Some credit companies will keep the credit file agencies updated on how often payments are made to them. This will show whether payments are made on time or late of one month, two months and so on.
Credit companies who search the records of a potential new client will take these into consideration. Their line of thought is that if you have not kept up regular payments on a previous loan or mortgage, how can they expect you to keep up repayments to them. When previous mortgage payments do not show on a credit file record in this way, mortgage lenders will nearly always want to see proof that you have paid your previous mortgage or rent on time. The lenders who specialise in providing mortgages for people with bad credit registered against them, may accept either limited mortgage arrears or even unlimited missed payments, depending on the package they offer and your circumstances.