Check Your Credit Report Before You Apply for a Mortgage

​

Before applying for a mortgage, it’s essential to understand where you stand financially.

 

Your credit report is one of the first things lenders will review when deciding whether to approve you — and at what rate.

​

A clean, up-to-date credit report can help you secure a better mortgage deal. By reviewing your credit report, you can catch errors, see what lenders will see, and ensure everything is in order before you apply.

 

🔍 What Is a Credit Report?

​

Your credit report is a summary of your borrowing history and current credit status.

 

Lenders use it to understand how you’ve managed things like credit cards, loans, or mobile contracts in the past.

​

​

🧾 Why Does It Matter for First-Time Buyers?

​

Before offering a mortgage, most lenders will look at your credit report to help them assess:

​

• Your repayment history

​

• Any outstanding debts

​

• How much credit you’re currently using

​

• Whether you’ve had missed payments or defaults

​

​

​

🛠️ What to Check For

​

You don’t need to be a financial expert — just look out for:

​

• Old addresses or accounts you don’t recognise

​

• Any missed payments you weren’t aware of

​

• Duplicate listings of credit you’ve already settled

​

If something doesn’t look right, contact the credit agency to raise a correction.

​

​

​

🕒 How to Check Yours​

​

​

You can check your credit report online in just a few minutes. It’s free, and it won’t impact your score — this is called a soft check.

​

​

⚖️ Always Get Proper Advice

​

If you're unsure about your credit report or anything mortgage-related, always speak to someone who is properly qualified and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

​

This could include:

​

• A mortgage advisor

​

• A financial advisor

​

• A credit specialist

​

💬 Disclaimer

​

The Ladder Club UK shares general guidance to help first-time buyers navigate the home-buying journey.

This content is for information only and does not constitute financial advice.

​​