How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage

Your credit score plays a major role in whether you qualify for a mortgage and what interest rate you’ll receive. Even a small improvement in your score before applying can save you thousands of pounds over the life of your loan.

If you’re planning to buy a home in the near future, here are practical, proven steps you can take to improve your credit score and strengthen your mortgage application.

Why Your Credit Score Matters for a Mortgage

Lenders use your credit score to evaluate how reliably you’ve managed debt in the past. Generally:

• Higher credit score = better interest rates and loan options
• Lower credit score = higher rates, stricter requirements, or possible denial

Most mortgage lenders look at the middle score of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).

1. Check Your Credit Reports for Errors

Before doing anything else, review your credit reports from all three platforms. Look for:

• Incorrect balances
• Accounts that don’t belong to you
• Late payments reported in error
• Old collections that should have fallen off

Fixing errors can boost your score quickly, sometimes within 30–60 days

2. Pay All Bills on Time (No Exceptions)

Payment history is the largest factor in your credit score.

Tips:

• Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due
• Avoid skipping payments, even once
• Catch up on any past-due accounts as soon as possible

Even one late payment within 12 months can hurt your mortgage approval chances.

3. Reduce Credit Card Balances Strategically

Credit utilization (how much of your available credit you’re using) matters a lot.

Best practices:

• Keep balances below 30% of each card’s limit
• Ideally, aim for 10–20% utilization for maximum score benefit
• Pay cards down instead of closing them

4. Avoid Opening or Closing Accounts

Before applying for a mortgage:

• Don’t open new credit cards
• Don’t take out auto loans or personal loans
• Don’t close old accounts (this can shorten your credit history)

Lenders want to see stability, not sudden changes.

Don’t Apply for New Credit

Each hard inquiry can temporarily lower your score.

This includes:

• Credit cards
• Store financing
• “No interest for 12 months” offers
• Co-signing for someone else

Even if you’re approved, new credit can impact your debt-to-income ratio

Pay Down Collections (the Right Way)

Collections don’t all affect your score the same way, and paying them off incorrectly can sometimes hurt instead of help.

Before paying:

• Talk to a mortgage professional
• Ask about pay-for-delete options
• Prioritize collections that affect mortgage scoring models

7. Give Yourself Enough Time

Credit improvement doesn’t happen overnight, but even 60–90 days can make a meaningful difference.

Typical improvement timeline:

• Errors corrected: 30–45 days
• Balance reductions: 1–2 billing cycles
• Consistent payments: ongoing improvement

Improving your credit score before applying for a mortgage is one of the smartest moves you can make as a homebuyer. With a little planning and guidance, you can qualify for better rates, lower payments, and a smoother approval process.

Sources 

Mortgage Bridge – 2025 Guide to Boost Your Credit Score Before a Mortgage

Finsso Financial – How to Improve Your Credit Score Before a Mortgage (UK)

ClearCreditUK – Improve Your Credit Score (2025)