, specialist lenders may still help
• A good mortgage adviser can often unlock options you didn’t know existed

Introduction

Your credit score can feel like a black box, especially when you’re trying to get a mortgage.

Over the past decade, I’ve helped process more than 4,000 mortgage applications, and one thing is clear: most applicants don’t fail because they’re “bad borrowers” – they fail because they don’t understand how lenders see their credit profile.

I’m Ifthikar Mohamed, a UK mortgage broker with over 10 years’ experience. Alongside advising clients, I’ve also helped build and work with mortgage technology and CRM systems used by banks. This article draws on that real-world experience to explain the fastest, most practical ways to improve your credit score for a mortgage, and what to do if your score isn’t where it needs to be yet.

Step 1: Download Your Full Credit File (Not Just One Score)

The fastest starting point is to see what lenders see.

Many people rely on a single credit score app, but UK mortgage lenders use multiple credit reference agencies. Looking at only one can give a false sense of confidence or unnecessary panic.

What I recommend

• Use a multi-agency credit report so you see the full picture
• Tools like Checkmyfile combine data from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
• If you’re mortgage-focused, tools like MortgagX assess your credit profile in the context of a mortgage, not just a generic score

This approach helps answer the real question:
“Am I likely to get a mortgage – yes or no – and what needs fixing?”

What Is a “Good” Credit Score for a Mortgage?

There’s a lot of confusion around benchmarks.

If your score is measured out of 1,000, a good target is:

• 750+ = strong profile for most mainstream lenders

This does not guarantee approval. Affordability, income, deposit, and lender criteria still matter. But statistically, your chances improve significantly once you’re above this range.

Step 2: Get on the Electoral Roll (This Matters More Than You Think)

Being registered on the electoral roll is one of the quickest, simplest wins.

Why lenders care:

• It confirms your identity and address stability
• It reduces fraud risk in lenders’ eyes

Address stability matters
Frequent address changes in the last 3 years can negatively affect your score. Credit agencies prefer stability. If you don’t need to move, don’t. It helps both your credit profile and how lenders assess you as a borrower.

Step 3: Use a Credit Card the Right Way

A credit card can build your score quickly – if used correctly.

Best practice

• Use one credit card only
• Spend a small amount each month (e.g. groceries)
• Clear the balance in full every month
• Keep utilisation below 30% of the limit

What to avoid

• Using 90%+ of your limit (red flag to lenders)
• Carrying balances month to month unnecessarily
• Holding multiple unused cards (signals available debt capacity)

Lenders don’t want to see dependency on credit. They want to see control.

Step 4: Never Miss Payments (and Fix Errors Fast)

Set direct debits for all regular commitments:

• Mobile phones
• Utilities
• Subscriptions
• Credit cards

Missed payments damage your score fast.

Important: challenge incorrect entries
If a missed payment or default is incorrect:

• Contact the provider immediately
• Ask for correction or removal
• Creditors can reverse errors under the right circumstances

If you’re unsure how to do this, start with a mortgage adviser. We deal with these issues regularly and know how lenders interpret them.

Step 5: What If You Have CCJs or Defaults?

This is where many people give up too early.

Yes, high-street banks dislike CCJs. But the market is wider than that.

Real-world options

• Some lenders consider CCJs settled within the last 3 years
• Small CCJs (e.g. under £300) may be ignored by certain lenders
• Specialist lenders assess the story, not just the score

If your credit history reflects life events (cost-of-living pressures, illness, redundancy), lenders are increasingly pragmatic – with the right guidance.

Step 6: When Credit Score Isn’t the Main Factor

Some specialist lenders:

• Don’t rely heavily on automated credit scoring
• Focus on income sustainability, deposit strength, and overall profile

Your usual high-street bank may say no. A specialist lender may say yes.

This is where a broker adds real value.

Quick Reference Table: Credit Score Improvement Signals

FAQs

How long does it take to improve a credit score?

Small improvements can be seen in 1–3 months. Meaningful mortgage-ready changes usually take 3–6 months, depending on the issue.

Should I close old credit cards?

Not always. Length of credit history helps. Close unused cards only if you have several.

Does checking my credit score harm it?

No. Soft searches do not affect your score.

Can I get a mortgage with bad credit?

Yes, in many cases – through specialist lenders, with the right advice.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone

If your credit score isn’t perfect, it doesn’t mean homeownership is off the table. It usually means you need clarity, a plan, and the right support.

For personalised guidance:

• Speak to WIS Mortgages for professional mortgage advice
• For a free, technology-led credit and mortgage readiness check, explore MortgagX to see where you stand and what to improve

Buying your first home is a big step. My goal with this guide is simple: to mentor, educate, and help you move forward with confidence.

If you’re unsure, reach out. I’m happy to help.

About the Author

Ifthikar Mohamed is a UK-based mortgage broker with over 10 years’ experience in the mortgage and financial services industry. Over the past decade, he has been directly involved in more than 4,000 mortgage applications, supporting first-time buyers, home movers, and clients with complex credit profiles.

Alongside advising clients, Ifthikar has worked closely with lenders and technology teams to help design and build mortgage-focused CRM and AI systems, including platforms used within regulated banking environments. This gives him first-hand insight into how credit reference agencies, underwriters, and automated lender systems assess mortgage applicants in real-world scenarios.

He is also the co-founder of MortgagX, an AI-driven mortgage platform designed to help applicants understand their mortgage readiness, including how their credit profile is likely to be viewed by lenders.

Through his writing and advisory work, Ifthikar focuses on education, clarity, and practical guidance, helping people understand that even when credit is not perfect, there are often alternative routes and specialist options available with the right advice.

FCA Warnings:

Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.