A mortgage after a debt relief order.
A DRO is a formal insolvency procedure, so it narrows the field. But it is short, the debts are written off at the end, and once it is behind you the question becomes how long ago, not whether.
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What a DRO is
A debt relief order is for people with low income, few assets and debts below a set limit. According to GOV.UK, it lasts 12 months, you stop paying the debts it covers, and you do not have to pay them after that. You apply through an approved debt adviser, not on your own.
One eligibility rule matters here: GOV.UK says DROs are for people who do not own their home. So a mortgage after a DRO is almost always a first purchase, not a remortgage.
During the 12 months
This is not the time. GOV.UK lists restrictions while a DRO is in force, including that you cannot borrow more than £500 without telling the lender about the DRO. In practice, mortgage lenders will not consider an application while one is running.
After it ends
The DRO stays on your credit file for six years from when it was made. Lenders tend to treat it like other formal insolvency, such as an IVA or bankruptcy: specialist lenders may consider an application once it has ended, with weight on how long ago, what has happened since and the size of your deposit. As the years pass, more lenders come into view.
What helps
A clean record since the DRO ended: bills paid, any new credit kept small and managed perfectly. Being on the electoral roll. A deposit saved steadily, which a lender can see on statements. And the paperwork showing the DRO's dates, so there is no guessing about when it started and finished.
The usual questions
Can I get a mortgage during a debt relief order?
Realistically, no. Lenders will not consider it while the order is running, and GOV.UK lists borrowing restrictions during it.
How long does a DRO stay on my credit file?
Six years from when it was made.
Do I have to wait the full six years?
Not necessarily. Some specialist lenders will look sooner, depending on what has happened since and your deposit.
Does talking to you affect my file?
No. There is no credit search to talk.
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