How much deposit do I need?

There is no single answer. Deposit requirements vary by lender, product and property. Our LTV calculator shows how a deposit changes loan-to-value, which is a useful concept to understand before speaking to an adviser.

Should I get an agreement in principle first?

That is a question for a qualified adviser, who can explain the trade-offs for your situation. An agreement in principle is not an offer or a guarantee.

Does using the checker affect my credit file?

No. Our tools do not perform any credit search and are not connected to any credit reference agency.

Preparation hub

Preparing for your first mortgage application

A first application involves more paperwork than most people expect. This hub explains what tends to be requested, how to organise it and which questions are worth raising with a qualified adviser. It does not assess eligibility and it is not advice.

Check my readiness Explore preparation guides

What to focus on

Six areas worth organising first

Educational preparation areas, not requirements. Every lender sets its own criteria and only a qualified adviser can tell you what matters in your case.

Deposit and its source

Understand how deposit evidence is usually presented, including savings history and any gifted contribution, and why 'source of funds' matters.

Income evidence

Know which payslips, contracts or tax documents relate to your income type, and how bonuses, overtime and commission are often documented.

Credit information

Check your own credit files with more than one agency, look for errors and understand what you can and cannot influence.

Regular spending

Review recurring commitments and subscriptions so you can describe your finances clearly and consistently.

Costs beyond the deposit

Budget for legal fees, searches, surveys, possible lender fees and moving costs — separately from your deposit.

Questions and timing

Prepare a written list of questions and a realistic preparation timeline before booking adviser time.

Guides for this situation

Read these next

Each guide covers what tends to be asked for, what varies and which questions are worth taking to a qualified adviser.

Documents · 8 min

What documents are usually needed for a mortgage application?

A plain-English list of the paperwork commonly requested during a UK mortgage application, how to organise it and what to confirm with a qualified adviser.

Documents · 7 min

Bank statements: what to review before you apply

Why bank statements may be requested during a UK mortgage application, how to reconcile your own statements against what you have declared, and what to confirm with your lender or a qualified adviser.

Credit · 8 min

Understanding your credit files before you apply

What UK credit reference agencies hold, how to read your own report, and how to dispute something inaccurate before a mortgage application. Educational only.

Deposit & LTV · 6 min

Understanding loan-to-value (LTV)

What loan-to-value means, how to calculate it, and why the percentage matters when preparing for a UK mortgage application. Educational only — no product recommendations.

Deposit & LTV · 7 min

Using a gifted deposit for a mortgage? Get the paperwork clear early

What a gifted deposit means in a mortgage context, why source-of-funds questions arise, what two named lenders currently ask donors for, and what to check with your conveyancer and a qualified mortgage adviser.

Planning · 6 min

Questions to ask a qualified mortgage adviser

A conversation framework for a first meeting with an FCA-authorised mortgage firm, built around what the FCA requires firms to disclose about their service, product range and remuneration. Educational only.

Preparation tools

Work it through yourself

Free educational tools. Nothing is submitted to a lender and no credit search is performed.

Readiness checker
Broad preparation questions, educational result bands
LTV calculator
Work out loan-to-value from value and loan amount
Document checklist builder
Build a printable paperwork list
Application timeline
Educational milestones from a target month

An optional resource for this situation

Optional educational preparation resources. Nothing here is mortgage advice, a lender or product recommendation, an eligibility assessment or a prediction of whether an application would be accepted.

Mortgage Preparation Starter Checklist — free
A one-page starting point for the paperwork most people are asked for.
Readiness checker
Eight broad preparation questions. It never says whether you would be eligible, approved or declined.
First-Time Buyer Preparation Planner — £7.99
A preparation resource, not mortgage advice or a lender recommendation. Purchases are not switched on yet.

Browse all resources

Common questions

Questions people ask at this stage

How much deposit do I need?: There is no single answer. Deposit requirements vary by lender, product and property. Our LTV calculator shows how a deposit changes loan-to-value, which is a useful concept to understand before speaking to an adviser.
Should I get an agreement in principle first?: That is a question for a qualified adviser, who can explain the trade-offs for your situation. An agreement in principle is not an offer or a guarantee.
Does using the checker affect my credit file?: No. Our tools do not perform any credit search and are not connected to any credit reference agency.

Independent advice

When you need personal advice

Preparation and advice are two different things. We can help you get organised; only a suitably qualified, FCA-authorised mortgage adviser can advise you on your own circumstances, assess what you may be able to borrow or recommend a product.

Before You Apply is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is not a mortgage adviser, broker or lender. We provide educational preparation resources only. We do not give mortgage advice, recommend lenders or products, assess eligibility, arrange mortgages or introduce you to advisers. If you need advice about your own circumstances, contact a suitably qualified FCA-authorised mortgage adviser directly.

Choose and contact an adviser independently. We do not introduce you to anyone, name any firm or receive any payment for anyone you contact.
You can check whether a firm or individual is authorised on the Financial Conduct Authority’s public register before you share any information.
Take your prepared documents and written questions with you — that is what this site is for.

Questions to ask an adviser Build your document checklist

What this hub does not do

It does not assess eligibility, estimate what you could borrow, compare or recommend lenders or products, arrange a mortgage or introduce you to an adviser. Those are regulated activities and Before You Apply is not FCA authorised.