Learning how to apply for a mortgage might seem scary but there’s nothing to be frightened of. In fact, the only shock you might get is discovering it’s easier than you think.
You just need to follow a few steps, which we’ll walk you through below. You’ll learn what to do, the documents to keep handy and how long it could all take.
You’ll also find out what happens next, which could be you strolling into your new home with a big smile on your face.
Sounds frighteningly easy, right?
Before you apply
First off, check your credit score with one of the big 3 credit reference agencies. You credit rating could affect how lenders see you. So it’s worth making sure all their info on you is up to date. If something looks wrong, you can raise a dispute with them.
Saving in advance for a deposit could also help. If you can put down more, it might make it easier to get lower mortgage interest rates.
Think hard about what you can afford too. Our mortgage calculators can help here. They’ll show you how much you could borrow and what a mortgage with us might look like. You can compare mortgage rates, work out how much deposit you need, and see how overpayments and additional borrowing might work out. It’s a bit nerdy but you can learn a lot doing this.
Think about the kind of mortgage you want
Before you start pondering application forms and deposits, figure out the type of mortgage you might want. There are 2 common types you’ll come across.
Fixed rate means your interest rate stays the same for a set time, so you know exactly what you’ll pay each month.
Tracker rate means your rate will follow the Bank of England base rate, so your monthly payments could go up or down.
Next up, think about what your ideal ‘mortgage term’ could be. In other words, how quickly you want to pay off the loan. These are big decisions so it might be worth speaking to a mortgage adviser or broker first.
Talk to a mortgage adviser or broker
If you chat with one of our mortgage advisers – they’re all helpful and won’t bite – they’ll give you free advice on which one of our mortgages suits you best. A mortgage broker will give you advice too. So it’s a good idea to talk to one if you’re new to all this.
If you apply for a mortgage online with us, you won’t get any advice when you choose a deal. You need to be comfortable that you understand your options. But you can always call us later if you change your mind.
Whichever option you go for, you’ll get a mortgage illustration which shows you what your monthly payments and fees will be. This gives you a very handy breakdown.
Get all your documents ready
You’ll need to dig out the following documents before you apply for a mortgage. Then they’ll be easy to grab when you need them.
To help you prove your ID and income:
- your passport or driving licence
- bank statements for 3 months
- proof of any benefits
- payslips from the last 3 months
- your P60 form if you’re employed
- your last 2-3 years’ accounts if you’re self-employed.
And these will be useful to have when you’re asked about your outgoings:
- utility bills
- insurance documents
- any childcare costs
- credit card statements
- any other loans or household bills.
These are just the basics, so don’t be surprised if lenders ask you to rummage around your filing cabinet for more.
And don’t forget this handy hint when you’re applying for a mortgage: never round figures up or down on your application form. Use the exact figures these documents say, or it might hold things up later. You should also tell the lender about any credit problems up front.
How to apply for a mortgage: the main steps
Now we move to the main part of how to apply for a mortgage: the actual application itself. There are 2 steps to tick off: getting a decision in principle (DIP) and then making a full mortgage application.
Getting a decision in principle (DIP)
This is the easier bit. You can get a DIP online, it only takes around 10-20 mins, and you’ll get a decision instantly. You just give a lender some basic information about you and your finances. Then they’ll let you know if they could lend you the amount you need.
Although a decision in principle isn’t a final decision, it’s a good early sign of whether you could get a mortgage and how much you might be able to borrow. Although you’ll only find out for sure after a lender’s full checks, getting a DIP is a really good first step. And it shows estate agents that you’re a serious buyer when you’re house hunting.
By the way, don’t give up if your DIP’s declined. Just give us a call. If you ask to borrow less, change your mortgage term, or put down a bigger deposit then we might be able to help after all. If at first you don’t succeed, and all that.
Submit a full mortgage application
Once you’ve got your DIP, it’s time to go house hunting. So get on the property websites, ring around estate agents and book some viewings. Once you’ve found somewhere that ticks your boxes, it’s time to make an offer. Then you wait, nervously, to see if the seller accepts. Fingers crossed!
Once you’ve agreed a price on a home, and you know exactly how much you need to borrow, it’s time to make a full mortgage application. If you’re wondering ‘how long does a mortgage application take’, this is the most time-consuming bit.
You can either make the application yourself or save time by getting a mortgage adviser or broker to do it for you. If you apply yourself, you can do it online or over the phone. You’ll need to grab the documents we mentioned earlier (possibly a few more) and go through your financial and personal info in depth. If you do this over the phone with us, it usually takes around 45 mins on average.
Lenders want to make sure you can pay back what you’d like to borrow. So they’ll delve into your income, regular spending commitments, and any debts you’ve got. They’ll also do a hard credit search, which records that you’ve applied to borrow money, and check whether you’ve missed payments or got any county court judgements (CCJs). Basically, it’s a full financial MOT.
Although this might sound like a lot, it helps lenders work out whether you’ll be able to afford the payments. And this can only be a good thing.
Quick note: other lenders will be able to see a hard search on your credit file and it could affect your ability to borrow money.
What lenders usually check during a mortgage application
Firstly, they’ll check your age. You’ll need to be over 18 to apply for a mortgage. It’s grown-ups only. Some lenders have upper age limits too. And others will want you to pay all the money back by the time you’re around 75.
When it comes to money, they’ll look at your household income including your salary and any other income including benefits, bonuses, and commissions. They’ll look at your regular monthly payments like loans and credit cards too.
Lenders will also look at your credit history for the last 6 years to see if you’ve any missed payments or defaulted on loans. Finally, they’ll do stress tests to see if you can still afford your mortgage if circumstances change. For example, if interest rates go up, you have a child, or hear the golf course calling and retire.
Want even more info? Then check out the Citizen’s Advice guide to what lenders look for.
After the application
Unless your lender or your broker contacts you for more information, your bit’s done at this point. Plenty will be happening in the background though.
Your lender will organise a valuation. This confirms the home’s suitable for a mortgage based on what you're paying for it. Once the lender’s got the valuation report back, they’ll be ready to decide if they can accept your application. So hold your breath and hope for good news. Will you get the green light? Here’s hoping.
We should quickly mention that the valuation isn’t the same as a survey. In a survey, a surveyor will inspect the home inside out and point out any defects. The valuation’s different. You won’t get feedback about any problems, but your lender will factor in any essential work the home needs before they decide whether to lend to you. It could be worth sorting out a separate survey too, so you don’t get any nasty surprises when you move in.
How long does a mortgage application take?
Long waits can be agony. But you should get an offer in around 7 days if you’re accepted. It depends on what checks the lender needs to do and if they want you to send them any more documents.
The following could also slow things down:
- missing or incomplete documents
- complicated affordability checks
- the home’s unusual or hard to value
- the valuation comes back lower than expected
- tracking down paperwork for gifted deposits
- inconsistencies in the credit report
- busy periods and bottlenecks.
Your application could also take more time if you’re self-employed, your income goes up and down a lot or you’ve changed jobs recently.
What happens next?
This depends on whether your application’s been approved (woohoo) or declined (boohoo). But either way, your lender will let you know about the next steps.
If it’s bad news, you’ll usually hear why. Then you can try to put things right and apply again. Maybe you need a bigger deposit, a lower loan amount, or a longer term? Or perhaps some of your documents didn’t check out or there was a problem with your credit score.
If you were approved, congrats! You’ll get a formal mortgage offer by email, post or both. Then you’ll have a 7-day period to think things over. This gives you a chance to check the offer and decide whether to go ahead.
Your offer will usually include key info like the amount borrowed, your interest rate, mortgage term, plus the terms and conditions. There’ll be a list of costs and account fees too. Look out for conditional charges and early repayment penalties. And don’t forget that some brokers might charge you a fee.
If you decide to go ahead, you’ll need a solicitor or conveyancer to begin the legal work so you’re ready to buy your new pad. They’ll do land searches, see if there are restrictions on the property, and tell you about any restrictive covenants – these are rules that say, ‘You own the home but can’t do X, Y and Z with it.’
You'll also need to arrange buildings insurance to start on the day you exchange contracts. This is when you become legally responsible for your new home.
It’s a good idea to have your solicitor or conveyancer lined up in advance. They’ll also let your lender know your completion date – the day the home becomes yours – so the mortgage money’s sent to the seller’s side at the right time. Please bear in mind that the home-buying process works differently in Scotland.
What happens next? You become a homeowner. So get the party poppers ready.
Job done
So that’s it. You now know how to apply for a mortgage. It starts with preparation, involves a decision in principle and full mortgage application in the middle, and ends with credit checks, a valuation and thinking time.
If you want to know more about things like house hunting, exchange, completion, conveyancing, packing or removals, you’ll find plenty more info in our Home Moving Guide and First Time Buyer Hub. You could even check out the government website.
And remember, if the whole process is freaking you out, simply speak to a mortgage adviser or broker. They’ll explain your options, help you choose the right loan, and get your application over the line.
Applying for a mortgage doesn’t have to be scary. But a professional can hold your hand if you want them to.
This content was accurate when published on 30/09/26
Want top tips and tools to help you save for your first pad? Check out My First Home. Then, when you’re ready to move, My Home Manager in our mobile app can help you book a survey, sort your removals, and find energy and broadband deals.