Getting a mortgage when your partner has debt – what you need to know

If your partner has debt, you might be worried about how it’ll affect your chances of getting a mortgage together. The good news? Their debt won’t automatically hurt your credit score. But lenders will look at both your finances if you apply for a mortgage as a couple.

Here’s what you need to know – and what you can do if their debt might be a problem.

Does my partner’s debt affect our mortgage application?

Yes, it can. When you apply for a mortgage together, lenders check:

✅ Your joint income – how much you earn together
✅ Your outgoings – including rent, bills, and debts
✅ Your credit histories – any missed payments, loans, or defaults

If your partner has a lot of debt, lenders might see you as a bigger risk. This could mean you’re offered a smaller mortgage or higher interest rates.

Can you get a mortgage with debt?

Yes, but it depends on how much debt you have and whether it’s manageable alongside a mortgage. Lenders don’t expect you to be completely debt-free, but they do assess how your existing repayments affect affordability.

When reviewing your application, they’ll look at:

✅ Your debt-to-income ratio – how much of your income goes towards repaying debt each month
 ✅ Your payment history – whether you’ve kept up with repayments or had any missed payments
 ✅ Your total outstanding debt – including credit cards, loans, and car finance

If your debt levels are high or you’ve struggled to make repayments in the past, lenders might:

🔴 Offer you a smaller mortgage
🔴 Charge you higher interest rates
🔴 Limit the types of mortgage deals you’re eligible for

So, while having debt doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting a mortgage, it can impact the amount you can borrow and the terms of your loan. The key is ensuring your debt is under control and manageable within your budget.

Am I responsible for my partner’s debt?

You are only responsible for your partner’s debt if it’s in both of your names. If you have joint loans or credit cards, you’re both legally responsible for repaying it.

If the debt is in your partner’s name alone, you won’t be liable for it. Even if the debt is only in their name, it could still affect your mortgage chances if it limits how much they can contribute to repayments.

What does ‘joint and several liability’ mean?

If you share debt with your partner, you are both legally responsible for paying it off—even if only one of you is using the credit. So, if your partner stops making payments, you could be asked to cover the full amount.

Will my partner’s debt affect my credit score?

No, your partner’s debt won’t impact your credit score unless you have existing joint borrowing. Your credit histories remain separate unless you apply for credit together.

Your credit score may be affected if:

 ✅ You take out a joint loan, mortgage or overdraft – this creates a financial link between you.
 ✅ You become financially associated with your partner – lenders may check their credit history when assessing your applications.

Your credit score won’t be affected if:
 ❌ Your partner’s debt is in their name only.
 ❌ You’ve never taken out any joint credit agreements.

If you’re planning to get a mortgage together, it’s worth checking both of your credit reports in advance. This way, you can spot any issues and work on improving them before applying.

How can we improve our chances of getting a mortgage?

If your partner’s debt might make things tricky, here are some ways to boost your chances:

💡 Pay off as much debt as possible – Even small overpayments can help. The less debt you have, the more lenders are willing to offer.

💡 Check your credit scores – You can get a free report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. If there are mistakes, fix them before you apply.

💡 Be honest with your mortgage lender – Hiding debt won’t help! Some lenders are more flexible than others, so it’s worth shopping around.

💡 Speak to a mortgage broker – They can find lenders who are more likely to approve you, even if one of you has debt.

💡 Apply in one name – If your partner’s debt is a big issue, you might be better off applying for the mortgage alone.

Applying for a mortgage in one name

If your partner's debt is a big issue, you might be better off applying for the mortgage alone. This is only an option if you or the person applying has a high enough income and good credit.

When to consider a sole application:

• When one partner has significant debt that would severely limit borrowing power
• If one partner has recent defaults, CCJs, or bankruptcy on their record
• When one person's income is sufficient to secure the necessary mortgage amount

Things to keep in mind before applying alone:

• Affordability calculations: Lenders typically offer 4-4.5 times your annual salary for a single applicant, compared to potentially higher multiples for joint applications
• Legal ownership: Even if the mortgage is in one name, you can still have both names on the property deed as "joint tenants" or "tenants in common"
• Future refinancing: You can often add the second person to the mortgage later when their financial situation improves
• Protection planning: Since everything rests on one person's income, life and income protection insurance becomes even more important

Potential drawbacks:

• Reduced borrowing power compared to using two incomes
• The sole applicant bears all legal responsibility for mortgage payments
• May create relationship tension if one partner feels left out of the financial arrangement

A mortgage broker can help assess whether this approach makes sense for your specific situation and guide you through the legal and practical considerations.

Can we still get a mortgage if my partner has bad credit?

Yes, but it might be harder. If your partner has things like defaults, County Court Judgments (CCJs), or a history of missed payments, you might:

• Need a bigger deposit
• Be offered higher interest rates
• Have fewer mortgage options

A mortgage broker can help you find lenders who accept couples with bad credit. You might also want to wait a while and work on improving your credit scores before applying.

While your partner’s debt or credit history can impact your mortgage application, there are always options. Whether you improve your finances together or apply alone, the key is planning ahead and seeking expert advice if needed.