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How to Find a Mortgage After a Lender Rejection

Posted 25 April 2016

Having a mortgage application declined is going to hurt, but it doesn't mean that your options for getting a home loan have completely run out...

What do you do if you have been rejected for a mortgage? You may feel like either giving up or rushing straight out and trying your luck with another bank or building society. Being declined by underwriter for a home loan isn't necessarily the end of the world and there are lots of things you can do to find a mortgage after you've been rejected by a lender.

Our guide explains what to do next.

Establish why your mortgage application was rejected

There are a number of reasons why a lender may have rejected your mortgage application. Many of them will be down to specific rules for one particular bank or building society and just because you don't meet their criteria it doesn't mean you won't get a mortgage with someone else.

Common reasons your application may be rejected include:

  • Your application did not meet a lender's criteria - perhaps a lender needs you to have been self-employed for three years when you have only worked for yourself for two years
  • Poor credit history - you may have defaults or CCJs
  • You are not on the voter's roll
  • Affordability issues - using their own specific criteria a lender may determine that you can't afford the mortgage that you need
  • A simple mistake - many lenders use automated underwriting and so if a piece of information has been input incorrectly it could adversely affect the decision

Not all rejections mean you won't get a mortgage

Criteria differs hugely from one lender to another. What this means is that just because you have been declined by an underwriter for a loan with one lender doesn't mean you won't find another bank or building society that is happy to lend.

Some banks will simply have a list of underwriting requirements you don't meet. They may take more items into account when calculating your outgoings or require a bigger deposit than you have available. With many lenders using 'tick-box' underwriting, it's easy to fall outside their criteria.

Other lenders may look differently on your application, however. Don't give up.

Some problems are more serious

There are reasons for having your mortgage rejected that may cause you more problems.

For example, if you are declined because of poor credit you should obtain a copy of your credit file. If you have missed payments on another mortgage, loans or credit cards then it may be more difficult to source the mortgage you need through a High Street lender. Read our article on getting a mortgage after a County Court Judgement.

Not being on the voter's roll can also adversely affect your application. Make sure you are registered to vote with your local council.

Since lenders were forced to implement additional affordability checks, it has been harder for many people to get the mortgage they need based on their income and outgoings. If you are rejected because a lender doesn't believe you can afford the loan then paying off debts or increasing your income may help.

A mortgage broker can help you

A qualified, independent mortgage broker deals with a wide number of lenders. They will often know which lenders are likely to be more sympathetic to your circumstances and which banks and building societies will lend to someone in your situation. They will also talk to an underwriter on your behalf.

Speaking to a mortgage broker in the first instance can save you time and money. Rather than spending time applying with the wrong lender and being rejected, they can help you to find the right lender first time.


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YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP PAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

If you choose to use Tembo for mortgage advice, we may earn a commission from them for the introduction. This does not negatively impact the amount you'll pay for their service.

Tembo Money Limited (12631312) is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at 18 Crucifix Lane, London, SE1 3JW. Tembo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under the registration number 952652.

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