Missing a mortgage payment can make remortgaging harder, but it does not automatically mean every lender will say no. The outcome usually depends on what was missed, how recently it happened, and whether the account is now up to date. An older isolated late payment can be viewed very differently from ongoing mortgage arrears or several recent missed payments.
For UK homeowners, timing matters because lenders want evidence that the difficulty has passed and future payments are affordable. If you are considering a remortgage with missed payments, first find out exactly what appears on your credit files.
Can you remortgage after missing a mortgage payment?
Potentially, yes. Some lenders may consider an application where there have been missed payments, while others have stricter criteria. A lender will usually look beyond the fact that a payment was missed and assess the wider pattern.
Recent mortgage conduct is especially important because it relates directly to the borrowing you want to refinance. Current UK consumer guidance indicates that homeowners who are in mortgage arrears, or who have missed mortgage payments within the previous 12 months, can struggle to remortgage. That is not a universal ban, but recent problems can significantly narrow your options.
One late mortgage payment is also not necessarily the same as sustained arrears. The position becomes more serious when the shortfall continues, several payments are missed, or a repayment arrangement is still being used to clear what is owed.
What lenders are likely to look at
How recent the missed payment was
A payment missed last month is more likely to concern a lender than an isolated issue several years ago followed by a clean record. Late or missed payments can remain visible on a UK credit report for six years, although their effect may reduce as they age and newer positive payment history builds up.
What type of payment was missed
A lender may distinguish between a missed mortgage payment and a late payment on another account. Missed payments on credit cards, loans, overdrafts, utilities or mobile contracts can still matter, but mortgage arrears are particularly relevant because they relate to housing debt.
Whether the problem is resolved
An applicant who has cleared the shortfall and made every payment on time since may present a stronger case than someone who still has an outstanding payment shortfall. For a mortgage arrears remortgage, be ready to explain the current position accurately.
Your affordability and loan-to-value
Credit history is only part of the assessment. Lenders can also consider income, regular expenditure, existing debts, the mortgage amount and the loan-to-value ratio. More equity can reduce lending risk, but it does not erase recent missed payments.
Missed mortgage payments versus other missed credit payments
If the missed payment was on a credit card or personal loan rather than the mortgage, remortgaging may still be possible. A lender may consider how many payments were missed, the amounts involved, whether any account defaulted, and whether the issue looks isolated or part of wider financial pressure.
This is where an adverse credit remortgage can differ from a standard application. Some specialist lenders assess applicants with historic credit problems in more detail, although higher-risk products can carry higher rates or fees. Acceptance should therefore be considered alongside the total cost.
Useful related reading may include remortgaging with bad credit, how mortgage affordability works, and choosing between a product switch and a full remortgage.
A practical example: why timing can change the picture
Imagine a homeowner missed one mortgage payment eight months ago after changing jobs. The shortfall was cleared the following month, income is now stable, every mortgage payment since has been made on time, and no other debts are overdue. That may be viewed differently from a homeowner who has missed three recent mortgage payments and still has an unpaid shortfall.
The first homeowner could check all three credit files, confirm the mortgage account is reported correctly, and speak to a mortgage adviser before making a full application. The second may need to focus first on stabilising the mortgage account and discussing support with the existing lender.
Several full applications in a short period can create multiple hard searches. Applying selectively is more sensible than testing lenders one after another without first checking likely eligibility.
What to do before applying
Check your credit reports for incorrect balances, wrongly recorded late payments, outdated addresses or accounts you do not recognise. If a missed payment is accurate, you generally cannot remove it simply because it is inconvenient, but you can make sure the information is correct.
Keep current commitments up to date and avoid unnecessary new borrowing immediately before an application. A period of consistent payments can help show that an earlier problem was temporary. Make sure you can also account clearly for your income, debts and household expenditure.
If you are struggling to pay the mortgage, contact your lender early. UK lenders are expected to treat customers in payment difficulty fairly and consider appropriate support. Getting help before further payments are missed can be more useful than trying to remortgage while the situation is worsening.
Could staying with your current lender help?
A full remortgage often involves moving to a new lender and going through a fresh assessment. In some cases, switching product with the existing lender may be worth asking about, especially when you are not increasing the amount borrowed.
A current lender is not required to offer a better deal, and existing arrears still matter. Even so, checking available product-switch options can be useful if new-lender criteria are difficult to meet.
Frequently asked questions
How long do missed payments affect a remortgage?
Late and missed payments can stay on a UK credit report for six years. Lenders often pay particular attention to recent payment history, so an older isolated problem may be treated differently from a missed payment in the last few months.
Can I remortgage if I am currently in mortgage arrears?
It can be difficult. Current arrears indicate an unresolved payment shortfall, and many lenders will be cautious. Speak to your existing lender about support and consider regulated mortgage or debt advice before making new applications.
Will one missed credit-card payment stop me remortgaging?
Not necessarily. Lenders use their own criteria and consider the full credit profile, affordability and circumstances. One historic missed payment may be less significant than repeated recent problems, but acceptance is never guaranteed.
Should I apply to several lenders to see who accepts me?
It is generally better to check your credit files and likely eligibility first. Multiple full applications can leave several hard searches, so targeted applications are preferable to repeatedly applying without understanding each lender’s criteria.
Final thoughts
You can sometimes remortgage with missed payments, but the details matter more than the label. Recent mortgage arrears, unresolved shortfalls and repeated missed payments can narrow your options, while an older isolated problem followed by a stable payment record may be viewed more favourably.
Check what lenders will actually see, correct any errors, keep current commitments up to date and consider advice before applying. If the mortgage itself is already in difficulty, dealing with the payment problem should come before trying to force a new application.