Our mortgage eligibility tool is a great place to start. We’ll ask you a few basic questions and carry out a soft credit check to see what’s available to you.

Please note, this check won’t harm your credit rating. 

With some lenders a job offer and start date is all you need. If you have your first pay slip more lenders become available to choose from.

No, your payslips are all you need. The lender will want to know about your work history, but we can get you a mortgage with as few as 3 months’ pay slips. 

Yes, you can. The lender will want to see your payslips over the last 12 months and any previous P60s to build up a picture of the number of hours you typically work each month.

A lender will take into account income from multiple jobs. They’ll also check whether or not the number of hours you are working is sustainable. 

Generally, you’ll need a 10% deposit. Although some mortgage lenders are offering mortgages with just a 5% deposit. 

If you’re buying a new build property and use the Help to Buy equity scheme you’ll only need a 5% deposit with the equity loan, providing you with an extra 20% deposit. Our first time buyers guide explains the Help to Buy scheme in more detail. 

Yes. The government’s Help to Buy Scheme is available to first time buyers who are buying a new build property. If you use the scheme the amount of deposit you need to pay is 5%. Read our guide for more information and to see if you’re eligible.  

Shared Ownership is another option. This is where you buy part of the property and rent the rest, with the option to buy a greater share and potentially all of the property when you can afford it. Shared Ownership homes are bought through housing associations and you will need to meet their criteria. They’re available on both new and existing properties.

Lenders take different approaches when it comes to credit scores.  The starting point is to check your credit report and make sure there isn’t anything on there that is incorrect, or you’ve forgotten about. For more on this, read our guide to how your credit score can affect your mortgage.

Most lenders limit this to immediate family. Some lenders will allow friends and more distant family members to gift you money. If you’re buying from your landlord it may also be possible for them to gift you money.

Yes, you can. It’s a good idea to come to a formal agreement about the minimum number of years you will commit to living in the property. A solicitor will be able to help you with this.