How to Get a Mortgage in the UK: Complete 2025 Guide

Getting a mortgage in the UK is one of the biggest financial steps most people will ever take. This guide covers everything you need to know — from checking if you qualify, to understanding the application process and what to expect at each stage. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a home mover, or buying as an expat or foreign national, the process follows the same core steps.

Step 1: Check Your Affordability

Before you apply for a mortgage, you need a clear picture of how much you can realistically borrow. UK lenders typically lend between 4x and 4.5x your gross annual income, though some specialist lenders will go higher for professionals or those with complex income structures.

Your affordability is calculated based on:

• Income — Salary, bonus, self-employment income, rental income, or foreign currency income
• Outgoings — Existing debts, credit card payments, car finance, and regular commitments
• Deposit — The minimum deposit for most mortgages is 5-10% for residential purchases, and 25% for buy-to-let
• Credit history — UK lenders check your credit file through Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion

Use our free mortgage affordability calculator to get an instant estimate of how much you can borrow.

Step 2: Check Your Credit Report

Before a lender will agree to give you a mortgage, they will run a credit check. It is worth checking your own credit report first so there are no surprises. You can check your UK credit report for free through Experian, ClearScore (Equifax), or Credit Karma (TransUnion).

Common credit issues that affect mortgage applications include:

• Missed payments or defaults in the last 3-6 years
• County Court Judgements (CCJs)
• High credit utilisation (using a large proportion of your available credit)
• Being on the electoral roll (not being registered can flag as a risk)
• For expats and foreign nationals — limited or no UK credit history

If you have credit issues, a specialist broker can identify which lenders are likely to consider your application despite them. See our specialist mortgage advice for more information.

Step 3: Save Your Deposit

The size of your deposit determines which mortgage deals you can access and what interest rate you will pay. The more you can put down, the lower your Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio, and the better rate you will typically get.

Deposit Size	LTV	Typical Rate Impact
5%	95%	Highest rates — fewer lenders
10%	90%	More lenders, moderate rates
15-20%	80-85%	Competitive rates
25%+	75% or below	Best rates — widest choice

Your deposit can come from personal savings, a gift from family members, equity from a previous property, or government schemes such as a Lifetime ISA. If you are using a gifted deposit, your lender will need a signed declaration from the donor confirming it is a gift and not a loan.

Step 4: Understand the Types of Mortgage Available

There are several types of mortgage products available in the UK. Understanding them helps you make the right choice for your circumstances:

Fixed Rate Mortgages

Your interest rate is fixed for an agreed period — typically 2, 3, or 5 years. Monthly payments are predictable and do not change when the Bank of England base rate moves. At the end of the fixed period, you will be moved onto the lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR) unless you remortgage.

Tracker Mortgages

The interest rate tracks the Bank of England base rate plus a set margin (for example, base rate + 1%). Payments can go up or down when the base rate changes. Usually offer no early repayment charges, giving you flexibility to switch.

Variable Rate / Standard Variable Rate (SVR)

The lender sets their own rate and can change it at any time. SVRs are typically higher than fixed or tracker deals. Most borrowers use the SVR only as a short-term option before remortgaging.

Interest Only Mortgages

You only pay the interest each month — not the capital. Monthly payments are much lower, but the full loan amount remains at the end of the mortgage term and must be repaid. Available to residential buyers who can demonstrate a credible repayment plan, and widely used for buy-to-let mortgages. Learn more on our interest-only mortgage advice page.

Repayment Mortgages

Each monthly payment covers both interest and capital. By the end of your mortgage term, the full loan is repaid and you own your home outright. This is the most common mortgage type for residential buyers.

Step 5: Get a Mortgage in Principle

Before you start viewing properties seriously, get a mortgage in principle (also called an Agreement in Principle or AIP). This is a written confirmation from a lender of how much they would be willing to lend you in principle, based on an initial review of your income and credit profile.

Benefits of getting an AIP first:

• Shows estate agents you are a serious buyer with financing in place
• Gives you a realistic budget for your property search
• Speeds up the full application once you have found a property
• Required by many estate agents before accepting offers in competitive markets

Most mortgage in principle assessments use a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score. With a specialist broker, you can typically get an AIP within 24-48 hours. If you are an expat or foreign national, see our detailed guide to getting a mortgage in principle as an expat.

Step 6: Choose the Right Mortgage Broker

Working with a whole-of-market mortgage broker gives you access to thousands of products from over 90 lenders — including exclusive broker-only deals that are not available to the public directly. A good broker will:

• Assess your whole financial situation and identify the most suitable lenders
• Compare the entire market — not just products from a panel of preferred lenders
• Handle the paperwork and liaise with lenders, solicitors, and estate agents on your behalf
• Advise on the most cost-effective deal over the full initial period, considering fees and rates together

At The Mortgage Story, we are a whole-of-market specialist broker. We specialise in complex cases — expat buyers, foreign nationals, self-employed applicants, and those with unusual income structures. View our full range of mortgage services.

Step 7: Find Your Property and Make an Offer

Once you have your AIP and a clear budget, you can begin your property search. When you find a property you want to buy, you make an offer through the estate agent. If accepted, you move to the formal mortgage application stage.

Before making an offer, factor in all costs beyond the purchase price:

• Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) — Charged on properties in England and Northern Ireland. First-time buyers get a discount. Non-UK residents pay a 2% surcharge. Use our stamp duty calculator to check your liability.
• Solicitor / conveyancing fees — Typically £1,500-£3,000
• Survey costs — Homebuyer survey £400-£1,500; full structural survey £600-£1,500
• Mortgage arrangement fee — Many products have an arrangement fee of £500-£2,000, though some are fee-free
• Broker fee — At The Mortgage Story, we charge £495 for arranging a mortgage

Step 8: Submit Your Full Mortgage Application

Once your offer is accepted, your broker submits a full mortgage application to your chosen lender. At this stage, the lender will conduct a hard credit search (which is recorded on your credit file), carry out full income and affordability verification, and arrange a mortgage valuation of the property.

Documents typically required for a full application:

• Passport and proof of address
• Last 3 months payslips (or last 2 years accounts for self-employed)
• Last 3-6 months bank statements
• P60 or SA302 (tax calculation)
• Proof of deposit and its source
• Details of existing debts and commitments

For expat and foreign national buyers, additional documentation may include evidence of overseas income, currency conversion, right to reside confirmation, and an overseas address history.

Step 9: The Mortgage Offer

If the lender is satisfied with your application and the property valuation, they will issue a formal mortgage offer. This is a legally binding commitment to lend, conditional on the property transaction completing. The mortgage offer is typically valid for 3-6 months.

Your solicitor will review the mortgage offer and the property title before proceeding to exchange of contracts.

Step 10: Exchange of Contracts and Completion

Exchange of contracts is the point at which both buyer and seller are legally committed to the transaction. You will need buildings insurance in place from this date. The completion date is agreed at exchange — typically 1-4 weeks later.

At completion, the mortgage funds are released, the purchase price is paid, and you receive the keys to your new home.

How Long Does Getting a Mortgage Take?

The typical mortgage process timeline from application to completion is:

• Mortgage in principle: 24-48 hours
• Full application to mortgage offer: 3-6 weeks (longer for complex cases)
• Exchange to completion: 1-4 weeks
• Total process from offer accepted to completion: 8-16 weeks on average

Complex situations — self-employed income, expat buyers, leasehold properties, or new builds — can take longer. Starting early and using a specialist broker significantly reduces delays.

Getting a Mortgage: Special Circumstances

First-Time Buyers

First-time buyers can access Stamp Duty relief (no SDLT on the first £425,000), government-backed schemes, and some lenders offer first-time buyer specific products with lower deposit requirements. See our first time buyer mortgage guide.

Self-Employed Buyers

You will typically need two years of accounts or HMRC tax returns. Some lenders will consider one year in exceptional circumstances. Self-employed mortgage advice →

Expats and Foreign Nationals

Not all UK lenders will lend to expats or non-UK residents. Specialist lenders assess foreign income, currency haircuts, and overseas credit profiles. Whole-of-market access through a specialist broker is essential. See our expat mortgage advice and foreign national mortgage advice.

Joint Mortgages

Buying with a partner, friend, or family member allows you to combine incomes and borrow more. Each borrower’s credit history is assessed. See our joint mortgage advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much deposit do I need for a mortgage in the UK?

The minimum deposit for most residential mortgages is 5-10% of the property value. A larger deposit gives you access to better interest rates and a wider choice of lenders. Buy-to-let mortgages typically require 25%.

Can I get a mortgage with bad credit?

Yes, though your options will be more limited and rates may be higher. Specialist lenders consider applicants with missed payments, defaults, or CCJs. See our specialist mortgage advice.

What is the maximum age for a mortgage in the UK?

Most lenders have a maximum age at the end of the mortgage term — typically 70-85, though some specialist lenders have no upper limit. The mortgage term must fit within their age criteria.

Can I get a mortgage as a non-UK citizen?

Yes. Foreign nationals with certain visa types and non-residents can get UK mortgages through specialist lenders. See our foreign national mortgage guide for full details.

What is a mortgage broker and do I need one?

A mortgage broker searches the market on your behalf, recommends suitable products, and manages your application. A whole-of-market broker (like The Mortgage Story) compares every available lender — not just a restricted panel. Using a broker is particularly important for complex cases.

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Get Expert Mortgage Advice

The Mortgage Story is a whole-of-market mortgage broker. We help first-time buyers, home movers, expats, foreign nationals, landlords, and self-employed buyers across the UK. No obligation free consultation.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The Mortgage Story is a trading style of The Mortgage Story Ltd, which is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 991223). This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice.