Evidence and process checklist

Prepare for a first home without guessing.

Record the planning work you have completed and see the unresolved steps. This is not a mortgage eligibility score or approval.

Your preparation

Mark a step only when the evidence or decision is still current.

Monthly budget testedInclude mortgage stress and ownership costs.Deposit and costs separatedKeep tax, legal work, survey and moving costs visible.Emergency reserve protectedAvoid committing every available pound.Application evidence gatheredPrepare identity, income, statements and deposit source.Credit records reviewedCheck for errors and unexplained entries.Mortgage options researchedCompare total cost, criteria and flexibility.Property evidence plan readyPlan tenure, condition and comparable checks.Professional checks plannedPlan legal work and an appropriate survey.

First-time buyer preparation checklist and next actions
Planning area	Status	Suggested next action
Monthly budget tested	Review	Test mortgage payments and full ownership costs at more than one rate.
Deposit and buying costs separated	Review	Separate the deposit from tax, legal work, survey, mortgage fees and moving costs.
Emergency reserve protected	Review	Choose a cash reserve rather than committing every available pound to the purchase.
Application evidence gathered	Review	Gather identification, address history, income evidence, statements and deposit-source records.
Credit records reviewed	Review	Check reports for errors and avoid new borrowing solely to change an application.
Mortgage options researched	Review	Compare total cost, fees, flexibility and eligibility; treat an AIP as provisional.
Property evidence plan ready	Review	Plan how you will compare tenure, condition, sold evidence and local context.
Professional checks planned	Review	Plan independent survey and legal checks for the actual property and nation.

How to use this planner

Use the checklist to organise evidence and conversations, then revisit it when income, spending, savings, rates or the target property changes. A completed checklist does not mean a lender will approve an application or that a home is affordable or suitable.

A sensible order

Start with a resilient monthly budget and separate cash for the deposit, transaction costs and an emergency reserve. Prepare documents before seeking an Agreement in Principle, then research the actual property and arrange appropriate legal and survey checks.

Official and impartial starting points

Read GOV.UK buying-a-home guidance and MoneyHelper buying-a-home guidance. Processes and tax differ across the UK, and lender criteria vary. Reviewed 15 August 2026.

Buyer journey

From area research to professional checks

Follow the whole route or enter at the stage that matches your decision. Check first-home readiness before relying on a plan.