These are our standard criteria. Cases outside them are not automatically declined — they are referred to an underwriter who looks at the whole picture. If you are close but not quite inside a limit, talk to us.
Who we can lend to
| Criterion | Standard position |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 at application. |
| Maximum age | 75 at the end of the mortgage term, or your stated retirement age if earlier. |
| Number of applicants | Up to four, with income from a maximum of two counted in full. |
| Residency | You must be resident in a country we serve and able to evidence a residential address. |
| Employment | Employed with three months in the current role, or two years of filed accounts if self-employed. |
| Credit history | No undischarged bankruptcy. Historic issues are considered on their circumstances rather than automatically declined. |
Recently changed jobs?
A move within the same field, at the same or higher salary, is usually fine even inside the three months. A change of sector or a move to self-employment normally needs more history.
How we assess income
We lend on what you sustainably earn, evidenced. The headline multiple is a ceiling, not a target — affordability is what actually decides the amount.
- Employed
- Basic salary in full. Regular overtime, shift allowance and commission at 50–100% depending on how consistent the history is. Three recent payslips plus the latest annual statement.
- Self-employed
- Two years of filed accounts or tax calculations. We use the lower of the latest year or the two-year average. A single year may be considered with strong supporting evidence.
- Company director
- Salary plus dividends, or salary plus your share of retained profit where the business supports it.
- Contractor
- Day rate annualised over 46 weeks, with a minimum contract history and evidence of renewals.
- Other income
- Pension, rental and investment income considered where it is evidenced and expected to continue.
Income multiples
| Loan to value | Standard maximum |
|---|---|
| Up to 75% | 5.0 × income |
| 75.01% – 85% | 4.75 × income |
| 85.01% – 90% | 4.5 × income |
| 90.01% – 95% | 4.25 × income |
Higher multiples may be available to applicants with a substantial and stable income, assessed case by case.
Affordability and stress testing
We model whether you could still afford the payments if rates rose. It is the test that most often decides the final figure.
- Payments are stress tested at a rate materially above the product rate, in line with responsible lending requirements.
- Committed expenditure is deducted: existing credit, childcare, school fees, maintenance payments and ground rent or service charges.
- Household living costs are assessed against your actual outgoings rather than a flat assumption.
- Credit commitments ending within six months of completion may be disregarded where evidenced.
Improve your outcome before applying
Clearing a small loan or reducing a credit card limit shortly before applying can increase your borrowing capacity by more than the balance itself, because we assess the limit as well as the balance.
Deposit and loan to value
| Purpose | Maximum LTV | Minimum deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Residential purchase | 90% | 10% |
| First-time buyer | 95% | 5% |
| Remortgage | 85% | 15% equity |
| Investment / buy to let | 75% | 25% |
| Self-build and renovation | 70% | 30% |
Acceptable sources of deposit
- Personal savings, evidenced by statements covering at least six months.
- Sale proceeds from a property or other asset, with the completion statement.
- A gift from a close family member, with a signed letter confirming it is a gift and not repayable.
- A bonus or inheritance, evidenced.
What we cannot accept
A deposit funded by unsecured borrowing, or one whose source cannot be evidenced. This is a legal obligation on us, not a preference — see our financial crime policy.
Property we lend against
Generally acceptable
- Standard construction houses and apartments in reasonable condition.
- New-build properties with an acceptable structural warranty.
- Apartments with a sufficient unexpired lease term at the end of the mortgage.
- Properties above or adjacent to commercial premises, considered case by case.
Referred or declined
- Non-standard construction, including certain prefabricated and steel-framed types.
- Properties with known structural movement, or with an outstanding enforcement notice.
- Properties affected by significant flood risk without adequate insurance.
- Short lease terms, agricultural ties, and properties without vehicular or legal access.
- Properties intended for commercial use or multiple occupation without the correct licence.
A valuation is instructed on every application. It confirms the property is adequate security for the loan; it is not a survey and does not tell you whether the property is a good buy.
Loan terms
| Criterion | Standard position |
|---|---|
| Minimum loan | Stated on the product sheet; small loans may not be economic to arrange. |
| Maximum loan | Governed by affordability and LTV rather than a flat cap. |
| Minimum term | 5 years. |
| Maximum term | 40 years, subject to the maximum age at the end of the term. |
| Repayment method | Capital and interest as standard. Interest-only considered where a credible repayment strategy is evidenced. |
| Overpayments | Up to 10% of the outstanding balance each year without charge on most products. |
| Portability | Most products can be moved to a new property, subject to a fresh assessment. |
What happens after you apply
Decision in principle
A short assessment giving an indicative amount. Two to five working days, and no obligation.
Full application
Submitted once you have a property. Detailed income, expenditure and credit assessment.
Valuation
Instructed on the property. You may also commission a fuller survey for your own purposes.
Underwriting
A person reviews the whole file. Expect questions — answering the same day is the single biggest thing you can do to keep it moving.
Formal offer
Issued to you and your solicitor, with the rate, term, monthly payment, total repayable and every condition.
Completion
Your solicitor completes the legal work, funds are released, and repayments begin the following month.
While your application is live
Do not change job, open new credit, or make large unexplained transfers. Each one triggers a re-assessment and can delay or change the offer.
If your case is unusual
Criteria describe the standard path. Plenty of good applications sit slightly outside one line of it — a recent job change, an irregular income, an unusual property. Those are referred to an underwriter rather than rejected by a rule.
Documents you may also need
Today's Mortgage Rates
Indicative rates across our fixed, variable and specialist mortgage ranges, and the factors that decide which one you are offered.
MortgagesFixed Rate Mortgages
Your rate and your monthly payment are locked for an agreed period, so the largest bill in your household is a known number.
MortgagesFirst-Time Buyer Mortgages
Buying your first home, explained end to end — what you need saved, what you can borrow, and every cost nobody warns you about.
This document was last updated on 1 August 2026. We publish the current version here at all times; superseded versions are available on request.
If anything on this page is unclear, write to us and we will explain it.