If you completed the short mortgage consultation check and got “not quite ready yet”, that’s not a no. Below is a brief outline of what UK lenders typically need and what you can do so that next time you pass the check and can apply.
Contents
What do you usually need for a UK mortgage?
Lenders in the UK typically look at: right to reside (Pre-Settled or Settled Status, British citizenship, or a visa that allows mortgaging, e.g. Ukraine Scheme or Skilled Worker), stable income that you can prove (payslips or tax returns), and a deposit (at least 5% of the property value; under Ukraine Scheme many require at least 10%). Without these three, your application usually won’t be considered.
This article explains what to get in place if something is still missing.
Deposit: how much and how to save
How much: at least 5% of the property price (e.g. £10,000 on a £200,000 home). For Ukraine Scheme and some other visas, many lenders require at least 10%. A larger deposit usually means more product choice and often better rates.
Where to keep it: in your own account (or savings), so you can show several months of statements. Lenders check source of funds and savings history.
Time: there’s no fixed “how many months” rule, but a consistent savings history (3–6 months or more) strengthens your application.
Proof of income
Employed: usually the last 3–6 months’ payslips and your contract or an employer letter. Lenders want to see stable income.
Self-employed: typically the last 2 years’ tax returns (SA302 and tax year overview from HMRC) or equivalent. Some lenders accept 1 year in certain cases.
CIS, agency, zero-hour: often at least 12 months in the same type of work, with contracts and payslips. Criteria vary by lender.
If you don’t have proof of income yet, start collecting payslips or get your tax returns in order. Without it, your application won’t be approved.
Status and employment
You need immigration status that allows you to live and work in the UK: Pre-Settled or Settled Status (EUSS), British citizenship, or a work visa (e.g. Ukraine Scheme, Skilled Worker). Which statuses are accepted varies by lender — a broker can match you to suitable lenders.
Employment should be stable: permanent contract is preferred; for temporary or zero-hour work, many lenders want to see 12+ months with the same employer or in the same line of work.
What to do next
In short: (1) make sure you have the right to reside in the UK; (2) save your deposit and keep it in your own account; (3) gather proof of income (payslips or tax returns); (4) where possible, have stable employment for at least several months. Once that’s in place, run the quick check again on our site or book a consultation — we’ll review your readiness and find options.
Even if something is missing now, we can agree a plan in a consultation: how much to save, what documents to prepare, and when it makes sense to apply.
Consultation
If you want to understand what’s missing in your case and what to do first, you can book a short consultation. We’ll go through your status, income and deposit and suggest realistic steps towards a mortgage.
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YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.
The information is general and does not constitute personal financial advice. Lender criteria and product availability depend on your situation and on UK lenders’ policies.
