- Core documents
- ID, address proof, accounts, title info
- Typical prep time
- 1-3 days if organised in advance
- Additional for investment deals
- Tenancy schedule and lease copies
- Additional for development
- Build costs, planning consent, schedule of works
Personal and business identification
Every applicant and, for company borrowing, every director and significant shareholder needs to complete AML checks: photo ID, proof of address dated within three months, and source of funds or wealth evidence for larger transactions.
- Passport or driving licence
- Utility bill or bank statement for address
- Source of funds evidence for deposits or capital raises
Financial evidence
For businesses this means filed accounts and recent bank statements; for individuals it may mean self-assessment tax returns, payslips, or a schedule of assets and liabilities. The further your latest accounts are from year-end, the more likely a lender will also want management information.
Property and title information
A copy of the title register and plan from the Land Registry, details of any existing charges, and — for investment properties — a full tenancy schedule with lease copies. Development or refurbishment deals additionally need planning consent, a schedule of works and a costed build budget.
Exit and purpose documentation
For bridging in particular, lenders want written evidence of the exit route: an estate agent appraisal, a decision in principle from a refinance lender, or a memorandum of sale. For commercial mortgages, a short narrative on the purpose of the loan supports the underwriting case.
Frequently asked
What's the single most common missing document?
Up-to-date proof of address and, for company applications, ID for all directors rather than just the lead applicant — both cause delays when discovered midway through underwriting.
Do I need a solicitor before I apply?
Not before the application itself, but having one lined up who's used to the relevant type of transaction (bridging, commercial, or auction) means legal work can start the moment terms are agreed.
How current do bank statements need to be?
Most lenders want the latest three to six months, current as close to the application date as possible.
What if my accounts are more than a year old?
Provide recent management accounts alongside them — most lenders expect this once filed accounts are more than seven or eight months out of date.
Do I need everything before the first conversation with a broker?
No — an initial assessment can usually be made from a summary of the deal, with full documents gathered once you decide to proceed to formal application.
Get your documents checklist tailored
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