Written by George Sweeney Reviewed by Lee Trett
Sources
1 July 2026
First Published
If you’ve just had your mortgage application declined by Accord Mortgages, it’s completely normal to feel stressed and frustrated. Getting a rejection, especially if you’ve already set your heart on a property, can be incredibly deflating.
However, a decline from one lender doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a mortgage. Here, we explain exactly how Accord assesses applications, the most common reasons they reject borrowers, and the practical steps you can take to get your property purchase plans back on track.
Why would Accord decline a mortgage?
Accord Mortgages is a dedicated intermediary-only lender, meaning it accepts mortgage applications only through qualified mortgage brokers (rather than dealing directly with the public). They’re a subsidiary of the Yorkshire Building Society and have their own specific set of underwriting guidelines.
When Accord declines a mortgage, it simply means that your financial profile, employment situation, or property you wish to buy doesn’t align with its lending criteria. Usually, a decline from Accord happens because they uncover additional information during the full application process that they were not previously aware of.
Common reasons Accord declines a mortgage
Every mortgage lender has areas where they are stricter than others based on their lending appetite and preferences. Based on Accord's current lending criteria, here are five common trip hazards that frequently lead to declined applications:
1. Property type restrictions
Accord has a strict list of unacceptable property types. They will automatically decline certain non-standard constructions, shared ownership properties, and buildings that require extensive repairs before they’re considered liveable.
They will also refuse mortgages for various types of flats, including studio flats, flats with balcony access (accessed via a covered walkway), freehold flats, and new build flats where the loan-to-value (LTV) exceeds 90%.
2. Contractor income rules
While Accord is generally welcoming to contractors, they enforce specific rules and thresholds for various types of contract workers.
For example, day-rate contractors require a minimum income of £300 per day (or £50,000 per year) and a 6-month track record of contract work. With fixed-term contractors, you must have at least 12 months left on your current contract, or be able to prove a 12-month track record of contracting.
Also, zero-hours contractors must fall within a few specific professions (such as NHS nurses or supermarket workers) and have 12 months' evidence of sustainable income; otherwise, they will reject your application.
3. Age and loan term limits
Accord offers a maximum loan term of 40 years, but it has a specific rule regarding lending into retirement.
If your mortgage extends past your 70th birthday, the percentage of the mortgage term that occurs after age 70 must be less than 25% of the overall mortgage term.
4. Deposit structures and builder incentives
Accord is flexible with gifted deposits from family, provided the donor signs a letter confirming the deposit is a non-repayable gift with no claim on the property.
However, if you’re buying a new build property, Accord will decline the application if a builder or vendor cash incentive exceeds 5% of the property's purchase price.
5. Adverse credit
Accord's credit criteria can be a stumbling block for some applicants. They’re also strict about payday loans, accepting applicants only if the loan was settled at least 12 months ago. Also, they won’t accept applicants with a defaulted payday loan within the last 36 months.
With minor bad credit issues like missed payments, Accord will decline your application if you’ve more than one missed secured loan payment in the last 24 months.
For more severe issues like County Court Judgements (CCJs), they must be settled, and you can’t have had one registered in the last 6 years. Bankruptcy must also have been fully discharged for at least 6 years.
What to do if Accord has rejected you for a mortgage
Having a mortgage declined by Accord is a hurdle, but it’s rarely the end of the road. If Accord has rejected your application, follow these steps:
-
Don’t immediately reapply: Making multiple mortgage applications will show on your credit report that you’ve been applying for more credit in a short space of time; it can put off prospective lenders. Rushing into another application without fixing the underlying issue might also result in further rejections.
-
Find out the reason: Ask your mortgage broker to speak with the Accord underwriting team. The key thing is to understand the exact reason for the decline so you can address the issue before reapplying with Accord or finding a more suitable lender.
-
Check your credit reports: Download all your credit files from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Look for any errors, linked addresses, or missed payments that you might have forgotten about. Your broker can help you evaluate and address any mistakes or issues.
-
Speak to a specialist: A skilled broker wouldn’t have introduced you to Accord if they thought you would get declined. You should speak to a skilled and competent specialist broker who understands each lender’s criteria, meaning they’ll match you with the best lender for your specific financial profile and circumstances.
Get your mortgage back on track
Is Accord a strict mortgage lender?
Accord is generally considered a fairly lenient lender, but it depends on the area of criteria. While Accord can be strict in some areas - such as demanding strict track records for day-rate contractors and excluding many types of flats - they can actually be flexible in others.
For example, their willingness to accept up to two missed payments in the last 24 months (provided the latest payment was made) is slightly more lenient than some of their high-street competitors. They also accept 100% of the income from a second job and will completely disregard all probationary periods for employed applicants.
Ultimately, whether Accord is strict depends entirely on your individual financial profile and the property you’re trying to buy, which are unique to you.
Why choose Money Helpdesk for your mortgage needs?
Having a mortgage application declined by any lender can be incredibly stressful, but it’s crucial to take a step back, seek expert support, and then approach your mortgage lending more strategically.
Here’s why borrowers across the UK use Money Helpdesk when navigating a declined mortgage application:
-
Access to specialist mortgage advisors and lenders
-
Criteria matching with the most appropriate lender before you apply
-
Expert guidance on complex income, self-employment, and credit issues
-
Free initial chat with no obligation to proceed further
If you’ve been rejected by Accord or want to explore your borrowing options with an expert mortgage advisor, you can get started here.
FAQs
Yes, a lender can decline a mortgage even after granting an agreement in principle (AIP) or decision in principle (DIP).
An AIP or DIP is simply a preliminary assessment, and a decline usually happens because the lender uncovers additional information during the full application process that they were not previously aware of.
When you make a mortgage application, the lender will carry out a hard search on your credit report, which can lower your score temporarily.
However, the report will only state that you applied for a mortgage, not whether it was approved or declined. But, multiple applications will show up as repeated hard searches, which can be a red flag for future prospective lenders.
It depends entirely on the access type. Accord's criteria explicitly state that flats with balcony access (where the flat is accessed via an external covered walkway or deck) are classified as unacceptable properties, and applications will be declined.
You don’t always need to wait months to try again. If the decline was due to a simple criteria mismatch (such as builder incentives exceeding 5% or your mortgage term extending too far past age 70), a broker can often submit your application straight away to a more suitable lender.
However, it’s crucial that you get expert guidance to review your application and ensure you’re introduced to the right lender for your profile and needs.
A decision from Accord is always subject to a valuation of the property to be mortgaged. A down valuation means the surveyor's valuation is lower than the asking price.
If this happens, Accord may only be willing to lend a lower amount, meaning you’ll need to contribute a larger deposit to make up the shortfall or renegotiate the purchase price.