First time home buyer documents needed

Buying your first home means gathering documents at every stage. From proof of identity to mortgage applications to conveyancing paperwork, it can feel overwhelming.

This checklist breaks down exactly what you need and when you need it, organised by each stage of the process.

Quick answer: You need three document categories

• Identity & address proof - passport or driving licence plus recent utility bill
• Mortgage application documents - payslips, bank statements, proof of deposit
• Conveyancing documents - ID verification, mortgage offer, proof of funds

Before house-hunting - Carry out a credit check and obtain proof of your savings to ensure your plans are viable and give you a realistic idea of property types to consider.

Getting a Mortgage in Principle (MIP) - The Mortgage in Principle is a written estimate from a mortgage lender indicating how much they'd lend based on an initial assessment of your finances.

For the MIP, you'll need basic identification and information about your income and outgoings. It's not a formal mortgage application.

Full mortgage application - Once you've found a home, you can apply for your full mortgage. This requires comprehensive evidence of your income for the previous 3 to 6 months.

After your offer is accepted - At this stage, you'll appoint your solicitor and provide all necessary documents so they can progress your transaction and complete identity and anti-money laundering verification. Learn what happens after your offer is accepted.

Before exchange - You'll need written confirmation of your mortgage offer plus proof of all funds for your home purchase (deposit, gifts, scheme eligibility).

Completion day - You'll get the keys and access to your home! Keep all your home purchase documents safe together (passport, driving licence, bank cards, etc).

You'll need to prove your identity and address to both your solicitor and mortgage lender.

Proof of identity (choose one)

• Valid UK or EU passport
• UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• National identity card (EEA/Swiss nationals)
• Biometric Residence Permit (eligible visa holders)

Important: Any chosen identity document must be current and in-date. Expired documents will be rejected.

Proof of address (choose one, dated within 3 months)

• Recent utility bill (gas/electric/water) - must be the full bill in your name, not a summary
• Council tax bill or statement
• Bank or building society statement
• Mortgage statement (if applicable)

What won't be accepted: Mobile phone bills, TV licence

Tip for joint buyers: You'll need at least one utility bill with both names. Set this up early so you have the documentation ready when needed.

What you need depends on your employment status.

For employed buyers

Income evidence:

Payslips
Provide payslips covering at least 6 months. Most lenders want to see a minimum of 3 months, but some require more.

P60
Not usually requested, but have the last 1-2 years available in case the lender asks.

Employment contract
Required if you've just started a new job or are on a fixed-term contract. The lender needs to assess your employment stability.

Bank statements:

You'll need 3-6 months of statements showing:

• Income deposits with amounts clearly visible
• The source of each deposit must be clear
• PDF statements downloaded from online banking are acceptable to most lenders

Practical tip: In the 6 months before applying, clean up your bank statements. Avoid gambling, payday loans, or regular overdrafts - anything that might concern lenders about your financial management.

For self-employed buyers

Income evidence:

• SA302 forms - last 2 years from HMRC
• Tax Year Overviews - last 2 years
• Certified accounts or tax computation reports

By business type:

• Sole traders: SA302 forms + Tax Year Overviews
  
• Limited company directors: Company accounts (2 years) + SA302 forms + payslips if receiving PAYE
  
• CIS workers: Last 13 weeks of CIS statements (or 3 months if paid monthly)

Proof of deposit

Before applying for a mortgage, you need confirmed funds for your deposit - typically between 5% and 10% of the property's asking price, depending on your mortgage product.

What lenders accept:

Bank statements showing your deposit

• UK/EEA accounts: 1 month usually sufficient
• Non-UK/EEA accounts: 3-6 months required

Savings account statements
Including Help to Buy ISA or Lifetime ISA accounts. Learn about government schemes for first-time buyers.

Premium Bonds, investment, or pension statements (if applicable)

If you have a gifted deposit:

You'll need a letter from the donor(s) confirming it's a non-refundable gift with no interest or financial claim on the property. Our guide to gifted deposits explains the full process and documentation requirements.

Once your offer is accepted, your solicitor will need various documents from you while also receiving documents from the seller and their solicitor. 

You'll need to provide:

Photo ID and proof of address
Your solicitor needs independent verification to meet anti-money laundering regulations.

Mortgage offer
Once you receive it from your lender, forward it to your solicitor immediately.

Proof of all available funds
Evidence of how you're paying the asking price and deposit (bank statements, gifted deposit letters, scheme confirmation).

You'll receive from the seller:

• Title deeds - Digital copy from HM Land Registry
• Property Information Form (TA6) - Details property boundaries, disputes, alteration history, and utilities
• Fittings and Contents Form (TA10) - Specifies what's included in the sale
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - Energy efficiency grading from an accredited assessor
• Building certificates - Confirmation of building regulations for extensions and major refurbishments; FENSA certification for double glazing installation
• Warranties and guarantees - Current warranties for new appliances, electrical work, damp and timber treatment
• Gas Safety Certificate - If applicable, must be certified within the last 12 months

Additional documents by property type

For new-build properties:

NHBC Buildmark warranty - Covers 2 years by the builder plus 8 years insurance

See our guide to new build conveyancing for full requirements.

For leasehold properties:

• Lease and lease plan copies - Details of lease length and terms
• Management pack - Information on service charges, ground rent, communal areas
• Service charge accounts - Previous year's income and expenditure

Understanding conveyancing feeshelps you budget for the legal costs of your home purchase.

Good news, the documents you need are identical in both England and Wales.

The only difference is tax treatment: 

England (Stamp duty land tax)

• First-time buyers: £0 on properties up to £300,000 (from April 2025)
• Then 5% on £300,001-£500,000 
• If the property is above £500,000, no relief applies and standard rates apply

Wales (Land Transaction Tax)

• No first-time buyer relief 
• All buyers: £0 up to £225,000
• Then 6% on £225,001-£400,000
• Then 7.5% on £400,001-£750,000

Read our first-time buyer updates to understand recent changes to stamp duty relief. You can also check the stamp duty rates in more detail.

Here are solutions to common documentation issues:

• Missing payslips?
  Request copies from your employer. If you've recently started a new job, some lenders accept your employment contract alongside payslips from your previous employer.
• No P60?
  Request a duplicate from your employer or download a copy from HMRC online.
• Name discrepancies?
  Provide your marriage certificate, deed poll, or divorce decree confirming your legal name change.
• Recent job change?
  Some lenders accept your first month's payslip alongside your employment contract. Consider using a mortgage broker who can guide you to suitable lenders.
• Foreign nationals?
  You'll need additional residency documentation plus recent bank statements from your home country.
• Expired ID?
  Renew immediately - passport renewal can take 3-10 weeks.
• Expired Mortgage in Principle?
  The MIP has a limited validity period, typically 60-90 days. If your transaction is taking longer or your MIP expires while house-hunting, reapply with your lender.
• Missing utility bills?
  Contact the utility company for a duplicate or print one from their online portal. Ensure it shows your name and current address clearly.
• Missing bank statements?
  Request duplicate copies from your bank or print them from your online banking application. Ensure they're the official PDF format, not screenshots.

Our experienced team of conveyancing specialists is ready to guide you through each step, keeping you updated on progress and highlighting exactly what's needed and when.

Get your instant conveyancing quote or call our friendly team on , we'd be happy to help and answer any questions you may have.