When you apply for a mortgage in the UK with a bank or other type of lender, they will need to be able to trust that you can make the repayments. Before they approve your application, they will require various forms of paperwork to prove you are who you say you are.
Different lenders will ask for different documentation, making it difficult to know exactly what you might need. We’ve compiled a list of all the paperwork lenders may potentially require, so that you can be prepared before you start the process.
The documentation needed fits into 3 main categories:
- Proof of ID
- Proof of Income
- Proof of Expenses
Essentially, they need to know who you are, how much you make and how much you spend.
Proof of ID
To submit a mortgage application, your lender will need to know who you are and where you live. To prove this, you may need the following documents:
Current photo passport or drivers’ licence
Remember that this should have your current address on, to avoid complications. Make sure you check the expiry date – you can’t use an expired form of ID.
Most recent utility bill (gas/electric etc)
Remember to show the full bill and not just the summary page. These are hard to get hold of in a digital age, so you may need to download them, or request a paper copy from your provider.
Bank statement or credit card bill
Must be dated within the last 3 months.
Remember that all these documents should have consistent information, such as the spelling of your name and address. This way they will be more trustworthy for the lender to use as evidence.
If you’re buying with someone else and you already live together, you’ll need their name to be on at least one of the utility bills too.
Top tip: Get multiple copies of these documents as your conveyancing solicitors will also need them. You may need to get them certified by a professional or at the
post office.
Proof of Income
In order to submit a mortgage application, your lender will require knowledge of your income in order to know what you can afford. Depending on the type of income you receive, you may need different kinds of paperwork
If you are in PAYE employment:
Payslips
These must be no more than three months old (up to 6 weeks if you are paid weekly) and feature both your name and your employers name, payment date, net pay and gross pay.
If you have recently started a new job, or haven’t been at your role very long, they may want to see P60 documents to prove you have been in work.
If you are self-employed:
Self-assessed tax return forms (SA302) and tax year overviews
These forms can be requested from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and must both represent the same period of time, no later than the last 2 years.
An accountant’s certificate
This can be provided by your bank or lender and must be filled in by a suitably qualified UK accountant.
If you have other/additional sources of income:
P60 and/or 3 month’s payslips
Use these as evidence of bonuses, overtime and commission.
Most recent HMRC letter
Use these as evidence of child benefits and working/child tax credits.
Most recent Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) letter
Use this as evidence of state pensions and state benefits.
Letter from local authority
Use this as evidence of income from fostering, it should state the number of children and how long you have been fostering for.
Pension payslip
Use this as evidence of a private pension or annuity.
Proof of Expenses
As well as knowledge of your income, your lender will also need an idea of your outgoing expenses before approving your application.
This is because regular payments such as school fees, travel etc. may have an impact on what you can afford to can repay monthly.
To show this information they will need:
Bank statement
This must be dated within the last 2 months, be fully legible and not be amended in any way. They will likely need to see your full statement with your correct name and address and a running balance.
Remember that they may wish to ask you about any purchases or incomes that seem unusual or unclear, so be prepared to potentially talk about things that may be sensitive for you. This information is confidential and should not be shared with anyone by your lender.
Be prepared for your mortgage application
You will potentially need to provide a large amount of paperwork when applying for a mortgage. In order to make this as easy as possible, check names on utility bills, ensure all your ID is up to date and be prepared to make multiple copies. Similarly, ensuring you have set up online banking and accessing your payslips online will make things easier.
It is also important to remember that, as you are applying for a mortgage in the UK, all this documentation should be provided in English, any that are not will need to be translated by a recognized translation service and marked as such. A useful translation service provider that also
offers interpreting equipment is A Bridge Between Nations.
Find out more about certifying a document.
Talk to a mortgage broker
Applying for a mortgage can be a complicated process if you’ve never done it before, but you can always talk to a mortgage broker to get advice on what the best options are for you. If you’ve got all your paperwork ready in advance, your application process is likely to be much smoother.
Learn more about mortgages by speaking to an expert mortgage broker like Mortgage Advice Bureau.
Mortgage application documents FAQs
Can you get a mortgage without 3 months payslips?
Most lenders will require that you provide at least 3 months worth of payslips.
However, if you have just started a new job, you may not have this to provide. Some lenders will accept a permanent contract as proof of income, but many lenders will require at least one payslip from your new job.
What are red flags on bank statements?
Some things that might flag up on your bank statements are:
- Frequent betting or gambling
- Pay day loans
- Frequent overdrafts
- Large or frequent unexplained transfers
What can stop you from getting a mortgage?
As well as red flags on your bank statements, there are other factors that can stop you from getting a mortgage. If you do not earn enough, if you have a bad credit score, or if you are not in stable employment can also stop lenders from approving a mortgage.
Do mortgage lenders look at all bank accounts?
Mortgage lenders will usually require that you disclose all bank accounts. They will want to see your main current account to assess your spending habits and will also want to see your savings accounts to show where your deposit is coming from.
Updated May 2024