This guide provides general information and is not a substitute for personalised mortgage, tax or legal advice.
Written and reviewed by the Highhouse Money mortgage team · Last reviewed: 25 August 2026
In brief, expect to provide proof of who you are, where you live, what you earn, how you spend and where your deposit comes from. Gathering these before you apply means underwriters have fewer questions and your case spends less time waiting.
This checklist applies to most residential purchases and remortgages. Lenders set their own rules, so treat it as a starting point rather than a definitive list. It is general information, not financial advice.
The core document pack
- Passport or photocard driving licence
- Utility bill or council tax bill for your address
- Last three months of payslips
- Most recent P60
- Last three months of current account statements
- Proof of deposit and its source
Identity and address
Lenders must confirm who you are to meet anti-money-laundering rules. A valid passport or full photocard driving licence is the usual choice. Proof of address is typically a recent utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement dated within the last few months. Make sure names match exactly across documents — a missing middle name or old surname can trigger extra checks.
Income evidence for employed applicants
Payslips show your basic pay alongside overtime, bonus or commission. Your P60 confirms annual earnings for the last tax year. If you have recently started a job, some lenders will want an employment contract or offer letter, and possibly a reference from your employer. Variable pay is often averaged over a period, so keeping older payslips can be useful.
Bank statements and spending
Statements help lenders confirm your salary is paid in and check your regular spending, other credit commitments and any signs of financial strain such as frequent unarranged overdraft use or returned payments. Large or unusual transfers are commonly queried, so be ready to explain them.
Deposit and property paperwork
You will need to show where your deposit has built up — savings statements, proceeds from a sale, or a gifted deposit letter. Once you have a property, the lender also needs the address, price and your solicitor's details. For a remortgage, a recent mortgage statement confirms your current balance and lender.
| Situation | Additional documents often requested |
|---|---|
| Gifted deposit | Gift letter, giver's ID and proof of funds |
| Self-employed | Tax calculations, tax year overviews or accounts |
| Remortgage | Latest mortgage statement |
| Rental income | Tenancy agreement and rental statements |
| Recent job change | Contract or offer letter |
Indicative only; each lender sets its own requirements.
Tips for a smoother application
- Download full PDF statements rather than screenshots
- Check documents are recent enough — many expire after a few months
- Scan every page, including blank reverse sides where requested
- Keep a single folder so you can resend quickly if asked
- Tell your adviser about anything unusual before submission
This page is general information, not financial advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need for a mortgage application?
Most lenders ask for photo identification, proof of address, evidence of income, recent bank statements and proof of where your deposit is coming from. Remortgage applicants usually also provide a recent mortgage statement. Exact requirements vary by lender and by your circumstances.
How many months of bank statements will a lender want?
Three months is common for current accounts, though some lenders ask for more, and deposit savings may need a longer history. Statements should normally show your name, account number and address.
Are online or screenshot statements accepted?
Many lenders accept downloaded PDF statements from online banking. Screenshots or cropped images are frequently rejected, so download the full statement for each month where you can.
What if my deposit is a gift from family?
Lenders usually want a signed gifted deposit letter confirming the money is a gift, not a loan, and that the giver will have no stake in the property. They may also ask for the giver's identification and evidence of where the funds came from.
Do I need different documents if I am self-employed?
Yes. Instead of payslips, lenders usually look at tax calculations and tax year overviews, or accounts prepared by an accountant. Our separate self-employed documents guide covers these in detail.
Sources and further reading
Where figures or rules can change, the position described is correct at the time of writing (25 August 2026) — always check the linked authoritative source for the latest position.
Related pages
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