First Time Buyer Mortgage Checklist UK (Free Printable)

Last updated: 10 October 2026 · Every lender has its own criteria. This is general information, not mortgage advice.

Checked against GOV.UK and HMRC guidance on 10 October 2026.

If you’re about to apply for your first mortgage, a first time buyer mortgage checklist is the one thing that will save you the most stress. In this guide I’ll walk you through exactly what you need for a mortgage application in the UK, from payslips and bank statements to your mortgage in principle, credit checks and the timeline to getting your keys.

I’m a scientist by training and a former science teacher, so I love a good checklist. It’s how I keep busy family life (and money!) under control. Buying a home is no different. When you know what lenders check and you have your paperwork ready, the whole process feels far less scary. And because this is the stuff people often scramble for at the last minute, I’ve also made a free printable checklist you can tick off as you go.

Quick note: I’m not a financial adviser. This post explains how the process works. For advice on your own situation, speak to an FCA-regulated mortgage adviser or use the free guidance at MoneyHelper.

Your first time buyer mortgage checklist: start 3 months early

Why three months? Because most of what a lender looks at covers roughly the last three months of your life. When you apply, the lender (and later its underwriter, the person who makes the final decision) checks three big things:

Affordability. They add up your household income, then take off your regular bills, spending and debt repayments to see what’s left. They also check you could still cope if interest rates rose or your circumstances changed.
Your credit file. When you make a full application, the lender runs a credit check with a credit reference agency to see how you’ve handled credit before.
Your bank statements. Payslips show what you earn. Bank statements show what actually happens to the money. Lenders usually ask for around three months (sometimes up to six).

Giving yourself three months means you have time to fix errors on your credit file, tidy up your spending and get your documents together without panic. If you want a step-by-step plan for the statements part, read my guide to bank statements for a mortgage and what lenders look for first. It pairs perfectly with this checklist.

1. Mortgage application documents UK lenders usually ask for

So, what do I need for a mortgage application? Here’s the full list. Your lender will tell you exactly what it wants and in what format (some want uploads, some want certified copies, and some won’t accept printouts of online statements), so always check. But if you have all of this ready, you’ll be in great shape.

1.1 Proof of identity

A valid passport or full driving licence. Make sure it’s in date. If your passport is about to expire, renew it now, because a delay here can hold up everything else.

1.2 Proof of address

A recent utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement, usually dated within the last three months.
Your address history for the last three years (you’ll type this into the application, so jot it down with dates).

1.3 Proof of income (employed)

Your last three months’ payslips. If you’re paid weekly, that may mean 12 or 13 payslips.
Your latest P60 from your employer, which shows your total pay and tax for the last tax year.
Proof of any bonus, overtime or commission if you want the lender to count it.
Proof of any benefits you receive, if they’re part of your income.

1.4 Proof of income (self-employed)

SA302 tax calculations and tax year overviews, usually for the last two years (some lenders ask for three). You can print these from your HMRC online account, but not until 72 hours after you’ve sent your tax return. Check your lender accepts self-printed copies.
Accounts prepared by an accountant, often for two to three years.
Business bank statements, plus anything else that backs up the income on your SA302.

1.5 Bank statements

The last three months of statements for your main current account (where your salary goes and bills come out). Some lenders ask for up to six months.
Statements for any other account that receives income, such as benefits or side hustle money.

1.6 Proof of deposit

Savings account statements showing the money building up in your name. Big one-off payments in will need explaining, so keep a note of where they came from.
Lifetime ISA statements, if you’re using one. Your conveyancer will need to request the money from your provider, so it isn’t paid to you directly.
A gifted deposit letter, if family are helping (see below).

1.7 Gifted deposit letter

If a parent or relative is giving you some of your deposit, most lenders want a signed letter from them. It usually includes both your names and addresses, how you’re related, the amount, where the money came from, and confirmation that it’s a gift, not a loan, and that they won’t own any share of the home. Your conveyancer may also ask the person giving the money for ID and proof of where the money came from, as part of anti-money laundering checks. Each lender sets its own rules on who can give a gift, so check before you apply.

1.8 Details of your debts and commitments

Credit card balances and limits, loans, car finance, buy now pay later and student loan repayments.
Childcare costs, maintenance payments and other regular commitments.
Your monthly outgoings, like council tax, insurance, travel and food. Be honest and realistic here, because your bank statements will show the truth anyway.

2. Get a mortgage in principle (agreement in principle)

A mortgage in principle, also called an agreement in principle (AIP) or decision in principle, is a written estimate of how much a lender might be willing to lend you. In the UK it’s usually free, quick to get online and typically valid for 30 to 90 days.

It’s not a mortgage offer and doesn’t guarantee you’ll be accepted. But estate agents often want to see one before they take your offer on a home seriously, so it’s worth getting before you start viewing properly. You’ll usually need your name, date of birth, three years of address history, your income, your monthly outgoings and the size of your deposit.

2.1 Soft vs hard credit checks

This bit matters, so it’s worth understanding:

A soft check doesn’t leave a mark that other lenders can see and doesn’t affect your credit score. Many lenders use soft checks for a mortgage in principle, and eligibility checkers use them too.
A hard check shows on your credit file. Lots of hard checks in a short time can make lenders think you’re relying on borrowing, which can lower your chances.

Some lenders use a hard check even at the in-principle stage, so if it’s not clear, just ask before you apply. When you make your full application, the lender will run a hard check, which is completely normal.

3. How to boost your chances before you apply

These small steps can make a real difference, and most of them are free.

3.1 Register on the electoral roll

Make sure you’re registered to vote at your current address. Lenders use it to confirm who you are and where you live. MoneyHelper says registering may improve your score within about eight weeks, so do it now, not the week before you apply.

3.2 Check your credit reports with all the agencies

By law, every credit reference agency must give you your statutory credit report for free, and checking it doesn’t affect your score. The three main agencies are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. MoneyHelper now lists a fourth, Crediva, too. Lenders don’t all use the same one, and each may hold slightly different information, so check them all. Look for:

Old addresses that are still linked to you
Accounts you don’t recognise (a sign of possible fraud)
Late payments that are wrong, or debts you’ve paid off still showing as open
Financial links to someone you no longer share finances with

If you spot a mistake, ask the agency to correct it. They should sort it within 28 days. MoneyHelper’s guide to checking your credit report for free explains your options.

3.3 Pay down balances and pay on time

Lower card balances mean lower monthly commitments, which can help your affordability. Set up Direct Debits so you never miss a payment in the months before you apply.

3.4 Avoid new credit

Try not to apply for new cards, loans, phone contracts on credit or car finance in the run-up to your mortgage. Each application can mean a hard check, and new debt changes your affordability.

3.5 Keep a buffer

Lenders like to see you’re not living right on the edge, and you’ll want spare cash for surprises once you own a home. If you’re starting from zero, my guide to building your first £1,000 buffer is a good first step.

4. Mortgage brokers vs going direct: how they work

You can apply straight to a lender, or use a mortgage broker (also called a mortgage adviser). There’s no single right answer. Here’s how each works, so you can decide what suits you.

4.1 Going direct to a lender

You deal with the lender yourself, and you’ll only see that lender’s mortgages. Some lenders have their own advisers who can recommend one of their products. This can work well if you’ve done your research, but you’ll need to compare deals yourself.

4.2 Using a broker

Fee-free vs fee-charging: some brokers are free to you because the lender pays them a commission. Others charge a flat fee, an hourly rate or a percentage of the loan, and some charge a fee and get commission. They must tell you how they’re paid before they start.
Whole of market vs restricted: a whole-of-market broker can search deals from across the market (though even they may not cover every product). A restricted broker only looks at a set panel of lenders. Ask which they are.
Check the FCA register: before you share any details, look the firm up on the FCA Firm Checker to make sure it’s authorised.

Whichever route you choose, compare the total cost, not just the interest rate. Fees, the length of the fixed period and the APRC all matter. MoneyHelper’s page on whether to use a mortgage adviser is a useful neutral read.

5. First-time buyer stamp duty and Lifetime ISA rules

5.1 Stamp duty relief for first-time buyers

In England and Northern Ireland, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) first-time buyer relief changed on 1 April 2025. For 2026/27, the rules on GOV.UK are:

Purchase price	First-time buyer rate
Up to £300,000	0%
£300,001 to £500,000	5% on the part above £300,000
Over £500,000	No relief. Standard rates apply to the whole price

Everyone you’re buying with must be a first-time buyer, and you must plan to live there as your main home. Stamp duty is due within 14 days of completion (your solicitor usually handles it). Wales and Scotland have their own property taxes with different rules. Try my stamp duty calculator to see your figure.

5.2 Using a Lifetime ISA

If you’re using a Lifetime ISA (LISA) for your first home, the key rules on GOV.UK are:

The home must cost £450,000 or less.
You must buy at least 12 months after your first payment in.
You must be buying with a mortgage, and use a conveyancer or solicitor, who receives the money from your provider.
A withdrawal for a home that does not qualify normally has a 25% charge. Other charge-free withdrawals include those from age 60 or because of terminal illness; check GOV.UK for the full rules.

That £450,000 cap catches people out, especially in London and the South East. If your home costs more, you can’t use the LISA without the charge. My Lifetime ISA blueprint for first-time buyers goes through it all, and the Lifetime ISA calculator shows what your bonus could add up to.

5.3 What about the new First Time Buyer ISA?

In June 2026 the government published a consultation on a new First Time Buyer ISA, which would replace the Lifetime ISA for new savers. The consultation closed on 18 August 2026. As of 10 October 2026, no launch date has been set, and the limits, price cap and bonus haven’t been announced. Until it launches, you can still open a LISA, and the government says existing LISA holders can keep saving under the current rules. I’ll update this post when there’s news.

The exchange-and-completion timeline below mainly describes England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland uses a different legal process involving missives; ask your Scottish solicitor about the relevant stages.

6. The timeline from offer to completion

Once your offer on a home is accepted, here’s roughly what happens. MoneyHelper says it typically takes two to three months, but chains can make it longer.

Offer accepted. Instruct a solicitor or conveyancer, and send your full mortgage application with your documents.
Valuation and survey. The lender arranges a valuation. You can pay for your own survey too, chosen based on the age and condition of the home.
Searches and legal work. Your conveyancer runs local searches and checks the contract.
Mortgage offer. Often around two to four weeks after you apply. Offers are usually valid for about six months.
Exchange of contracts. You pay your deposit and the sale becomes legally binding. Have buildings insurance in place from this point.
Completion. The money moves, you get your keys, and stamp duty (if any) is paid within 14 days.

Don’t forget the other costs along the way, like legal fees, surveys and moving. My guide to the hidden costs of buying a house lists them all, and if you’re still deciding, the rent vs buy calculator can help. When you’re ready to make an offer, read how to negotiate a house price as a first-time buyer.

Download your free printable checklist

I’ve put everything in this post onto a simple two-page A4 checklist you can print, stick on the fridge and tick off as you go. It covers your documents, credit checks, mortgage in principle and the steps to completion.

Download the free mortgage checklist (PDF)

Want to get your whole budget in order before you apply? Grab my free 7-Day Financial Reset Kit.

First Time Buyer Mortgage Checklist UK (Free Printable) — Save this guide for later. Original illustration created for MoneySavvyUK.

First time buyer mortgage checklist: FAQs

What documents do I need for a mortgage application in the UK?

Usually photo ID, proof of address, your last three months’ payslips, your latest P60, three months of bank statements, proof of your deposit, and details of your debts. Self-employed people usually need two years of SA302s and tax year overviews, plus accounts.

Does a mortgage in principle affect my credit score?

Many lenders use a soft check, which doesn’t affect your score. Some use a hard check, so ask before you apply. The full application always involves a hard check.

How long does a mortgage application take?

A mortgage offer often arrives within two to four weeks of applying, and the whole process from offer accepted to completion typically takes two to three months.

How many months of bank statements do I need for a mortgage?

Usually three months, though some lenders ask for up to six. Your lender will tell you what it needs.

Can I use a gifted deposit as a first-time buyer?

Yes, most lenders accept gifted deposits from close family with a signed gifted deposit letter. It must be a gift, not a loan, and each lender has its own rules on who can give it.

Summary: your first time buyer mortgage checklist

Start about three months before you apply.
Gather ID, proof of address, payslips, P60, bank statements and deposit proof (SA302s if self-employed).
Get a mortgage in principle, and ask whether it’s a soft or hard check.
Register to vote and check your free statutory credit reports.
Pay down balances and avoid new credit.
If you use a broker, check how they’re paid, whether they’re whole of market, and that they’re on the FCA register.
Check stamp duty relief (up to £300,000 at 0%, no relief over £500,000) and the £450,000 Lifetime ISA cap.

For more guides like this, see my buying a home section.

Sources and useful links

This is general information, not mortgage or financial advice. I’m not a financial adviser and I’m not connected with any lender or broker. Lenders’ criteria and government rules can change, so always check with your lender, conveyancer or an FCA-regulated adviser.

Self-employed alongside your job? Read how to register as a sole trader and organise the income records your lender asks for.

About the author: Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan is a UK mum, former secondary science teacher and PhD scientist. MoneySavvyUK shares practical money ideas and general information, with sources so readers can check the rules.