What Do Lenders Really Look At When You Apply for a Mortgage?

1. Your Income

Lenders want to know that you can afford the mortgage you’re applying for. They’ll look at:

• Your salary (from payslips or contracts)
• Any additional income (like bonuses, overtime, child benefit, or rental income)
• If you're self-employed, they'll review your tax returns (and accountant’s figures if you run a Ltd Company)

💡 Top Tip: If you’re in a non-traditional job, like temp work or just started a new role - speak to us early. We’re used to working with clients outside the ‘norm’ and know which lenders to approach.

2. Your Credit History

Your credit score is important, but it’s only one part of the picture. Lenders will also review:

• Your credit commitments (loans, credit cards, car finance)
• Your payment history (any missed or late payments)
• The overall level of your debt

Don’t panic if you’ve had issues in the past, we specialise in looking beyond the number and helping you find solutions.

3. Your Outgoings

Lenders want to see that your monthly budget can comfortably handle the mortgage. They’ll assess:

• Utilities, and other bills
• Childcare costs or school fees
• Subscriptions, spending habits and lifestyle

We’ll often help you review this together before applying - sometimes a small change can make a big difference to your borrowing power. Most of these payments are within your control and most of the time don't cause any issues.

4. Your Deposit

How much you have saved (or are gifted) for a deposit affects:

• What lenders will be available to you
• Your interest rate
• Whether you need extra checks (e.g., if your deposit is gifted or from overseas)

💡 Top Tip: If you're working with a gifted deposit, we can walk you through the extra paperwork needed and make sure everything is documented properly.

5. The Property Itself

Yes - the home you’re buying matters too! Lenders will want to check:

• The property’s value (they’ll do their own valuation)
• The type of property (new builds, flats, and non-standard construction may be assessed differently)
• Location and resale potential

"At Campbell Financial, we don’t just plug your figures into a calculator and hit send. We take time to understand your whole story and present your application in the best possible light. Whether you’re a teacher on a temp contract, moving back to NI from mainland UK, recently started your own business or simply unsure how it all works - we’re here to guide you through it."

Sheena Campbell