Can I get a home loan with bad credit?
This page is for Australians who currently have a bad credit file and need a home loan.
Credit providers like lenders take note of any missed payments on your credit file, but that need not mean the end of your home loan dreams. The following is what lenders consider bad credit:
Understanding Bad Credit
Have you missed a payment on your bill, credit card, mortgage or any other type of debt in the past?
Bad credit is a term used to describe a financial status that indicates a history of financial difficulties. This may include patterns of missed payments on credit cards, mortgages or other bills, as well as more severe incidents like defaults or bankruptcy. These incidents leave negative marks on an individual’s credit file, which lenders take into consideration when assessing loan applications.
- A bad credit history: Adverse listings like defaults, bankruptcy, judgements, court writs, or excessive credit enquiries can raise concerns, but they don’t automatically exclude you from getting a home loan.
- Unpaid bills or taxes: If you have outstanding debts like council rates or tax bills, lenders take these into account. However, these can often be explained and resolved.
- Mortgage arrears: Lenders may be cautious if you’ve missed any payments on your mortgage in the last six months.
- Company in financial trouble: If you’re a director of a company that’s in financial trouble, this might raise flags about your personal financial management, though it doesn’t necessarily reflect poorly on your personal credit history.
- Overcommitment to debt: Having too many debts or a negative net worth. This may concern lenders but options are still available to help you secure a home loan.
| Approach to risk | Conservative, risk-averse | More flexible, willing to consider individual circumstances |
| Lending criteria | Stringent; a bad credit history often leads to denied applications or loans with higher interest rates and stricter terms. | More lenient; offers specialised loan products for those with less-than-perfect credit histories. |
| Evaluation of applicants | Focus primarily on credit score and financial missteps. | Consider the broader financial narrative, not just the credit score. |
| Product offerings | Standard loan products with less flexibility. | Tailored loan products designed to accommodate individuals with bad credit. |
| Perception of bad credit | Often viewed as a huge risk, potentially leading to loan denial or stricter loan terms. | Seen as a factor within a broader financial context, acknowledging that past financial issues don’t necessarily predict future financial behaviour. |
What Is Considered A Bad Credit Score?
In Australia, a credit score below 500 is considered bad credit, and a score under 400 is viewed as very bad, especially given that the average Equifax Score is around 550.Bad Credit Home Loan Options
Home Loan With Defaults
These types of bad credit home loans are offered to borrowers who have defaults on their credit file. In Australia, lenders generally divide defaults into two categories:- Paid defaults: Defaults that you’ve paid in full.
- Unpaid defaults: Defaults that you haven’t paid in full.
Discharged Bankrupt Home Loan
These types of bad credit home loans are offered to borrowers who were bankrupt and are now discharged. There are lenders in Australia that will lend you money to buy a property the day after your bankruptcy is discharged. ‘Discharged’ is a legal term that means a person has been released from bankruptcy. Once you are discharged, you are no longer bankrupt and no longer required to have limited assets and no overseas travel. It also means that you’re able to apply for credit again. For more information about this type of bad credit home loan, please see our discharged bankrupt home loan page or complete our free online assessment form.Part IX Debt Agreement
These types of bad credit home loans are offered to borrowers who entered a Part IX Agreement and have completed the agreement. In Australia, if you can’t pay your debts, you have the option of seeing a debt agreement administrator who can help you prepare a debt agreement between you and your creditors or lenders. Once the debt agreement is fulfilled, you’ll be discharged from the agreement. A Part 9 agreement will appear on your credit report for five years from the start date of your agreement. This can sometimes be longer and may affect your ability to obtain credit. There are lenders who will consider your mortgage application if you have a completed Part IX Agreement on a credit file. For more information about this type of bad credit home loan, please see our Part IX debt agreement home loan page or complete our free assessment form.Tax Debt Home Loan
These types of bad credit home loans are offered to borrowers who have a large debt with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Generally, the ATO debt is added to the mortgage, leaving the borrower clear from any ATO debt. ATO debt is actually common. It can be easy to make a mistake on your tax return and this can come back to bite you years later. For more information about this type of bad credit home loan, please see our tax debt mortgage page or complete our free assessment form.Debt Consolidation Home Loan
These types of bad credit home loans are offered to borrowers who have a number of small debts that have become unmanageable. In Australia, most people choose to roll multiple forms of unsecured debt such as personal loans, credit cards and car loans, into their mortgage, creating one simple, lower monthly repayment. For more information about this type of bad credit home loan, please see our debt consolidation loan page or complete our free assessment form.How Much Can I Borrow If I Have Bad Credit?
Here’s how different scenarios might affect your borrowing capacity.- Small Paid Default: With defaults under $500 paid over six months ago, you could borrow up to 90% LVR, or in some strong cases, up to 95% of the property value.
- Multiple Small Paid Defaults: If you have under $1,000 in paid defaults from financial institutions (like banks), and under $500 from non-financial institutions (like phone companies), you might be able to borrow up to 85%, or possibly 90%, of the property’s value.
- Moderate Paid Defaults: With up to $3,000 in paid defaults, borrowing options can vary. You could borrow up to 80% of the property value with a prime lender, up to 90% with a specialist lender, or even up to 100% with a security guarantee from your parents.
- Large Paid Defaults: For larger paid defaults ranging from $3,000 to $500,000, options are assessed on a case-by-case basis. A strong explanation and solid evidence can lead to borrowing up to 90% of the property value with a specialist lender.
- Unpaid Defaults: If you have any unpaid defaults, you can borrow up to 90% of the property value with a non-conforming lender, though many will require the defaults to be paid before approving the loan.
- Judgements Or Court Writs: If you have any judgements or court writs, then you can borrow up to 90% of the property value with a non-conforming lender.
- Part IX Agreement And Bankruptcy: For specific guidance related to a Part IX agreement or bankruptcy, please refer to our detailed pages on these topics.
Options For Interest Rates On Bad Credit Home Loans
Getting a home loan with bad credit usually means facing higher interest rates, as lenders see it as more of a risk. The exact rate can change depending on how your credit looks, the lender, and what’s happening in the market. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know about interest rates for these kinds of loans:- Fixed-Rate Loans: With this type, your interest rate doesn’t change for a certain time. This can be great for planning your budget because you know exactly what you’ll pay each month. But these rates might start off higher than variable rates, especially for bad credit loans.
- Variable-Rate Loans: These rates can go up or down based on the market, so your payment can change over time. This might give you a lower rate to start, but there’s the risk that it could go up later.
- Loan Duration: The length of your loan can also influence the interest rate and the total amount you’ll pay over the life of the loan. Shorter loan terms typically mean higher monthly payments but lower total interest over the life of the loan. Conversely, longer loan terms spread out the repayments, making each instalment smaller but potentially increasing the total interest paid.
Tips To Qualify For A Bad Credit Home Loan
Choose the Right Lender While major banks have stringent criteria, non-conforming and specialist lenders often adopt a more understanding approach towards bad credit. Understand Your Credit File: Familiarise yourself with your credit history and take proactive steps to mitigate any negative aspects. Engaging with a specialist mortgage broker can provide insights into how past debts are viewed and how to position your financial history positively. Manage Your Finances Prudently Avoid accruing additional negative listings on your credit file. Tackle financial hardship by:- Paying your debts on time.
- Maintaining open communication with lenders.
- Making some payment, even if not the full amount, towards your debts.
- Clearing any existing defaults.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Bad Credit Home Loan
When you’re applying for a home loan with bad credit, it’s important to be extra careful to avoid common slip-ups. These mistakes can make it harder to get your loan or affect your finances in the long run. Here’s what you should watch out for: Mistake 1: Not Checking Your Credit Report Before you start, take a close look at your credit report. Sometimes, there are mistakes or old information that could make your credit look worse than it is. Fixing these can help your application look better to lenders. Mistake 2: Applying With Multiple Lenders At Once It might seem like a good idea to apply to lots of places to increase your chances, but this can actually backfire. Every time you apply, it can knock a few points off your credit score. It’s smarter to do your homework, compare different lenders, and choose the best one for your situation. Mistake 3: Ignoring Your Current Debts Keep up with your existing debts, like credit-card bills or other loans. Missing payments or paying late can hurt your credit score even more, making lenders less likely to approve your home loan. Mistake 4: Overlooking Loan Terms Make sure you understand everything about the loan you’re considering. This includes how much interest you’ll pay, any fees involved, and how you’re supposed to pay it back. Don’t just jump at the first approval you get; the details matter a lot.Why Choose Home Loan Experts?
At Home Loan Experts, we understand the unique challenges that come with seeking a home loan when you have bad credit. Here are more reasons why you should consider us as your trusted partner in securing a bad credit home loan:- We’re not just familiar with bad credit scenarios; we specialise in them, ensuring you get optimal home loan solutions, regardless of your credit history.
- Wherever you are in Australia, our nationwide service ensures you have access to bad credit home loan options.
- Our track record speaks volumes, with a history of securing approvals for challenging loans, even if you’ve faced bank rejections before.
- With over 60 lenders at our disposal, we navigate through numerous loan options to secure rates that fit your specific situation.
- Benefit from free upfront property valuations and credit reports, aiding in a more informed and safer loan application process.
- Our legal commitment under the Best Interests Duty ensures that your financial well-being is always our priority.
- Our post-settlement team is always on standby, ready to assist, advise, and support you throughout your home loan journey.
FAQs About Bad Credit Home Loans
Specialist lenders, also known as non-conforming lenders, are far more flexible than major banks. These lenders recognise that people with bad credit are looking for a second chance at a happy life.
Here’s a list of the top five lenders specialising in bad credit home loans.
Besides them, the non-conforming lenders that we deal with are:
If you currently have a bad credit home loan, you can refinance with a non-conforming lender when:
- You owe 80% or less of your property’s value
- Your defaults are no longer showing on your credit file
- You’ve paid off your defaults
- You have full income evidence
- You’ve made all of your repayments on time in the last six months.
Your name, date of birth, current address, previous address, driver’s licence number, employer and previous employer are information stored on your credit file.
All the loans that you have applied for in the last 5 five years are a part of your credit file and they come up as “Enquiries”.
Other aspects, such as court judgements, court writs and bankruptcy history are saved on your credit file, to find out more, read our credit file page.
The deposit required for bad credit home loans varies depending on the lender and your individual circumstances. Generally, a larger deposit can improve your chances of approval and potentially secure better terms. A mortgage broker can provide guidance on the deposit requirements specific to your situation.
During the application process for a bad credit home loan in Australia, the following documents are generally required:
- Proof of Identity: Typically, a valid passport or driver’s licence.
- Proof of Income: Recent payslips, tax returns, or other official documents evidencing your earnings.
- Bank Statements: Statements showcasing your financial history and current standings.
- Details of Existing Debts: Information on current loans, credit cards, or other financial obligations.
- Additional Documents: Depending on the lender’s criteria, you might need to provide further documentation.
The duration of the application process for a bad credit home loan can vary. On average, it may take several weeks to complete the process, including application submission, assessment, and approval. Delays can occur if additional information is required or if there are complexities in your application.
Yes, first-home buyers with bad credit can still explore bad credit home loan options. Specialist lenders may consider applicants with bad credit, but eligibility criteria and interest rates may differ from standard home loans. It’s advisable to consult with a mortgage broker who specialises in bad credit home loans to assess your options and eligibility.
