Navigating Thin Credit Profiles With Specialist Lending: A LendInvest Case Study

(For Intermediaries Only)

For many aspiring homeowners, a less-than-perfect credit history remains the single biggest barrier to securing a mortgage. Traditional high-street banks often rely on rigid automated scoring, leading them to deny applications from those with missed payments, thin credit profiles, or non-standard income. This is where specialist lending becomes essential.

Research we conducted in the autumn of 2025 found that for those turned down for a mortgage application, 18% said their credit was the main reason. 

The survey of 1,000 UK adults looking to purchase or remortgage a home in the next 5 years also revealed that, due to the cost-of-living crisis, one-third (33%) believe that they will never own a home. 

In this landscape, specialist lending provides a vital alternative. Brokers who have an awareness of specialist lenders are better suited to be able to support their clients, even those with varying credit histories. 

At LendInvest, we understand that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to today’s modern home buyer. We’ve designed our credit criteria to allow for various missed and default payments, and we don’t consider missed utility or communication payments or defaults as adverse. 

The path to modern homeownership has evolved, and underwriting should too. That’s why we don’t factor in an applicant’s credit score, but rather their credit history. We’ll also factor in complex and unique employment and income structures, and we can offer bespoke products for key workers and professionals whose value isn’t reflected in only a credit score.

The Power of Specialist Lending: From Thin Credit Profile to a Premier Product

A broker approached us on behalf of their client, a school teacher looking to purchase a new home after a separation. 

Despite a strong deposit consisting of a family gift, personal savings and the sale of a previous property co-owned with her then partner, their relatively thin credit profile led to a low credit score that would have likely caused issues if they applied to a high street lender.

However, we underwrite based on credit histories, not scores. We were able to proceed with the case, and following the assessment, the client qualified for our Premier tier range of products. 

Through our use of Open Banking, we were able to verify income and deposits quickly. Not only that, we were able to rely on an AVM of the property at no cost to the client. 

In the end, we were able to support the applicant and provided a loan for £153k.

A residential mortgage from LendInvest could cut the complex for your clients

At LendInvest, we know that the definition of a “standard” borrower is an evolution, and we know that the financial histories of many aspiring borrowers are more complicated than the traditional lending models are equipped to support.

Based on feedback from brokers, we recently made enhancements to our residential lending criteria, including:

• Missed communications/utilities payments and defaults are no longer considered adverse
• We now accept 100% base pay for zero-hour contracts with a 12-month history
• The sale of mortgaged property is now an acceptable repayment vehicle for interest only loans (minimum £250k equity) 

No matter your client’s unique circumstances, we may be able to support their next successful home purchase or remortgage.

LendInvest plc is a public limited company registered in England and Wales (No. 8146929). Registered

Office: 4-8 Maple Street, London, W1T 5HD.

LendInvest Mortgages and LI Mortgages are registered trading names of LendInvest Loans Limited. LendInvest Loans Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN:737073). LendInvest Loans Limited is a company registered in England & Wales (Company No. 09971600) and is a wholly owned subsidiary of LendInvest plc.

Regulated lending is provided via LendInvest Loans Limited (Company No. 09971600). Unregulated lending is provided by LendInvest BTL Limited (Company No. 10845703) and LendInvest Bridge Limited (Company No. 11651573), which are wholly owned subsidiaries of LendInvest plc.

Borrowing through LendInvest and its affiliates involves entering into a mortgage contract secured against property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not repay your mortgage in full.