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Stage 1 of 10Get ready·Up to a week

How much can I borrow? Mortgage Agreement in Principle, UK 2025

Before house hunting, get a free Mortgage Agreement in Principle. Here's how UK lenders work out what to lend you, and how to boost your chances.

Typical timescale
Up to a week
Approximate cost
Free
When in the journey
Phase 1 of 4 — Get ready

What happens at this stage

You assess your finances, get a free Agreement in Principle (AIP) from a lender, and lock in a comfortable monthly budget.

What to do, in order

  1. 1Pull a free credit report (Experian, Equifax, ClearScore).
  2. 2Speak to a whole-of-market broker for an AIP.
  3. 3Decide your real walk-away monthly payment.

Watch out for

  • Credit-card and car finance balances reduce what lenders will offer.
  • Treating the AIP figure as your budget — it's the ceiling, not the comfortable number.
  • Skipping a broker. They're usually free for first-time buyers and see deals your bank won't show you.

Who you'll need at this stage

Sample selection — your live dashboard will show postcode-matched providers with up-to-date prices.

Mortgage brokers

  • Habito

    Online · UK-wide · 4.7★ · Whole-of-market, free for the buyer.

    £0 broker fee

  • London & Country

    Online · UK-wide · 4.6★ · Fee-free, paid by lenders.

    £0 broker fee

  • Mortgage Advice Bureau

    350+ UK branches · 4.8★ · In-person specialist for complex cases.

    £300–£500

Frequently asked

What is a Mortgage Agreement in Principle?
An Agreement in Principle (also called a Decision in Principle) is a soft-credit-check letter from a lender confirming roughly how much they'd be willing to lend you. It's free, takes a couple of days, and is typically valid for 30–90 days.
How much can I borrow on a mortgage in the UK?
Most UK lenders will offer 4 to 4.5 times your annual income, though some go to 5.5x for higher earners. Your existing debt, credit history, and the length of the mortgage term all affect the final number.
Should I go to a broker or my bank?
A whole-of-market mortgage broker sees deals from across the industry and is usually free for first-time buyers (paid by the lender). Your bank only sees its own products.

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Last updated: 1 July 2026 · Clinkeys is not a regulated advisor. For binding decisions, always confirm with a solicitor, broker, or surveyor.