Mortgage application and available credit

[PancakeInMaBelly]

Hi
I keep reading that you're best closing your CC accounts or at least reducing the balance as AVAILABLE credit is a negative for mortgage lenders incase you spend it thus changing your affordability

But I want to keep my paid off CCs for emergencies/unforseen circumstances

How much available credit is acceptable, what is a rough threshold?

I have about £10K available on CCs (smaller amts spread across a few accounts)

Thanks

"Lenders like the balance you owe to be as small a percentage of credit available as possible. How many you have not relevant."

Thanks, I don't owe anything and have no loans. But apart from our deposit I only have a very small amount of cash savings, not quite 2 months salary.

I was granted a mortgage when I had credit card debt that I was still servicing. My most recent mortgage was approved although i have credit cards still open but with nothing owed. There are no issues with regularly services credit cards-it's when you have failed to pay them as you should have that they may become problematic. But if you are worried why not ask the mortgage company?

I reduced my credit card limit and it lowered my credit score

But if you are worried why not ask the mortgage company?I
I asked my broker, who said close/reduce all available credit. That doesn't sound right to me which is why I ask

"I reduced my credit card limit and it lowered my credit score"
The actual score/number isn't what they're looking at I'm lead to believe

I think basically it comes down to affordability. If you are borrowing well below what they would be happy to lend you then they're not going to be that worried because even if you used up a lot of your available credit you'd still be able to comfortably afford the mortgage. But if you're at the top end then the lender is likely to be more risk averse regarding the available credit you have.