{"id":279,"date":"2024-02-26T19:06:53","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T19:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/?page_id=279"},"modified":"2026-02-24T09:27:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T09:27:26","slug":"sorting-finances","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/financing\/sorting-finances\/","title":{"rendered":"Sorting out your finances"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"c-contents js-toggle c-contents--open\" id=\"\" data-toggle-active=\"c-contents--open\">\n    <button class=\"c-contents__header js-toggle-trigger\">\n        <h2 id=\"contents\" class=\"c-contents__title\">Contents<\/h2>\n        <svg class=\"c-icon c-icon--chevron-line-down c-contents__header__chevron\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-chevron-line-down\"><\/use><\/svg>    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"c-contents__body js-contents-body\">\n        <div class=\"row\">\n            <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n                <ul class=\"list-unstyled mb-0\"><li><a href=\"#6-12-months-ahead\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">How to prepare 6 to 12+ months in advance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#credit-history\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">Get your credit history into shape<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#credit-record\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">Check your credit record<\/a><\/li><\/ul>            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n                <ul class=\"list-unstyled mb-0\"><li><a href=\"#6-months-ahead\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">What you can do up to 6 months in advance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#important-documents\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">Gather important documents<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#your-spending\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">Familiarise yourself with your spending<\/a><\/li><\/ul>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When thinking about buying a home, you\u2019ll want to check your finances are in order before speaking to a mortgage lender or bank. Below we outline the basic things you could do in order to boost your chances when it comes to applying for a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\">mortgage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-12-months-ahead\">6 to 12+ months in advance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"register-to-vote\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Register to vote<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one of the main ways lenders verify your identity and address. So, if you\u2019re not already registered where you live, then you could put this at the top of your things-to-do list. You can&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/register-to-vote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get on the electoral roll<\/a>&nbsp;online. While you\u2019re checking, it\u2019s a good idea to make sure you\u2019re not still registered at a previous address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can\u2019t register to vote, because you\u2019re not a UK citizen, or qualifying EU or Commonwealth citizen \u2013 don\u2019t worry. The lender or bank will ask for different information to verify your identity and address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"save-up-for-your-deposit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Save up for your deposit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, the sooner you start saving, the more money you\u2019ll have for a deposit. And usually, the bigger your deposit, the better the rate you could get. You\u2019re also likely to have more choice when it comes to mortgage deals. A deposit of 5% of the property price is usually the minimum you\u2019ll need, but it can be 10% or more. So, if you can, it\u2019s worth thinking about your outgoings and what you can do without.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"credit-history\">Get your credit history into shape<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about how you look \u2018as a borrower\u2019. What might a lender think about your credit history? Is there anything you\u2019re doing that could make them more cautious? And, is there anything you can do to improve things? For example:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you have any debts, do you pay them off on time?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you pay all your bills on time?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have you got any old, inactive accounts? You might want to close them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have you applied for any additional credit, especially payday loans? This can make lenders more wary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you go into your overdraft?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you have any out-of-date, joint current accounts with someone else? If anyone you\u2019re linked to has a poor credit record, it might reflect on you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Records stay on your credit report for around 6 years, sometimes longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"payday-loans\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Payday loans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Be aware that some lenders can view payday loans negatively, even if you paid them off on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"job-stability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Job stability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lenders may feel more comfortable lending to you if you\u2019ve been in your job for a longer period.&nbsp; Each lender will vary, so it\u2019s best to check, but you could view 3-6 months as a minimum.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"credit-record\">Check your credit record<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll want your credit report to be in the best possible shape before a lender looks at it. Credit reports provide an insight into your payment behaviour \u2013 and lenders use them as part of their decision-making process. It\u2019s a good idea to check your credit record, just in case there are any errors, which could affect your score. Checking your own rating is viewed as a soft check and won\u2019t impact your score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t know what lending criteria lenders will score you against as this isn\u2019t publicly available. But don\u2019t be put off, different lenders have different ways to score customers \u2013 so if one doesn\u2019t want to lend to you, it doesn\u2019t mean that they all won\u2019t.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is possible to check your credit score for free, but agencies will often ask you to register for a free trial, which then rolls into an ongoing cost, once the trial period ends.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-related my-4\" id=\"\">\n    <h2 id=\"related-guides-and-news\" class=\"c-related__title\">Related guides and news<\/h2>\n    <div class=\"row gy-4\">\n                    <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-6\">\n                <div class=\"c-related__item\">\n                    <div class=\"c-related__item-title\">\n                        What is a credit score and how can you improve yours?                    <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/financing\/credit-score\/\" target=\"\" class=\"c-related__cta\">Read now<svg class=\"c-icon c-icon--chevron-line-right\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-chevron-line-right\"><\/use><\/svg><\/a>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-6\">\n                <div class=\"c-related__item\">\n                    <div class=\"c-related__item-title\">\n                        How do lenders use your credit score when you&#8217;re applying for a mortgage?                    <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/financing\/credit-score-mortgages\/\" target=\"\" class=\"c-related__cta\">Read more<svg class=\"c-icon c-icon--chevron-line-right\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-chevron-line-right\"><\/use><\/svg><\/a>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<script>\n\ngoogletag.cmd.push( function() {\n\n    var tmpAd = googletag.defineSlot('\/5029762\/Rightmove_guides\/Credit_check_sponsorship', [[728,90],[300,250],[728,90],[300,250]], 'block_7908e21df11512f9da074555f1e2bc13').addService(googletag.pubads());\n\n    var mapping = googletag.sizeMapping()\n                     .addSize([1100, 0], [[728, 90]])\n                     .addSize([768, 0], [300, 250])\n                     .addSize([758, 0], [[728, 90]])\n                     .addSize([0, 0], [300, 250])\n                     .build();\n\n    tmpAd.defineSizeMapping(mapping);\n\n    \/\/ Start ad fetching\n    \/\/googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\n    googletag.enableServices(); \n\n    googletag.pubads().setPrivacySettings( { \n        nonPersonalizedAds: cookie_consent,\n    } ).refresh();\n\n});\n<\/script>\n\n<div class=\"c-ad\" id=\"block_7908e21df11512f9da074555f1e2bc13\">\n    <script>\n        googletag.cmd.push( function() { \n            googletag.display('block_7908e21df11512f9da074555f1e2bc13');\n            googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) {\n                if ( event.size != null ) {\n                    \/\/ var ad_id = \"#\" + event.slot.getSlotElementId();\n                    \/\/ ad_el.width(event.size[0]);\n                    \/\/ ad_el.height(event.size[1]);\n                    \/\/ add class to say its loaded\n                    document.getElementById('block_7908e21df11512f9da074555f1e2bc13').classList.add(\"c-ad--loaded\");\n                }\n            });    \n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-months-ahead\">Up to 6 months in advance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"important-documents\">Gather important documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lenders want to get a good picture of your financial situation. This is why they will typically ask you for the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Proof of income \/ 3 months\u2019 payslips (they might contact your employer)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Last 3 months\u2019 bank statements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof of current UK address, such as a council tax bill or a utility bill from the last 3 months<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof of bonuses\/commission<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your latest P60<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your last 3 years\u2019 accounts or tax returns (if you\u2019re self-employed)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your Self Assessment tax return (if you\u2019re self-employed)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof of deposits (e.g. savings account statements)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof of ID (passport or photocard driving license)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A gift letter if you\u2019re getting help with your deposit, stating that the person is gifting you the money and not lending it to you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"your-spending\">Familiarise yourself with your spending<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you can get a mortgage, mortgage advisers or lenders will need to understand your spending habits so they can recommend a mortgage for you that\u2019s affordable and won\u2019t stretch you. In order to do this, you\u2019ll have an interview that could take anywhere between 1 and 3 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the interview is later in the process, it\u2019s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the areas you\u2019ll be asked about. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Essential expenses, like groceries, utility bills, and household cleaning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Basic quality of living costs, like clothes, holidays, household goods and childcare<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Repayments and other commitments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting your head around what you spend also means that if there are any areas where your spending is higher than you would like, you can take some steps to get on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind, you\u2019ll also be asked about any future plans that could impact the money coming into your household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thinking about buying a home? You can learn more about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\">mortgages<\/a>, apply for a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/mortgage-in-principle\">Mortgage in Principle<\/a>&nbsp;online, and get an idea of how much you could borrow by using our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/calculators\/mortgage-calculator\">Mortgage Calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"row mb-5 mt-4 g-4\" id=\"\"><div class=\"col-12 col-lg-6 mb-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/calculators\/mortgage-calculator\"\n   target=\"\"\n   class=\"c-calculator-module c-calculator-module--tall c-calculator-module--layout-2 c-calculator-module--light \" \n   data-module-admin-id=\"\">\n    <div class=\"c-calculator-module__media\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/doccalc.svg)\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"c-calculator-module__body c-wp c-wp--flush\">\n        <h2 class=\"c-calculator-module__title\">\n            <span>Try our Mortgage Calculator<\/span>        <\/h2>\n        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__content c-wp c-wp--flush\"><ul class=\"c-checklist c-checklist--light\">\n<li>Understand your affordability<\/li>\n<li>See your monthly repayments<\/li>\n<li>Check how much you could borrow<\/li>\n<li>Find homes that match your budget<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__footer \">\n                        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__footer__item c-calculator-module__footer__item--cta\">\n                <div class=\"c-calculator-module__cta\">\n                    <svg class=\"c-icon c-icon--arrow-line-right\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-line-right\"><\/use><\/svg>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div><div class=\"col-12 col-lg-6 \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/mortgage-in-principle\"\n   target=\"\"\n   class=\"c-calculator-module c-calculator-module--tall c-calculator-module--layout-2 c-calculator-module--light \" \n   data-module-admin-id=\"\">\n    <div class=\"c-calculator-module__media\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/calc-medium.svg)\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"c-calculator-module__body c-wp c-wp--flush\">\n        <h2 class=\"c-calculator-module__title\">\n            <span>Get a Mortgage in Principle<\/span>        <\/h2>\n        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__content c-wp c-wp--flush\"><ul class=\"c-checklist c-checklist--light\">\n<li>Find out how much you can borrow<\/li>\n<li>You could get property viewings faster<\/li>\n<li>Your credit rating won\u2019t be affected<\/li>\n<li>And you\u2019ll be 1 step closer to a mortgage offer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__footer \">\n                        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__footer__item c-calculator-module__footer__item--cta\">\n                <div class=\"c-calculator-module__cta\">\n                    <svg class=\"c-icon c-icon--arrow-line-right\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-line-right\"><\/use><\/svg>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"c-section c-section--primary-lighter my-4\" id=\"\">\n    <h2 class=\"c-section__title\">\n        To summarise    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"c-section__content\">\n        <p><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p id=\"6-12-months-ahead\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When thinking about buying a home, you\u2019ll want to check your finances are in order before speaking to a mortgage lender or bank.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things you can do 6 to 12+ months in advance<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Register to vote<\/li>\n<li>Save up for your deposit<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/financing\/credit-score\/\">Get your credit history into shape<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"6-months-ahead\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Up to 6 months in advance<\/h4>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li id=\"important-documents\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gather important documents, such as proof of income and 3 months&#8217; worth of bank statements and payslips.<\/li>\n<li>Familiarise yourself with your spending, looking at essentials like groceries, utility bills, and household cleaning, living costs and repayments and other commitments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Please note: Rightmove is not authorised to give financial advice; the information and opinions provided in these articles are not intended to be financial advice and should not be relied upon when making financial decisions. Please seek advice from a regulated mortgage adviser.\u202f<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When thinking about buying a home, you\u2019ll want to check your finances are in order before speaking to a mortgage lender or bank. Below we outline the basic things you could do in order to boost your chances when it comes to applying for a&nbsp;mortgage. 6 to 12+ months in advance Register to vote This [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1129,"parent":655,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","author_profile":""},"class_list":["post-279","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"author_profile":[]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sorting out your finances - Rightmove<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When thinking about buying a home, you\u2019ll want to check your finances are in order before speaking to a mortgage lender or bank.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" 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