When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will ask for some documents to prove things like your identity, address and spending habits. They want to make sure you can pay back the loan they give you, and that you’re not a fraudster.

You usually won’t have to post your documents over – you can send high quality scans instead. Lenders don’t accept photos of documents so you’ll need access to a scanner, which you can usually find at work, your local library or your estate agent’s office.

Here’s a list of the minimum information you’ll need to provide, though different lenders will ask for different things.

ID documents

  • Passport ideally, though lenders will also accept a full UK driving licence showing your current address
  • If you don’t have a British or EU passport, or a passport from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Lichtenstein, lenders will also want to see your residency card or visa. (Also see How to get a mortgage as a foreign national)

Proof of name and address

  • Bank statement showing your name & address
  • Council tax statement for the current year
  • Utility bill from the last 3 months, which can be water, landline internet, electricity and gas bills (but not a mobile phone bill)

Proof of income and deposit

  • Your last 3 payslips
  • Your last 3 bank statements, showing your name and address
  • If you’re self-employed, your last 3 years of tax returns and tax year overviews (or however many you do have if it’s less than 3 years’ worth)
  • Proof of other types of income, like bonuses and rental income
  • Proof of your deposit (like a bank statement)
  • If your deposit is a gift, you’ll need a letter from the person giving it to you confirming they don’t expect to be repaid

Your spending

Lenders will want to know about your monthly payments and what you have to pay on other debts each month. That includes things like:

  • Credit cards
  • Personal loans
  • Car finance
  • Hire purchase agreements
  • Student loans
  • If you have a mortgage already, to remortgage you’ll need your latest mortgage statement showing the rate you’re on and when it finishes
  • If you have other properties, like rental properties, lenders will want to know about the mortgage balance, mortgage payment and monthly rental income