Several factors can affect how long a mortgage application takes: which lender you’re applying to, what info the lender wants, and how complex your situation is can all play a part.

Note that if you’re applying for a remortgage, that can happen a lot faster – as little as a few days to be approved if you’re staying with the same lender.

Applying for a mortgage is just one stage of buying a home.

We’ve set out below a typical mortgage application timeline, so you know what to expect.

How Habito helps

Habito is a mortgage broker. We search mortgages from a range of lenders and give mortgage advice, but we don’t make lending decisions — that’s always down to the lender. Using a broker can help you apply with the right information first time, which may reduce delays.

Putting your application together (1 day or more)

Once you’ve decided what mortgage you want to apply for, the next step is submitting your application. That involves gathering some documents, like your passport and bank statements. Here’s the information you’re likely to need.

If you’re super keen and have everything ready to go, you could be ready to submit right away. If you’re starting from scratch, it could take a few days.

How long this stage takes also varies based on whether you’re using a mortgage broker or not. A broker does a lot of the application paperwork for you and helps you check your documents. It could take longer if you’re going it alone.

Once you’ve applied (2–6 weeks)

After you submit your application, your lender does a credit check on you, and also does what’s called an “affordability assessment”, to make sure you can actually afford the mortgage you’ve applied for.

The lender will also carry out a valuation survey on the property to make sure it’s worth what you’re paying for it.

If everything goes well, you’ll get a formal notice called a mortgage offer. That means it’s official: your application has been approved. You’ll usually get this in the mail, though if you’re using a broker, they’ll likely give you a heads-up it’s on the way.

If your lender asks for more information (add a few more days)

Sometimes, your lender will come back to you after looking over your application, and ask for more information. If it does, it could delay things by a few more days.

If your mortgage application is declined, that doesn’t mean you won’t ever get a mortgage. But it’s likely to add another few weeks to your mortgage journey, as you’ll then have to apply to another lender.

What is the fastest you can get a mortgage approved?

Will Rhind, mortgage expert at Habito, says: “It’s possible to get a formal mortgage offer in as little as a couple of weeks if your situation is straightforward. You can help speed things up if you correctly submit, first time, all the documents the lender needs, like payslips and bank statements, and respond quickly to any requests for further information.”

“Ahead of applying, if your credit is in good shape, that will also help speed up the process, when the time comes.”

How long does a mortgage application take with a broker?

Using a broker should cut your chances of being asked for more information or being turned down. A broker uses their knowledge of lenders to only send you where you’re most likely to be accepted. And they help you submit your application with all the right information, first time. This can sometimes shave days and in some cases weeks off the process, depending on your situation and the lender involved.

There’s plenty you can do to prepare well for applying. If you’d like to chat with an expert about how, you can do that for free with Habito.

Habito is a trading name of Hey Habito Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We provide mortgage advice and act as a mortgage broker, not a lender.

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