clinkeys
Stage 4 of 10Make it official·Two to eight weeks

Getting a mortgage offer in the UK — application to approval

What lenders check, how long underwriting takes, and how to avoid the most common reasons UK mortgage applications get rejected.

Typical timescale
Two to eight weeks
Approximate cost
£0–£1,999 arrangement fee + possible booking/valuation fees
When in the journey
Phase 3 of 4 — Make it official

What happens at this stage

Your broker submits the full application. The lender runs proper credit and income checks, has the property valued, then issues a formal mortgage offer (valid 3–6 months).

What to do, in order

  1. 1Submit P60, three months of payslips, bank statements, and ID.
  2. 2Cross-check the offer document against your original mortgage illustration.
  3. 3Confirm any conditions you need to meet before drawdown.

Watch out for

  • Don't change jobs or open new credit during underwriting.
  • Downvaluation — the lender values the property below the agreed price.
  • Early repayment charges hidden in the small print.

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

How long does a UK mortgage offer take?
Most lenders issue an offer within 2–6 weeks of receiving a complete application. Simple cases (PAYE income, clean credit) can be quicker; self-employed, contract or complex cases take longer.
What is a downvaluation?
A downvaluation is when the lender's surveyor values the property below the price you agreed with the seller. You then need to either find the shortfall in cash, renegotiate, or pull out.
Can a mortgage offer be withdrawn?
Yes — a lender can withdraw an offer if your circumstances change materially (new credit, lost job) or if the property's valuation falls. Don't make major financial moves between offer and completion.

Free to read

Read the full guide free

Pop in your email to unlock this guide and every other Clinkeys home-buying guide — plus tips and updates as you go. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Free to read — we just ask for your email so we can keep the guides coming.

Your personalised version

Want this as a checklist tailored to you?

Sign up free and Clinkeys will track your progress through this stage, surface providers near your postcode, and remind you before deadlines slip.

See my next steps

Related guides

Keep reading

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