The process of getting a mortgage can feel pretty overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time buyer, so we’ve broken it down into seven steps.  

We’ll go through each step, outlining the basics that lenders look for, the documents you need and the different types of mortgage to choose from.

Habito is a whole-of-market mortgage broker. We’re authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and we help you understand your mortgage options and apply to lenders.

Mortgage approval isn’t guaranteed, and whether you’re accepted and on what terms depends on your circumstances and the lender’s criteria

Can I get a mortgage?

There are a few essentials for you to become eligible for a mortgage in the UK including:

• You’re aged 18 or more. You need to be 18+ to borrow money for property (and the minimum age is typically higher for buy-to-let mortgages). Some lenders don’t lend to the over-55s or those nearing retirement age.

• You have UK residence, a UK job, and/or UK income. You can buy UK property with cash from anywhere in the world (after anti-money laundering checks), but if you want a mortgage you’ll need a UK income or a right to reside in the UK. And for your credit check (which you’ll have before getting a mortgage) you’ll need to have at least three years’ address history in the UK, too.

• Your credit score is up to scratch. It’s possible to get a mortgage if you have a poor credit score, but it can sometimes be difficult. If your credit score is lower, you might need to find more than 5-10% for the deposit, have a guarantor (someone who will pay your mortgage if you can’t), or settle for a higher interest rate.

Find out more about improving your credit score for a mortgage here.

• You have a steady income. Most lenders want to see a minimum salary of £10,000- £20,000. Evidence of a steady income over the last few years will show lenders that you can manage mortgage repayments. This is particularly important if you’re self-employed.

• You’ve never had a home repossessed. If you’ve had a previous mortgage that went unpaid, most lenders won’t offer you another mortgage and you might need specialist help.

• You have a deposit above 5% of the value of the property. 5% deposit mortgages tend to be the minimum these days (like if a property costs £200,000, the deposit will be at least £10,000). And lots of mortgage deals still need a deposit of 10% or more. 

Meeting these criteria doesn’t guarantee you’ll be offered a mortgage. Lenders carry out detailed affordability and credit checks to make sure the mortgage is right for you — and affordable now and in the future.

How to get a mortgage: 7 steps

If you’re eligible for getting a mortgage in the UK, the process usually involves these steps: 

1. Gather your deposit
2. Work out how much you can borrow
3. Get your paperwork together
4. Find the property you want to buy
5. Research the right type of mortgage for you
6. Shop around for the best mortgage and the right lender
7. Get legal assistance, and seal the deal

Here’s a breakdown of each step.

1. Gather your deposit

If you’re planning to go for a £200,000 property, a 5% deposit would be £10,000, a 10% deposit would be £20,000, and a 15% deposit would be £30,000. Generally, the bigger the deposit, the more mortgage deals you’ll have to choose from. This is because a bigger deposit means a smaller mortgage loan and less risk for the lender.  

If you're a first-time buyer in the UK, you may have access to government schemes which can help you get onto the property ladder.

2. Work out how much you can borrow 

Next, it’s time to figure out how much you’ll be able to borrow. A quick calculation can give you an idea - think about these things:

• Your income. Many lenders tend to cap what they lend to 4.5 times your income. There are some jobs that let you borrow more (like if you’re a doctor).

• Your outgoings. If you have a lot of outgoings each month – like on transport, loans, utilities, or child care – it’s likely to affect how much you can borrow.         

• Your credit score. Your credit score can affect your eligibility for a mortgage, the amount you can borrow, and the amount of interest you might need to pay. This is because a poor credit score poses a bigger risk for the lender.

If you want a clearer idea of how much you can borrow, you can get a mortgage in principle (MIP). It’s a certificate from a lender or broker that says how much they could lend you. It’s not legally-binding, but it does give you an idea of what’s possible.

Use our mortgage calculator to get a clearer idea of how much you can borrow and get your mortgage in principle from Habito in a matter of minutes.

Many lenders use income multiples as a starting point, often around 4 to 4.5 times your income. Some lenders may offer more, but this depends on your job, credit history, outgoings and overall affordability.

3. Get your paperwork together

Now it’s time for a bit of admin. Here we cover what documents you need to apply for a first-time buyer mortgage:

• Proof of identification. This could be your passport or driving licence. If you’re not a British citizen, you’ll need your residency documents or a visa.

• Proof of address. A bank or credit card statement, or a council tax or utility bill.

• Employment details and income. You’ll need payslips for three months and a P60 if you’re employed. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need up to three years of business accounts and tax returns. Learn more about getting a self-employed mortgage in our guide.

• Other income, expenses, and savings. If you have any other income, you’ll need to show evidence of it. Also, lenders will need to see bank statements to  understand your outgoings and any income from savings.  

It’s best to get this info together before you start the application process. We have a dedicated guide on documents you need when you apply as a first-time buyer.

4. Find the property you want to buy

Here’s the fun bit. Now you know what you can afford, you can go and check out some properties on the market. Maybe even plan the colour scheme, kitchen, or imagine yourself chilling out on the sofa. Lovely.

5. Research the right type of mortgage for you

Just like homes, mortgages come in all shapes and sizes. It’s useful to know which one suits you best, because different mortgages have different benefits, drawbacks, and eligibility criteria:

• Fixed rate mortgage. For many buyers in the UK, a fixed rate mortgage is the go-to option. Once you get the mortgage, the interest rate is fixed for the time you’ve agreed. This can be 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, or even up to 40 years.
  
• Variable rate mortgages. These are tracker mortgages or standard variable rate mortgages. The repayments change as interest rates change, which is something you can’t control. You might get a very good deal, or could end up paying more if the interest rate rises. With variable or tracker mortgages, your monthly payments could go up or down if interest rates change.

• Interest only mortgages. These days, interest only mortgages are mainly for buy-to-let mortgages (when you buy a property to rent it out). With interest-only mortgages, you’ll need a separate and reliable plan to repay the full loan at the end of the term. If that plan falls short, you could be forced to sell your home.. Retirement interest only mortgages are designed for retired people; they repay the full sum if they sell the house, die, or go into care.

All this choice can be a lot to take in. At Habito, we’re a whole-of-market mortgage broker, and we’re also a lender — so we can help you get to grips with all the different options. We’ve got over 20,000 deals to show you from over 90 different lenders. Take a look at our mortgage comparison.

6. Shop around for the best mortgage and the right lender

With the right type of mortgage in mind, it’s time to find the right lender. There are different rates, eligibility criteria, and benefits with each mortgage deal. 

After choosing the right mortgage (possibly with the help of Habito), you can apply for an agreement in principle (AIP). An AIP shows that a lender is happy to give you a certain amount for a certain property. It’s still not 100% guaranteed that you’ll get the mortgage, but it’s a sign that you’re on track. An agreement in principle isn’t a guarantee of a mortgage. Your lender will still carry out full checks before making a formal offer.

For an AIP, you’ll usually need:

• A credit check. This may be a soft or hard credit check, depending on the lender (find out the difference between the two). The lender will let you know if it’ll impact your credit score, because too many hard checks in a short time frame might be seen as a bad thing.
  
• Documents that show your income and expenditure. This gives the lender an idea about your finances and whether you’ll be able to make the monthly repayments.

• Details of the property. Because the mortgage will be for a specific property, the lender needs to know some details.

If you’re looking for an AIP, Habito can help - the application shouldn’t take more than half an hour to complete and you’ll get your AIP back in less than 48 hours.

7. Get legal assistance, and seal the deal

At this point, you’re almost finished with the mortgage application process. All of the documents get sent to the lender as a formal application.

To finalise things, you’ll need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. They’ll make sure the whole process is legitimate, plus they’ll double check a few things:

• They’ll make sure that the contract is legally correct
• They’ll check that there aren’t any legal problems with the property (like making sure it’s not on land which is subsiding or that anyone else claims they own it) 

If you want to make this part easier, check out Habito Plus.  It lets you track your mortgage, legal  work and survey, all in one place.

What salary do you need to get a mortgage? 

There isn’t a set minimum salary for getting a mortgage. The salary you need will largely depend on how much deposit you have, how much you want to borrow and what you can afford to repay each month, taking into account your other household costs.

A basic rule of thumb is that lenders will offer 4.5 times your salary, but it could be between four and five times. There are some specialist deals for first-time buyers that will go up to six times your salary. These may specify a minimum salary, though. Nationwide offers such a deal, Helping Hand, and the minimum salary dropped from £35,000 to £30,000 in 2025. For joint applicants, the combined minimum is £50,000. Income multiples and specialist deals vary by lender and can change over time. Not everyone will qualify, and all applications are subject to full affordability checks.

If you’re on a low salary, you can find plenty of help in our guide to low income mortgages, and you can chat to a Habito broker about what might be available.

How long does it take to get a mortgage?

The whole process can take 4-6 weeks once you’ve submitted your application and if you choose Habito we’re with you every step of the way! We’ll guide you through each step and help keep things moving but timings can vary depending on the lender, your circumstances and the property.

A mortgage expert will find the best option for you, handling the entire process from start to finish.

Getting a mortgage takes planning, organisation, and (a little patience!), but when you get those keys in your hand, it’ll all be worth it. Ready to get started?

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

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