What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a House? A Calm UK Guide
If you’re trying to buy a house, it’s natural to want a target score. In the UK, lenders don’t work from one universal number. They look at your credit report details and whether the mortgage is affordable. Here’s how to sanity-check your file, what matters most, and what to do if you’re applying soon.
Quick Answer
What credit score is needed to buy a house?
In the UK, there isn’t one fixed credit score needed to buy a house. Mortgage lenders make decisions using your credit report (the detail behind the score) and affordability (income, outgoings, and existing commitments). A higher score band can open up more deals, but approvals can still happen with a lower score if your report is stable and the mortgage is affordable.
MoneyHelper (government-backed guidance) explains the difference between your score and your report clearly: credit scores and credit reports.
Why there isn’t one “pass” score
Search results often imply there’s a magic number. In practice, it’s calmer and a bit more nuanced.
- UK credit scores are not universal. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion use different scoring models and ranges.
- Lenders build their own scorecards. A bank might use agency data plus internal rules that you never see.
- Affordability can outweigh the score. A strong report can still be declined if the monthly payments look tight once your outgoings are considered.
If you find yourself comparing numbers across apps, start with our guide on average credit score UK. It explains why the same person can look “good” in one place and “fair” in another.
What mortgage lenders actually check when you’re buying a house
Think of a mortgage application as two lanes that run side-by-side:
- Creditworthiness: your track record of managing credit (what your report shows).
- Affordability: whether the mortgage fits your budget now and if rates rise.
In this article we focus on the credit side, but it’s worth remembering: improving your affordability (for example, reducing committed outgoings) can be just as powerful as improving your score.
The report items that most often make or break a mortgage
If you only have 20 minutes, check these areas first. They’re the ones that most often trigger a decline or push you towards fewer deals.
1) Missed payments, defaults, CCJs and debt solutions
Serious adverse markers (like defaults and CCJs) don’t automatically mean “no mortgage”, but they usually narrow your options and can affect the rate you’re offered. Lenders often care more about how recent an issue is than what happened years ago.
If you’ve seen your score drop suddenly, our calm checklist can help you diagnose the usual suspects: Why has my credit score gone down?
2) Credit utilisation (and statement timing)
You can pay in full every month and still look “maxed” if your statement balance is high on the day it’s reported. If you’re applying soon, a practical move is to bring balances down before the statement date (where you can) so the snapshot looks calmer.
3) Hard searches and recent applications
A handful of searches is normal. Lots of applications in a short period can look like stress. In the run-up to a mortgage, it’s usually wise to pause other applications (credit cards, BNPL, car finance, even some mobile contracts).
If you use BNPL, read this first so you know when checks happen: Does Klarna affect credit score?
4) Address history and electoral roll
Buying a house involves paperwork. Anything that slows down identity checks can add friction. Make sure your current address matches across your accounts, and register to vote if you’re eligible.
We cover this in more detail here: Electoral roll and credit score.
A practical way to interpret your score for house-buying
Because the number varies by agency, a more useful approach is to look at:
- Your score band (fair / good / excellent) in the app you’re using
- Any adverse markers and how recent they are
- Stability signals (steady usage, few applications, consistent addresses)
If you’re in a “good” or “excellent” band with at least one agency and your report is clean, that’s usually a strong sign. If you’re in “fair”, it doesn’t mean you can’t buy a house, but it’s worth tidying the basics before you apply.
Timeline
How to prepare, depending on when you want to apply
Applying in 30 days
Fix errors, align addresses, reduce card balances before statement dates, and pause other credit applications.
Applying in 3–6 months
Build a “boring” payment history. Keep utilisation comfortable and let any recent searches age.
Applying in 6–12 months
If you have adverse history, this is the window to rebuild stability and speak to a broker about realistic options.
Checklist
A calm pre-mortgage checklist (the “don’t panic” version)
- Check all three reports. Don’t chase points; read the lines for errors and adverse markers.
- Sort identity details. Address consistency and electoral roll (if eligible) are quick wins.
- Lower card balances early. Aim for a calm statement snapshot.
- Pause new credit. Keep your file quiet while you mortgage-shop.
- Make every payment on time. Set direct debits for at least the minimum payment.
- Keep spending predictable. Avoid “everything went on the card” months.
If you’re unsure about adverse history (defaults, CCJs, IVAs), a whole-of-market broker can help you avoid wasted applications.
Related guides (worth reading before you apply)
About 118M8: keep your house-buying plan steady
Mortgage prep is mostly about stability. 118M8 helps with the everyday part by turning prices into hours worked, so you can pause before you spend and avoid the month where everything ends up on credit.
- Sense-check purchases in time, not just pounds
- Use “Sleep on it” for a 24-hour decision pause
- Track what you didn’t spend and keep momentum
More reading: Blog home · Credit Scores
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score is needed to buy a house in the UK?
There isn’t one universal number. Lenders look at your credit report details and affordability. A “good” band helps, but a stable report and a mortgage that fits your budget is what tends to get you over the line.
Is the mortgage credit score the same as the score I see in my banking app?
Not always. Many apps show one agency’s score. A lender may use a different agency and an internal scorecard. Treat the number as a guide and focus on what the report actually says.
How far back do lenders look on a credit report for a mortgage?
They can see the full record that’s available, but recent behaviour usually matters more. The impact of older issues depends on the lender and what the issue was.
Does checking my credit score affect my ability to get a mortgage?
Checking your own score is usually a soft search and doesn’t affect your score. A mortgage application may involve a hard search by a lender, which can have a small temporary impact.
What should I avoid doing right before applying for a mortgage?
Avoid new credit applications, big last-minute balance spikes, missed payments, and address mismatches. Keep things steady and boring until the mortgage is agreed.