COMMON CREDIT PROBLEMS
Credit problems have become more and more common in recent years. Although you may have heard about these problems, you may not know what they all are and how it is possible to avoid some of them.
Credit Problems - The Definition
Credit problems usually happen when a borrower fails to repay any amount they have borrowed. Anything from missed credit card repayments to bankruptcy will all affect your ability to get any kind of finance in the future. Although many lenders will not give to those with poor credit, theremortgage.co.uk will accept enquiries from anyone, even those with bad credit.
There are several factors that are classed as credit problems:
- Arrears - Mortgage Arrears is used to describe missed, late or under paid mortgage repayments. If you stay in arrears you are likely to end up with a County Court Judgment or CCJ. This can also be described as defaulting on your mortgage or Mortgage Defaults. A limited number of lenders will consider lending credit to people with previous credit problems.
- CCJ or County Court Judgment - If you have not made payment on any debt you have then you will be taken to Crown Court. If the debt isn't satisfied then a decision or judgment made in the County Court, normally for the non-payment of that debt will be registered on your credit file as a CCJ. If the debt is paid or satisfied and a satisfaction certificate obtained it will be noted on your credit file. Having unsatisfied CCJ’s will seriously effect your credit rating and limit the lenders available to you.
- Bankruptcy (Discharged From Bankruptcy) - After a period of time a Bankrupt Individual can be discharged from bankruptcy. This then releases them from their financial obligations. There are some lenders that will provide mortgages for ex-bankrupts.
- Defaults - If you have defaulted on a loan or mortgage it means that you are more than 30 days behind the date your repayment was due. This will be marked on your credit record and would lead to a CCJ if no payment was received or received very late.
Credit Checks and More
All your credit history will be stored on databases by credit reference companies. A lender will check these to find out your credit status. If you have a severe credit history and your record will be black listed to note severe risk. Some lenders will still lend on this but the interest rate will be high until you can improve your credit history.
- Credit Check - A lender will do a credit check to ascertain your credit rating. A credit check determines your credit history whether you have any CCJ's, defaults or outstanding credit card bills using the services of a credit agency (Experian or Equifax). Most high street lenders don't want anyone with a poor credit history.
- Credit Scoring - This process is used by most lenders to determine what level of credit risk you are. They use a scoring system based on credit history; good or bad, length at current address, security, employment, income and answering these questions gives them a score or Credit Rating. Mainstream lenders only want high scores. However there are lenders who will find credit to suit your score even if it is a poor credit rating. The majority of your credit history and suitability will be on a national credit database but it is up to individual lenders whether the risk is acceptable.
- Credit Reference Agency - When assessing your application, a mortgage lender will study your records. These records are held centrally by credit reference agencies, and contain information for many different aspects of your life.
