Clear answers before you take the next step

In some circumstances, lenders may consider applications involving previous defaults or CCJs. What may be possible depends on factors including the number of issues, the amounts involved, how recent they are, whether they have been satisfied, the available deposit and the rest of the application. Where appropriate, we can introduce you to a regulated adviser who can assess realistic options.

Not always. Reducing balances may improve affordability, but using all your savings to repay debt could leave you short of deposit, fees or emergency funds. The appropriate approach depends on your complete circumstances and should be discussed with a regulated adviser before you make significant financial decisions.

It may be possible, but lender criteria vary. Relevant factors can include whether the DMP remains active, when it completed, whether payments were maintained, the circumstances that led to it and what your credit report and affordability look like now.

Assessment varies between lenders. Evidence may include accounts, SA302 tax calculations and tax-year overviews. Sole traders are commonly assessed using taxable profit, while limited-company directors may be assessed using salary and dividends. Some lenders may also consider retained profit, recent trading history or contractor day-rate income.

Many lenders may consider some or all of regular variable income, but their calculations and evidence requirements differ. Payslips, P60s and a consistent history can help an adviser identify lenders whose criteria may suit the way your income is received.

Timelines vary according to the lender, property and complexity of the application. Initial assessment and a Decision in Principle may be relatively quick once the required information is available, while a full application, valuation, underwriting and mortgage offer can take several weeks. These timings are indicative and cannot be guaranteed.

It depends on the lender and the type of check performed. Some lenders use a soft search, while others may use a hard credit search. A regulated adviser should explain the proposed lender’s process before an application is submitted.

Common requirements include proof of identity, proof of address, bank statements, payslips or self-employed income evidence and information about the source of your deposit. A full credit report may be particularly useful where there have been previous credit issues. You can also review our mortgage guides for further preparation information.

Possible costs include lender product fees, valuation or survey charges, legal costs, property taxes and any broker fee agreed with the adviser. Some fees may be paid upfront, while certain lender fees may be added to the mortgage. Adding a fee to the mortgage means interest may be charged on it.

Neither option is suitable for everyone. A fixed rate can provide payment certainty for an agreed period. Tracker and other variable rates may move up or down. The appropriate choice depends on your circumstances, future plans and attitude towards changing payments and should be assessed by a regulated adviser.

It is usually sensible to pause and understand the possible reason for the decline before submitting more applications. Repeated applications may create additional hard credit searches. A more targeted assessment can help identify whether there are criteria, affordability or credit-report issues that should be addressed first.

There is no single deposit requirement that applies to every application. The amount may depend on how recent and severe the payment issues were, the type of account involved, recent credit conduct, affordability, property type and the available lender criteria.

Yes. We can support clients across the UK using telephone, email, video calls and secure document services. Availability of mortgage products, property taxes and some processes can vary between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.