What Credit Score Do You Need to Remortgage in 2026?

When you’re thinking about remortgaging, your credit score isn’t just a number-it’s the gatekeeper to better rates, lower monthly payments, and more flexibility. Many people assume they need a perfect score to qualify, but that’s not true. You can remortgage with a score in the 600s, but your options and costs will change dramatically depending on where you land on the scale.

What’s a good credit score for remortgaging?

In 2026, most lenders in the UK consider a credit score of 660 or higher as the minimum for standard remortgage deals. But that’s just the starting line. If your score is between 660 and 720, you’ll qualify for competitive rates, but you might not get the very best deals reserved for top-tier borrowers. Scores above 720 open the door to the lowest interest rates, longer terms, and higher loan-to-value ratios.

Here’s how the major credit reference agencies rate scores right now:

• Experian: 881-960 = Excellent, 721-880 = Good, 561-720 = Fair, 0-560 = Poor
• Equifax: 420-465 = Excellent, 380-419 = Good, 275-379 = Fair, 0-274 = Poor
• TransUnion: 781-850 = Excellent, 661-780 = Good, 561-660 = Fair, 0-560 = Poor

Most lenders use Experian or Equifax, so if you’re in the Good range or higher on those, you’re in a strong position. But remember-lenders don’t just look at your score. They check your income, existing debts, payment history, and how much equity you have in your home.

What happens if your credit score is below 600?

If your score is under 600, remortgaging isn’t impossible, but it’s much harder. You’ll likely need to work with a specialist lender who offers deals for people with poor credit. These lenders charge higher interest rates-sometimes 5% to 8% or more-to offset the risk. You might also need to put down a larger deposit, or you could be limited to a smaller loan amount.

One real example from 2025: A homeowner in Manchester had a score of 540 due to a missed payment two years earlier. She was turned down by five mainstream lenders. But after working with a mortgage broker who specializes in adverse credit, she found a lender willing to remortgage her at 6.2% interest. Her monthly payment went up by £180 compared to what she’d pay with a 700+ score.

Before you give up, check your credit report. Many people have errors on their reports-late payments that were never late, accounts they didn’t open, or debts already paid off that still show as outstanding. Fixing those can raise your score by 50 to 100 points in a few weeks.

How to improve your credit score before remortgaging

If you’ve got a few months before you plan to remortgage, you can make real progress. Here’s what works:

1. Pay every bill on time. Payment history makes up 35% of your score. Set up direct debits for utilities, phone, and credit cards-even small ones.
2. Reduce your credit utilization. Try to keep your credit card balances below 30% of your limit. Paying down a £2,000 balance to £500 can boost your score quickly.
3. Don’t open new credit accounts. Each new application leaves a footprint on your report. Lenders see multiple recent applications as risky.
4. Check for and dispute errors. Use free services like Experian’s CreditExpert or Equifax’s Credit Report to review your file. Dispute inaccuracies in writing.
5. Register on the electoral roll. It’s simple, free, and helps lenders verify your identity.

One person we spoke to raised their score from 610 to 715 in just 11 weeks by paying off two small debts and fixing a mistaken default. They saved £220 a month on their new mortgage.

Do all lenders check your credit score the same way?

No. High-street banks like Barclays, NatWest, and HSBC use automated systems that rely heavily on credit scores. If your score is below their threshold, you won’t even get to a human advisor.

Specialist lenders and building societies-like Coventry Building Society, Leeds Building Society, or Paragon Bank-are more likely to look at your whole situation. They might accept a lower score if you have a stable job, low debt, and a lot of equity in your home.

Some lenders even offer credit score friendly remortgage products. These don’t rely on your score alone. They look at your bank statements, rental history, and whether you’ve paid your current mortgage on time for the last 24 months. These are rare, but they exist.

What else matters besides your credit score?

Your credit score is important, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Lenders also care about:

• Equity in your home: If you’ve paid down your mortgage and your home’s value has gone up, you have more equity. Lenders prefer you to have at least 15-20% equity. More equity means lower risk for them-and better rates for you.
• Income and affordability: Can you afford the new payments? Lenders use income multiples (usually 4-5x your salary) and stress-test your payments at 2-3% higher interest rates.
• Existing debt: If you’ve got a car loan, personal loan, or credit card debt, your debt-to-income ratio matters. Lenders want to see you’re not overextended.
• Employment history: If you’ve been in the same job for two years or more, that helps. Self-employed people need more documentation, but they can still qualify.

One couple in Bristol had a score of 650 but owned their home outright with £120,000 equity. They were turned down by two lenders because of a recent credit card application. The third lender approved them because they showed consistent income and no missed payments in five years.

Can you remortgage with a CCJ or default?

Yes-but it’s complicated. If you have a County Court Judgment (CCJ) or a default on your record, most mainstream lenders will reject you automatically. But some specialist lenders will consider you if:

• The CCJ was paid off more than 12 months ago
• You’ve rebuilt your credit since then
• You have at least 25% equity in your home

These deals come with higher fees and interest rates. You might pay 1-2% more than someone with a clean record. But for some, it’s the only way to escape a high-rate deal or fund home repairs.

Example: A homeowner in Leeds had a £5,000 CCJ from 2022. It was paid in full in 2024. In early 2026, they remortgaged with a specialist lender at 5.8%-a 2.1% increase over the standard rate. They saved £140 a month compared to their old deal and used the extra cash to fix their roof.

How to find the right lender for your credit situation

Don’t apply to five lenders at once. Each application leaves a mark on your report and can hurt your score further.

Instead:

1. Check your credit score and report first.
2. Use a mortgage broker who specializes in your credit profile.
3. Ask brokers: “Which lenders are most likely to approve someone with a score of X and a history of Y?”
4. Get an agreement in principle (AIP) before you apply fully.
5. Only proceed with one or two lenders you’re confident about.

Brokers have access to deals not available to the public. They know which lenders are flexible on credit scores and which ones have hidden criteria.

What to do if you’re denied

If you’re turned down, don’t panic. Ask for the reason. Lenders are required to tell you why.

Common reasons:

• Low credit score
• High debt-to-income ratio
• Too many recent credit applications
• Insufficient equity

Once you know the reason, you can fix it. If it’s your score, wait 3-6 months and rebuild. If it’s your debt, pay down one loan. If it’s your equity, wait a year and let your home’s value rise.

Some people think remortgaging is only for people with perfect credit. That’s a myth. Millions remortgage every year with scores in the 600s. The key is knowing your numbers, understanding your options, and taking the right steps at the right time.

When to act and when to wait

Don’t rush into remortgaging just because your current deal is ending. If your score is low, give yourself 3-6 months to improve it. Even a 30-point jump can save you hundreds a year.

But if your current rate is over 6% and you’re stuck on a standard variable rate, waiting might cost you more than fixing your credit. In that case, even a specialist deal at 6.5% could be better than staying where you are.

Run the numbers. Compare your current payment to what you’d pay with a new deal-even a bad one. Sometimes, a slightly higher rate with better terms is still a win.