What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a House

If you are planning to buy a house in the UK, one of the first hurdles to clear is securing a mortgage. While lenders look at a range of factors when deciding whether to approve your application, your credit score is one of the most important. It reflects how well you have managed your borrowing in the past and gives lenders a sense of how reliable you are likely to be when repaying a mortgage. Knowing what credit score is needed to buy a house can help you prepare in advance, fix any issues and improve your chances of approval.

This guide explains how credit scores work in the UK, what lenders are looking for, how different credit reference agencies assess you and what steps you can take to get mortgage ready.

What Is a Credit Score and Why Does It Matter?

Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness. It is based on your borrowing history, including credit cards, loans, mobile phone contracts and utility payments. Lenders use it, along with other financial information, to assess whether you are a high or low risk as a borrower.

Credit scores do not just determine whether you get a mortgage. They can also affect how much you can borrow and what interest rate you are offered. A better credit score can open the door to more competitive mortgage deals, while a poor score may result in higher rates or outright rejection.

Which Credit Scores Do Lenders Use?

In the UK, the three main credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Each of them uses its own scoring system, so there is no single number that guarantees approval. For Experian, scores range from 0 to 999, while Equifax scores from 0 to 1,000 and TransUnion from 0 to 710.

As a general rule, the higher your score, the better. A good Experian score is usually considered to be 881 or above, with excellent being 961 or higher. For Equifax, a good score starts around 531 and for TransUnion, 604 is typically seen as good. Lenders may use one or more of these agencies to assess your credit file, but they also apply their own internal criteria.

Importantly, lenders do not just rely on the number. They look at the detail of your credit report, including any missed payments, defaults, County Court Judgments, or evidence of financial difficulty. Even with a high score, recent problems can affect your chances of getting a mortgage.

What Score Do You Need to Get a Mortgage?

There is no fixed minimum credit score required to get a mortgage in the UK. Each lender has its own affordability checks, credit policies and tolerance for risk. That said, most high street lenders prefer borrowers with good to excellent credit scores and a clean financial history.

If your credit score is in the good or excellent range, and you have a steady income and a manageable level of debt, you are likely to be eligible for most mortgage products. If your score is fair, you may still get a mortgage but might need a larger deposit or face higher interest rates.

For those with poor credit, there are specialist lenders who may still offer mortgage deals, but these often come with stricter terms and higher rates. You may also need to show at least twelve months of financial stability or pay off existing debts to be considered.

How Can You Improve Your Credit Score Before Buying?

If you are planning to buy a house in the next year, now is the time to improve your credit score. Start by checking your credit reports with all three agencies to spot any errors or outdated information. Make sure your address is up to date and register on the electoral roll to improve your credit profile.

Pay bills on time, reduce outstanding debts and avoid taking on new credit unnecessarily. Try to keep your credit utilisation low by using only a small portion of your available credit limits. Avoid applying for multiple credit products in a short space of time, as this can make you look financially stretched.

Lenders also like to see stable bank activity, so avoid large cash withdrawals, gambling activity or irregular spending patterns in the months leading up to your mortgage application. Consistent saving and responsible borrowing are signs that you can handle mortgage repayments.

How Much Does Credit Score Affect Mortgage Approval?

While your credit score is important, it is not the only factor that lenders consider. Your income, job stability, outgoings, size of deposit, age and the type of property you are buying all play a part in whether your application is approved.

Some lenders may approve applicants with average credit scores if they have a large deposit or low existing debts. Others may decline a high-score applicant who has irregular income or recent credit issues. Mortgage brokers can often help match your circumstances to the most suitable lenders.

Case Example

A first-time buyer in Manchester had an Experian credit score of 890, considered good, and a 15 percent deposit saved. Despite a short-term overdraft in the previous year, their credit file showed regular payments and no defaults. They secured a competitive fixed-rate mortgage with a high street lender, having first spoken to a broker who advised clearing one small credit card balance to improve their affordability calculation.

Conclusion

There is no universal credit score that guarantees mortgage approval, but having a good to excellent credit profile improves your chances significantly. By understanding how lenders view your credit history and taking steps to improve it before applying, you can put yourself in the strongest possible position when buying a house. Careful financial planning, responsible borrowing and speaking to the right adviser can make all the difference in achieving your homeownership goals.