How Habito can help

Habito is a digital mortgage broker, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We help you compare mortgages from a range of lenders and, if you want, get support from a qualified mortgage broker.

Mortgage availability and acceptance will always depend on your individual circumstances and the lender’s criteria.

When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will ask for documents to prove things like your identity, address and spending habits. Lenders want to make sure you can pay back the loan they give you, and that you’re not a fraudster. Having these documents ready won’t guarantee your mortgage will be approved, but it does help lenders build a clear picture of your finances and assess your application properly.

You usually won’t have to post your documents over – you can send high quality scans instead. Lenders don’t always accept photos of documents so it’s safer to use a scanner, and you can usually find one at work, in your local library or at your estate agent’s office. Or you can use an app like CamScanner to take high quality scans with your phone’s camera.

There are three types of documents you’ll need:

  • Proof of ID - who you are
  • Proof of income - how much you earn
  • Proof of your regular costs - what you spend

Here’s a list of the minimum information you’ll need to provide, though different lenders will ask for different things.

ID documents

Passport or driving licence

  • Passport ideally, though lenders will also accept a full UK driving licence showing your current address
  • If you don’t have a British or EU passport, or a passport from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Lichtenstein, lenders will also want to see your residency card or visa. (Also see How to get a mortgage as a foreign national.)

Proof of name and address

  • Bank statement showing your name and address, usually needs to be dated within the previous 3 months
  • Council tax statement for the current year
  • Utility bill from the last 3 months, which can be water, landline internet, electricity and gas bills (but not a mobile phone bill)

Proof of income and deposit

  • Your last 3 payslips
  • Your last 3 bank statements (some lenders may ask for longer), showing your name and address
  • If you’re self-employed, your last 2 or 3 years of tax returns and tax year overviews (or however many you do have if it’s less than 3 years’ worth). You can print these from your online account or contact HMRC
  • Proof of other types of income, like benefits, bonuses and rental income
  • Proof of your deposit (like a bank statement)
  • If your deposit is a gift, you’ll need a letter from the person giving it to you confirming they don’t expect to be repaid

Proof of your spending

Lenders will want to know you can afford to make the monthly repayments on your mortgage. So they need to know what you have to pay on other debts each month. That includes things like:

  • Credit cards
  • Personal loans
  • Car finance
  • Hire purchase agreements
  • Student loans
  • If you have a mortgage already, to remortgage you’ll need your latest mortgage statement showing the rate you’re on and when it finishes
  • If you have other properties, like rental properties, lenders will want to know about the mortgage balance, mortgage payment and monthly rental income

Get your documents accepted first time

Making sure your mortgage application goes smoothly can mean walking into your new home that bit sooner.

When you’re scanning your documents, make sure all the information is visible - for example, sort codes and account numbers, the address, any company logo.

Check that the documents you submit all spell your name consistently - your identity is a key part of what lenders are checking.

Some documents need to be dated within the previous three months, so double-check what the lender’s asking for and make sure the dates fit. 

It may sound obvious, but it’s also worth checking that the ID proof you’re submitting hasn’t expired! 

Getting a mortgage takes some planning and organisation, so it’s smart to get ahead of the game. Ready to get started?

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. 

Chat to a broker 

Not sure what you’ll need? A Habito mortgage broker can explain what lenders usually ask for and help you understand what you’re likely to need, based on your situation.

Frequently asked questions

What if I haven’t got the documents the lender’s asking for?

It’s important to speak to your broker or lender as soon as you can if you can’t get hold of a document that the lender wants. There may be an alternative.

Will a lender want to know about all my bank accounts?

Yes. You’ll usually need to share information about all your bank accounts so the lender has the full picture of your income and outgoings. 

What if I’ve just started a new job?

If you don’t have three months’ worth of payslips yet, ask if your lender will accept a permanent contract or other proof of your status. But lenders will usually want to see at least one payslip.