My mortgage lender said I did not qualify for a mortgage because I had a debt settlement. The loan officer told me that mortgage lenders consider debt settlement the same as bankruptcy. Some mortgage lender consider debt settlement worse than bankruptcy because with bankruptcy, you cannot file another bankruptcy after seven to ten years after a discharge. However, with debt settlement, the consumer is a walking time bomb and can file bankruptcy anytime after the debt settlement. Is this true? I should have never done a debt settlement if I am treated like a dead beat. I tried to be a responsible person and pay my debts with debt settlement. How long does a debt settlement on your credit report.