Can I Get a Mortgage With a Debt Relief Order (DRO)?

Can I get a mortgage with a debt relief order?

Yes, you can get a mortgage after being in a DRO! Most of the mainstream mortgage lenders will probably turn you down, but there’s specialist lenders out there who deal exclusively with bad credit applicants.

How much you can borrow and the type of rate you’ll get will all depend on your situation. Lenders will want to know the reason for needing the DRO, when the DRO was registered, how much money was involved, and when you were discharged. 

The more recent the DRO, and the more money was involved, the fewer options you’ll have. But if you’ve worked hard to keep a clean credit file following the DRO then that’ll work in your favour. 

We only do the tricky stuff at Haysto. Our Mortgage Experts are debt and bad credit mortgage specialists, with a proven track record of making mortgages possible for people who’ve been turned down elsewhere. They’ll look at your options and match you with the right lender for your needs. Make an enquiry and one of our experts will give you a call back. 

What is a debt relief order?

A debt relief order (DRO) is a way of dealing with your debts if you’re struggling to repay them. At the end of the DRO period, your debts will be written off and you won’t have to repay them. You’ll be restricted on borrowing and certain business activities during the DRO period.

A DRO will stay on your credit file for six years, after which it’ll be removed.

Can I get a mortgage while still in a DRO?

No, you can’t get a mortgage while you’re still in a DRO. But you also can’t take out a DRO while you have a mortgage! That’s because DROs are made for people who don’t have any assets that could be sold to pay off their debts.

While it can be frustrating, you’ll need to wait for the DRO period to finish (12 months) before applying for a mortgage. Your credit score will also have taken a hit, so it’s best to get expert advice if you’re looking to buy sooner rather than later.

If you’re ready to become a homeowner, you can use this time to get things in order and give yourself the best possible chance of being accepted. Read our step-by-step guide to getting mortgage-ready.

How soon after a DRO can I apply for a mortgage?

Most of the big banks and high street lenders will want your DRO to have dropped off your credit file (six years) before they’ll give you a mortgage. 

Six years is a long time in which anything can happen, so if you’re looking to get on the property ladder sooner rather than later, you’ll probably need to apply to a specialist lender. 

The longer-ago you were discharged from your DRO, the more options you’ll have available to you. It also helps to keep your credit file as clean as possible following the DRO as it’ll show lenders you’ve worked hard to improve your financial situation.

Some lenders might ask you to put down a bigger deposit, but that’s why it’s important to work with a mortgage broker who has experience with these types of cases. They’ll be able to identify the right lenders with a proven track record of helping people in similar situations.

How much can I borrow on a DRO mortgage

If you’ve been in a DRO, the amount you’ll be able to borrow will all depend on which lender you go to. Most lenders will only allow you to borrow up between 4-4.5 times your annual income. But it’s not just your earnings, mortgage lenders will also look at your outgoings to see if you could afford your monthly mortgage payments. The fewer financial commitments you have, the better. 

Can I get a mortgage with a restriction on my DRO?

If you breached any of the terms of your DRO while you were in it, you will have received a ‘restriction’, which can make things trickier when it comes to mortgage time. DRO restrictions are put in place to stop your debt becoming unmanageable.

If you need a mortgage with a restricted DRO, it’s best to speak to one of our Mortgage Experts. They’ll be able to look at your situation and work out the best options for you.