Clear answers before you take the next step

Defaults or CCJs do not automatically prevent a mortgage application from being considered. Some lenders may consider applications involving these issues, depending on their criteria and the applicant's circumstances. Relevant factors may include the age, number and value of the issues, whether they are satisfied, affordability and the deposit available. Acceptance is not guaranteed. An adviser acting through an authorised firm can assess your individual circumstances and explain which options, if any, may be available.

There is no single rule requiring every debt to be cleared before a mortgage application. Lenders assess existing commitments and affordability in different ways. This is general information, not a recommendation to repay, retain or consolidate debt, use savings or change payment arrangements. A mortgage adviser acting through an authorised firm can explain how commitments may affect a mortgage assessment. For help with debt repayment decisions or difficulty meeting payments, seek appropriately authorised debt advice or free, impartial debt guidance.

Some lenders may consider applications involving an active or completed Debt Management Plan, subject to their current criteria and the applicant's circumstances. Factors may include payment history, when the plan started or ended, other credit information, affordability and deposit. This does not confirm eligibility or guarantee acceptance. An adviser acting through an authorised firm can assess your circumstances.

This is a general explanation of possible assessment methods, not an assessment of your income or borrowing capacity. Evidence may include accounts, tax calculations such as SA302s, tax-year overviews and relevant contracts. Depending on the lender, sole-trader income may be assessed using profit figures, and company-director income may be assessed using salary and dividends or another permitted calculation. Some lenders may consider retained profits or contractor income, but availability, definitions, trading-history requirements and calculations vary. An adviser acting through an authorised firm can explain the requirements relevant to your circumstances.

Some lenders may consider overtime, bonuses or commission, but the amount included and the evidence required vary. A lender may consider the history, frequency and consistency of the income and may include only part of it. Payslips, P60s or other evidence may be requested. This general explanation does not confirm that any particular income will be accepted or establish your borrowing capacity.

Application timescales vary between lenders and depend on the property, transaction complexity, supporting documents, valuation and underwriting enquiries. A Decision in Principle, full application and mortgage offer are separate stages. No timescale or offer is guaranteed, and a Decision in Principle does not guarantee a mortgage offer. The adviser and lender handling a case can explain the stages and provide updates.

The effect depends on the lender and the type of credit search performed. Some lenders use a soft search for a Decision in Principle, while others may use a hard search. A hard search may affect your credit score and is recorded on your credit file. An adviser acting through an authorised firm can explain the proposed lender's process before submission. A Decision in Principle is not a mortgage offer.

Document requirements vary by adviser, lender, application and circumstances. They may include proof of identity and address, bank statements, payslips or self-employed income evidence, and evidence of the source of a deposit. A credit report may also be requested. Mortgage Bridge may help organise enquiry information, but does not use the documents to assess mortgage suitability or determine eligibility. The adviser and lender carry out their own assessments. Our mortgage guides provide general preparation information.

Possible costs include lender product fees, valuation or survey charges, legal costs, applicable property taxes and any adviser fee agreed separately. Charges, payment dates and whether a fee can be added to borrowing vary by product and provider. Where a fee is added to a mortgage, interest may be charged on it and the total amount repaid may increase. The adviser should explain the fees and commission associated with their service. Mortgage Bridge receives a percentage of the adviser's commission when an introduced case completes. See our Terms and Conditions for the introduction arrangements.

A fixed-rate mortgage generally keeps the interest rate unchanged for a specified period, subject to the product terms. A tracker rate follows a specified reference rate and may rise or fall, subject to any product limits. Features, fees, early repayment charges and risks vary. This comparison is general information, not a recommendation. Suitability should be assessed by an adviser acting through an authorised firm after considering your circumstances.

A decline by one lender does not establish whether another lender will accept an application. Reasons may involve affordability, credit history, documents, the property or lender criteria. Further applications can involve hard credit searches, which may affect a credit score. This information is not a recommendation to submit or delay an application. An adviser acting through an authorised firm can review your circumstances and explain possible next steps; acceptance is not guaranteed.

Deposit requirements vary between lenders and applications. Factors may include the age, type and severity of missed payments, other credit history, affordability, property type and the lender's current criteria. A larger deposit does not by itself guarantee acceptance. An adviser acting through an authorised firm can explain any requirements following an assessment of your individual circumstances.

Mortgage Bridge provides general information and administrative enquiry support to customers across the UK and can facilitate an adviser introduction where appropriate. Any regulated advice is provided separately through an authorised firm. Lender criteria, property requirements, taxes and processes may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Making an enquiry does not confirm eligibility or guarantee mortgage availability.