A mortgage in principle is a quick way to find out how much you could borrow before you start house-hunting. This guide explains what it is, why it matters, and how to get one. It’s based on current UK mortgage processes and applies to first-time buyers and home movers.
Oct 6, 2025
A mortgage in principle (also called an Agreement in Principle or Decision in Principle) is a statement from a lender showing how much they might be willing to lend you.
It isn’t a full mortgage offer, but it’s a useful starting point when you’re figuring out your budget. Estate agents also take buyers more seriously when they already have a mortgage in principle.
Getting a mortgage in principle early in your search has clear benefits:
Before you get a mortgage in principle, make sure you’ve gathered some basic information:
Lenders use this information to run a soft credit check and estimate how much they may lend.
You’ve got three main ways to do it:
Most banks and building societies let you apply online in under 15 minutes. You’ll get a figure showing the maximum they may lend, subject to checks later.
A broker like MBNM can check your situation against multiple lenders at once. This is especially useful if your income isn’t straightforward or you want to avoid unnecessary credit checks.
Your current bank might offer a mortgage in principle quickly since they already hold your financial data. It’s often fast, but you may not get the best deal if you only look there.
Once you have your mortgage in principle, you can:
Just remember, a mortgage in principle isn’t binding. The lender will do full checks when you apply for the actual mortgage.
Most mortgage in principle certificates are valid for 30 to 90 days. If yours expires before you find a property, you can usually renew it easily with updated details.
If your financial situation changes in the meantime (e.g. new job, more debt), the amount offered may change too.
At Mortgage Brokers Near Me (MBNM), we help buyers secure mortgage in principles quickly and with minimal fuss. Our team looks at your situation, matches you with suitable lenders, and guides you through what to expect next.
Whether you’re buying your first home or moving up the ladder, we’ll help you set a clear budget and move confidently. Get in touch with us here.
A £600k mortgage typically needs a household income in the £130k+ range if you’re relying on standard salary multiples, but the exact number moves based on outgoings, deposit size, credit history, and whether your income is straightforward. Use the numbers below as a realistic guide, then sanity-check it with a proper affordability review before you commit to a property search.
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