The situation
A bankruptcy typically stays on your credit file for six years from the date it was registered, and mainstream lenders often decline applications from anyone with one recorded, discharged or not. Specialist lenders exist specifically for this situation and focus more on your current income, stability and time since discharge than on the bankruptcy itself.
What tends to help
- The longer it's been since discharge, and the cleaner your conduct since then, the stronger your application will look to a specialist lender.
- Be upfront about the bankruptcy on your application — lenders will see it on your credit file regardless, and inconsistency looks worse than the bankruptcy itself.
- A larger deposit reduces the amount a lender is exposed to and can meaningfully improve your chances.
- Rebuilding some positive credit history since discharge (even a small credit-builder product) can support a stronger application.
Lenders worth checking
Based on published eligibility criteria and lender positioning — always check current terms directly, as criteria change.