What will a lender need to know?

Prepare the information that helps a lender or adviser understand your circumstances. You do not need to send documents to this platform.

Income and commitments

• Evidence of pay and any regular variable income; ask how overtime, bonuses or benefits will be treated.
• For self-employment, ask which accounts, tax documents or trading history the lender requires. Requirements vary.
• A full list of loans, cards, childcare, dependants and other regular commitments.
• Bank statements and explanations of any changes in your situation.

Deposit and credit

Document the source of savings or a gift, and be clear if any money must be repaid. Check credit reports for errors and explain problems before submitting applications. A headline credit score is not the lender’s complete decision.

Ask a specific question

“For this home price and deposit, is this loan realistic given my income and commitments? What evidence or change would you need before checking?”

An agreement or decision in principle (an initial indication of possible lending, not a mortgage offer) is not a mortgage (a loan secured on your home) offer. Ask whether a check leaves a soft or hard credit search and what conditions still apply.