Get your Mortgage
in Principle.
Find out how much you may be able to borrow with a Mortgage in Principle before you make an offer on a property.
Also known as an Agreement in Principle, Decision in Principle or AIP, it gives you an initial indication of your potential mortgage borrowing position.
Apply for a Mortgage in Principle online and speak with a mortgage adviser about your circumstances and next steps.
*Subject to receiving the required information and documentation, lender availability and your individual circumstances. A Mortgage in Principle is not a mortgage offer.
Prefer to speak with us directly?
What is a Mortgage in Principle?
A Mortgage in Principle is an initial indication of how much a lender may be prepared to lend based on information about your circumstances. It is also commonly called an Agreement in Principle, Decision in Principle, AIP or DIP. Getting one before making an offer can help you understand your potential property budget and prepare for the next stage of your property search.
Tell us about you
Give us some information about your income, employment, deposit, existing commitments and what you're looking to achieve. This helps your adviser understand your circumstances and potential borrowing requirements.
Speak with a mortgage adviser
One of our mortgage advisers will review your circumstances, discuss your plans and establish what may be achievable. Where appropriate, we'll consider options from our panel of over 80 lenders.
Apply for your Mortgage in Principle
Once we've received and reviewed the information and documentation we need, we can identify an appropriate lender and, where suitable, apply for a Mortgage in Principle on your behalf.
Choose how you'd like to get started:
An Agreement in Principle shows how much you may be able to borrow based on the information you provide. It is not a mortgage offer and is subject to full application, underwriting and credit assessment.
A Mortgage in Principle,
whatever your next move.
Mortgage affordability can be assessed differently depending on your income, employment, deposit, credit commitments and the type of property you're buying. We'll take the time to understand your circumstances and help establish what may be possible.
First-time buyers
Get an indication of your potential borrowing and deposit position before viewing properties or making your first offer.
Home movers
Establish your potential borrowing alongside the equity from your current property so you can understand your next property budget.
Self-employed
Different lenders assess self-employed income differently. We can review accounts, salary, dividends or other income evidence where applicable.
Company directors
Salary, dividends, retained profits and shareholding can influence how lenders assess your income and potential borrowing.
Professionals & key workers
Your profession, career path, income structure and future earnings may all influence the mortgage options available.
Buy-to-let investors
Whether you're buying your first investment property or expanding a portfolio, we can help establish your potential borrowing position.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with your mortgage repayments.
Most Buy to Let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Know your position before
you find the property.
Getting a Mortgage in Principle before making an offer can give you a clearer understanding of your potential borrowing position and help you approach your property search with greater confidence.
Understand your budget
Get an indication of how much you may be able to borrow so you can focus your property search around a more realistic price range.
Be ready to make an offer
Having already reviewed your circumstances can help you move more quickly when the right property becomes available.
Identify issues earlier
Reviewing affordability, income and lender criteria earlier can help identify potential lending considerations before you commit to a property.
Ready to establish your position? Choose how you'd like to speak with us:
What do you need for a Mortgage in Principle?
The exact information required varies by lender and your circumstances, but preparing some key details can make the Mortgage in Principle process quicker and easier.
Details of your employment, salary, bonuses, self-employed income or other earnings.
An indication of the deposit available and, where relevant, where those funds are coming from.
Information about loans, credit cards, finance agreements and other regular financial commitments.
Whether you're a first-time buyer, moving home, buying to let or considering another type of property purchase.
Mortgage in Principle FAQs.
Answers to common questions about Mortgage in Principle applications, Agreement in Principle credit checks, validity and what happens next.
What is a Mortgage in Principle?
A Mortgage in Principle is an initial indication from a lender of how much they may be prepared to lend based on information about your circumstances.
It is not a mortgage offer and remains subject to a full application, underwriting, credit assessment and the property being acceptable to the lender.
What does Mortgage in Principle mean?
It means a lender has carried out an initial assessment using information about your circumstances and indicated how much it may be prepared to lend.
It does not mean that your mortgage has been formally approved.
Is an Agreement in Principle the same as a Mortgage in Principle?
Usually, yes. Mortgage in Principle, Agreement in Principle and Decision in Principle are different terms commonly used for the same general stage of the mortgage process.
You may also see them shortened to MIP, AIP or DIP.
Can I get a Mortgage in Principle online?
Yes. You can begin the process online by providing some information about your circumstances and what you're looking to achieve.
One of our mortgage advisers can then review your position and, where appropriate, arrange a Mortgage in Principle with a suitable lender.
How quickly can I get a Mortgage in Principle?
Once we have the information and documentation required to assess your circumstances, a Mortgage in Principle can often be obtained quickly.
In straightforward cases we aim to obtain one within 1 hour, subject to receiving and reviewing the required information and documentation, lender availability and your individual circumstances.
What do I need for a Mortgage in Principle?
You will typically need to provide information about your income, employment, deposit, existing credit commitments, expenditure and the type of property purchase you are considering.
Depending on the lender and your circumstances, supporting documentation may also be required.
Will a Mortgage in Principle affect my credit score?
Many lenders use a soft credit search at Mortgage in Principle stage, which is generally not visible to other lenders.
Some lenders may carry out a hard credit search. Your adviser can explain the type of search applicable before proceeding.
Does a Mortgage in Principle use a soft credit search?
Many lenders use a soft credit search, but this is not universal.
Some lenders use a hard credit search, so the type of credit check depends on the lender selected.
Can a Mortgage in Principle be declined?
Yes. A lender may decline a Mortgage in Principle if your circumstances do not meet its affordability requirements or lending criteria.
A decline from one lender does not necessarily mean that no mortgage options are available, as lender criteria can vary.
Can I be refused a mortgage after getting an Agreement in Principle?
Yes. An Agreement in Principle is an initial indication rather than a final mortgage approval.
A full application can still be declined following underwriting, verification of your circumstances, credit assessment or assessment of the property.
How long does a Mortgage in Principle last?
The validity period varies between lenders. Many Mortgage in Principle decisions remain valid for a limited period and may need to be refreshed if your property search continues beyond that point.
Your adviser can confirm the validity period for the lender used.
How much can I borrow?
There is no single income multiple that applies to everyone.
Lenders can consider income, expenditure, credit commitments, deposit, age, mortgage term and other circumstances when assessing affordability.
Do I need to have found a property first?
No. You can usually obtain a Mortgage in Principle before finding a property.
Establishing your potential borrowing first can help you understand the price range you may be able to consider.
I'm self-employed. Can I still get a Mortgage in Principle?
Potentially, yes. Different lenders assess self-employed income in different ways.
Depending on your circumstances, they may consider salary, dividends, share of profits, accounts or other evidence of income.
What happens after I get a Mortgage in Principle?
You can continue your property search with a clearer indication of your potential borrowing position.
Once you have an offer accepted, your adviser can review the mortgage products available at that time and, where appropriate, proceed to a full mortgage application.
Do I have to use the lender from my Mortgage in Principle?
No. A Mortgage in Principle does not commit you to taking a mortgage with that particular lender.
Available products, lender criteria and your own circumstances may change before the full mortgage application is made.
Is a Mortgage in Principle the same as a mortgage offer?
No. A Mortgage in Principle is only an initial indication of potential borrowing.
A mortgage offer is issued following a full mortgage application and the lender completing its underwriting, credit and property assessment.
Ready to get your Mortgage in Principle?
Start online or speak with us directly. Choose whichever option is most convenient and we'll help you understand your potential borrowing position and next steps.
How would you like to get started?
Mortgage in Principle usually within 1 hour, subject to receiving and reviewing the required information and documentation, lender availability and your individual circumstances.