What is a good credit score for a mortgage?
Each UK credit reference agency labels its scores with bands such as fair, good and excellent. This guide explains what those bands mean for a mortgage application and why lenders look beyond them.
Reviewed by David Sampson, Founder & Director · Created 20 October 2026 · Last reviewed 20 October 2026
TL;DR
- •Good and excellent are agency labels, not lender pass marks.
- •Each agency uses its own scale and bands.
- •A good score usually reflects on-time payments and moderate credit use.
- •Lenders still check affordability, deposit and the property.
What counts as a good credit score?
What counts as good depends on the agency. Experian treats 861 to 1,000 as good on its 0 to 1,250 scale, Equifax treats 531 to 670 as good on its 0 to 1,000 scale, and TransUnion treats 653 to 785 as good on its new 0 to 999 scale (credit reference agencies, accessed 20 Oct 2026).
These bands are set by the agencies to help consumers understand their file. Lenders do not publish matching thresholds, so a good band is a sign that the file reads well rather than a promise of approval.
Does a good credit score help with a mortgage?
A good credit score usually reflects a history of on-time payments, sensible use of available credit and few recent applications. Lenders tend to view these files as lower risk, which can mean a wider choice of mainstream lenders and products, and fewer questions from underwriters during the application.
The score itself is not what the lender sees. Each lender builds its own score from the file data, so the underlying history matters more than the band shown in an app.
Is a fair credit score good enough?
A fair or average score does not rule out a mortgage. Many applicants in these bands are accepted, particularly where the file shows no recent missed payments or defaults, income is steady and the deposit is reasonable. What drags the score down matters more than the label attached to it.
A fair score caused by a short credit history is viewed differently from one caused by recent arrears. The guide to mortgages with no credit history covers thin files.
Refused a mortgage with an excellent credit score
An excellent score does not guarantee a mortgage. Lenders can decline an application because of affordability, the type of income, the property, the loan-to-value, a mismatch between the application and the file, or their own internal scoring, none of which appears in an agency score. Lenders are not required to explain their scoring.
An applicant who is declined can ask the lender which agency it used, check that file for errors and consider whether another lender's criteria fit better before applying again.
Is there an ideal score to aim for?
There is no ideal number that unlocks every mortgage. A practical aim is a file with no missed payments in recent years, balances well below limits, registration on the electoral roll and no cluster of recent applications. These are the features lenders' own scoring tends to reward, whichever agency they use.
How a score relates to the interest rate offered is covered in the guide to credit scores and mortgage rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good credit score for a mortgage in the UK?
It depends on the agency scale. Lenders use their own scoring rather than agency bands.
Is a fair credit score enough for a mortgage?
Often, yes, depending on what is behind the score and on affordability.
Can I be refused a mortgage with an excellent score?
Yes. Affordability, the property or a lender's own scoring can still lead to a decline.
Do all lenders use the same credit score?
No. Each lender builds its own score from credit file data.
Does a higher score mean a lower rate?
Not directly, but a cleaner file can open up more products.
How long does a good credit history take to build?
It builds over time through regular, on-time payments.
Resources
Important: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial advice.Always verify details directly and seek independent advice before making financial decisions.