Deposit and proof of funds
Your deposit isn’t just a number — the lender needs to see where it came from. That usually means several months of bank statements showing savings building up, or a letter and evidence if part of it is a gift from family. If you’ve moved money between accounts, be ready to explain the trail. Anti-money laundering rules are strict; “it was in cash” rarely cuts it without a clear paper path.
Work out your true deposit early: savings plus gift, minus stamp duty and legal fees if you’re paying those from the same pot. That shapes what loan-to-value band you’re in — and the rates you’re quoted.
ID and proof of address
You’ll need valid photo ID (passport or driving licence) and usually two proofs of address dated within the last three months — council tax, utility bills, bank statements. Use the same name you’ll use on the mortgage application; if you’ve recently married or changed name, tie up the documents before you apply.
Income evidence
If you’re employed, that’s typically your last three payslips and P60 (or last two years if you’ve changed jobs or earn variable pay). Bonuses and overtime may need a longer track record — lenders don’t always take 100% of variable income.
If you’re self-employed, you’ll need accounts or SA302s / tax year overviews and often bank statements. The story has to match: declared profit, money in the bank, and what you’re drawing. I cover the self-employed angle in more depth in our self-employed mortgage guide.
Bank statements
Expect to show three to six months of current account statements — sometimes more. Lenders look for regular committed spending, gambling spikes, payday loans, or unpaid overdrafts. It’s not about judging your lifestyle; it’s stress-testing whether you can afford the mortgage after life happens. Tidy up what you can before application: clear overdrafts where possible, and don’t take on new credit in the run-up without talking to an adviser first.
Credit file
Before you apply, check your credit reports with all main agencies — missed addresses or old defaults you’d forgotten about can derail an application. You don’t need a perfect score, but you do need to know what’s on file so we can place you with a lender that fits your profile. If something’s wrong, fix it with the agency before you go to underwriting.
Agreement in principle — mindset
An AIP is a useful shopping tool, not a guarantee. Have your deposit figure, income evidence and rough purchase price in mind before you request one. Multiple hard searches in a short window can look messy; I’ll help you approach this in the right order so you’re not accidentally harming your file.
This guide is general information, not personal advice. Every lender is different. If you want a checklist matched to your situation, get started and we’ll map it out together.