Why do lenders ask for bank statements and why are screenshots not accepted?

Lenders use bank statements to understand your usual spending, existing commitments, and whether your income matches what’s declared on your application. Screenshots often don’t show all the required information and can be edited easily, so most lenders require full PDF statements downloaded directly from your bank.

I’m paid weekly or my income varies. What do lenders usually need?

This is very common. Lenders typically ask for a specific number of payslips depending on how you’re paid, such as weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, and they’ll cross-check these against your bank statements. If you’re self-employed, the income evidence required is different and usually based on accounts or tax documents.

First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advice

Get Your First Home with Calm, Clear Mortgage Guidance

Q: Will my credit history stop me getting a mortgage?

Not necessarily. Lenders look at the type of credit issues, how long ago they occurred, and whether they form a pattern, rather than focusing on a single credit score. Minor or historic issues don’t automatically mean a mortgage isn’t possible, and improving your credit profile can often widen your options.

Buying your first place is a big step, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. We’ll help you understand deposits, affordability, credit scores and each stage of the process – with no pressure, no jargon and support from start to finish.

Book Intro Call Book Mortgage Strategy Call

Not sure which call you need? See the difference between Intro & Strategy Calls

Mortgages for Broadstairs, Thanet & the wider Kent coast

Worried you might be missing something?

Most first-time buyers we speak to share the same concerns: “Is my deposit enough?”, “Will my credit score hold me back?”, “What if the bank says no?”.

Our job is to join the dots. We’ll help you understand where you stand today, what’s realistic for you, and what needs to happen next – so you can move ahead with confidence instead of guesswork.

Is my deposit enough?

We’ll explain how lenders view your savings, gifted deposits and low-deposit schemes.

How much can I really afford?

We’ll look at income, commitments and future plans to work out realistic budgets – not just headline figures.

Is my credit going to be a problem?

From missed payments to thin credit files, we’ll help you understand what lenders will actually care about.

Nervous about “getting it wrong”?

We’ll break the process into clear steps and talk things through in normal language, not bank-speak.

Your first-time buyer roadmap

From first questions to completion, here’s how we’ll guide you through. You’ll always know what’s happening, why, and what we’re doing behind the scenes.

Step 1 (optional)

Intro Call

Not sure where to start? This short, informal call helps you sense-check your ideas, ask early questions and see if we’re the right fit – no obligation.

Best if you’re still exploring.

Step 2

Strategy Call

We take a deeper look at your goals, income, credit and timelines. Before the call you’ll complete a fact-find so we can run the numbers and prepare tailored options – including indicative affordability, monthly payments and protection ideas that fit your plans.

Step 3

Decision in Principle

When you’re ready, we research the market and recommend a lender that fits your situation. We then secure a Decision in Principle so you can view properties with confidence.

Step 4

Full Mortgage Application

We handle the paperwork, submit your application and liaise with the lender, estate agent, your solicitor – and your accountant if needed – to keep everything moving.

Step 5

Legal Work & Completion

Your solicitor completes the legal checks and contracts. We stay close, answering questions and nudging where needed, right through to getting the keys and settling in.

You’ll always know who is doing what and when.

Helpful tools while you’re planning

Prefer to play with the numbers first? These free tools give you a feel for what’s possible before we talk things through properly.

Monthly Mortgage Payment Calculator See how different loan amounts, terms and interest rates could look each month.

Mortgage Overpayment Calculator Check how small overpayments could save interest and shorten your mortgage term.

Stamp Duty Calculator Work out what you might owe on different purchase prices.

Mortgage Jargon Buster Plain-English explanations of the terms you’ll see in mortgage paperwork.

Intro Call vs Strategy Call – What’s the Difference?

Not sure which appointment to choose? These FAQs explain how each call works and what to expect.

Which call is right for me?

In short: if you’re just starting out and want a friendly chat about your options, an Intro Call is perfect. If you’re ready to look at detailed numbers and specific recommendations, a Strategy Call is the better fit.

Intro Call: informal, around 15 minutes, ideal for early questions and next steps.
Strategy Call: detailed, up to 60 minutes, includes research, figures and tailored advice.

If you’re unsure, don’t worry – book whatever feels closest, and we’ll make sure the conversation focuses on what matters most to you.

The Intro Call is a short, informal chat designed for those who want to explore their options before diving into the full mortgage process. It’s a great way to ask initial questions, understand how we can help, and decide on the best next steps.

The Strategy Call is a more in-depth conversation where we take a closer look at your mortgage goals, financial situation and eligibility. This call helps us outline potential options tailored to you, including indicative affordability and monthly payments.

If you're unsure which to choose, start with the Intro Call – we can always book a Strategy Call when you're ready for more detail.

Intro Calls take place either over the phone or via Microsoft Teams.

Strategy Calls are typically held via Microsoft Teams, but if you’d prefer to meet in person at our Broadstairs office, just reply to your confirmation email to let your adviser know.

No, there’s absolutely no cost for any of the mortgage calls. We believe in offering support and guidance upfront, so you can ask all the questions you need – completely obligation-free.

That’s completely fine. If you’re unsure, just pick the one that feels closest to your situation. During the call we’ll focus on the goals that matter most to you – and if you’d benefit from a more detailed Strategy Call afterwards, we can arrange that together.

The Intro Call is a quick, informal chat usually lasting around 15 minutes.

The Strategy Call is more detailed and typically lasts around 45–60 minutes, although we block out 90 minutes to ensure we have plenty of time to explore your situation, assess your options and answer all of your questions.

After the call, we’ll email you with a summary of what we discussed, along with any next steps. There’s no obligation to proceed, but if you’re ready, we’ll guide you through the mortgage process from start to finish.

Of course – life happens. You’ll find a reschedule button in your confirmation email so you can choose a new time that works better for you.

It’s not essential, but providing documents such as proof of income, your credit report and recent bank statements before a Strategy Call can be really helpful. It gives your adviser a chance to review your information and identify any potential hurdles ahead of time, so you can get the most out of the session.

Meet your first-time buyer team

You’ll always know who you’re dealing with. Your mortgage advice will be handled by James or Rob, with Lucy and Chrissie keeping everything on track behind the scenes.

James Brown, Director and Financial Adviser at Need Financial Planning

James Brown – DipFA CeMAP CeRER Director & Financial Adviser

Financial & Mortgage Advice

James specialises in helping clients see the bigger picture – from your first mortgage through to long-term financial planning, pensions and later-life lending.

Robert Brown, Director and Mortgage & Protection Adviser at Need Financial Planning

Robert Brown – CeMAP ACA Director & Mortgage & Protection Adviser

Mortgages & Protection

Rob is calm, clear and detail-focused. From first-time buyers and home movers to remortgages, landlords and complex income cases, he’ll guide you through the options and make sure your cover protects the people and plans that matter most.

Lucy Baron Office Manager

Case Management

Lucy keeps your application moving – chasing updates, coordinating paperwork and making sure you always know what’s happening next.

Chrissie Swain Admin & Marketing

Client Comms & Resources

Chrissie looks after the guides, updates and little touches that make the process feel clearer and more organised from day one.

What our clients say about us

We’re proud to have helped first-time buyers, home movers and remortgagers across Broadstairs, Thanet and beyond. Here’s what some of them had to say:

First-time buyer FAQs

Quick answers to common first-time buyer questions

These are the questions we hear most often, explained in plain English. Where it helps, we’ll link you to a deeper guide so you can get properly mortgage-ready.

How much deposit do I need as a first-time buyer?

Most lenders will consider a first-time buyer deposit from 5%, but having more deposit can open up better rates. What you’ll realistically need depends on your income, credit profile, and the property type (plus the lender’s criteria at the time).

If you’re not sure where you stand yet, we can sense-check your numbers early and help you plan around the full cost of buying.

Will my credit history stop me getting a mortgage?

Not necessarily. Lenders look at what happened (missed payments, defaults, payday loans etc), when it happened, and whether it’s a one-off or a pattern — not just a single “score”.

If you’re working on improving your credit, this blog is a useful starting point.
Read more: improving your credit score

What is an Agreement in Principle (AIP) and when should I get one?

An Agreement in Principle (AIP) is a lender’s initial indication of how much you may be able to borrow, based on your income, credit profile, and basic details.

Most first-time buyers arrange an AIP before making offers on a property, as it shows estate agents and sellers that you’re serious and financially viable. It can also help you avoid offering on a home that’s outside your realistic budget.

An AIP doesn’t lock you into a lender and isn’t a full mortgage offer, but it’s an important early step in buying with confidence.
Read more: Agreement in Principle explained

What documents will I need for a first-time buyer mortgage?

Most lenders will ask for proof of ID and address, proof of deposit, and evidence of income (such as payslips or accounts), alongside bank statements showing your day-to-day finances.

We’ve pulled the full list together here, with practical tips on what lenders need to see.
Read more: mortgage application documents

Why do lenders ask for bank statements (and why won’t screenshots do)?

Lenders use bank statements to understand your normal spending, existing commitments, and whether your income matches what’s declared. Screenshots usually don’t show the full details lenders need (and they’re easier to edit), so most lenders require a proper PDF download.

If you need help downloading the correct format, start here:
Read more: bank statement guides

I’m employed, but paid weekly (or my income varies). What do lenders need?

It’s very common. Lenders typically want a set number of payslips depending on how you’re paid (weekly, fortnightly, monthly), and they’ll check that the income shown matches what’s landing in your bank.

We’ve explained exactly what lenders usually expect here:
Read more: payslips and mortgage applications

Self-employed first-time buyer? The documents are different (and we’ll help you get them mortgage-ready).
Read more: self-employed mortgages

First-time buyers

Your complete first-time buyer guide — all in one place

Deposit planning, documents, affordability, negotiating, conveyancing, moving day… it’s a lot. This workbook pulls it together in plain English, so you can feel prepared (and a bit less overwhelmed).

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.

IMPORTANT: With investments, your capital is at risk. Pensions and investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest.

Need Financial Planning Ltd is registered in England and Wales no. 10901658. Registered office, 123 High Street, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1NQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Need Financial Planning Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register https://register.fca.org.uk/ under reference 977136. If you wish to register a complaint, please write to [email protected] or telephone 01843 228800. A summary of our internal complaints handling procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints is available on request and if you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 0234 567.