No impact on your credit score
Summary
Getting a Mortgage in Principle (also called AIP/DIP/MIP)
A Mortgage in Principle confirms borrowing with a soft credit check so you can view homes and make offers confidently.
A Mortgage in Principle, also called an Agreement in Principle (AIP) or Decision in Principle (DIP), is a short, written note of what you could borrow based on your basic details. It uses a soft credit check, so it doesn’t affect your credit score. It’s fast, simple and accepted by estate agents as proof you’re mortgage‑ready. Ideal for first‑time buyers, movers and landlords across the UK.
The Mortgage Broker have CeMAP‑qualified specialists and give FCA regulated advice, with access to 130+ lenders and 25,000+ products. Rated 5★ on Trustpilot with 2,500+ reviews and 5/5 on Google.
What you’ll get (quick overview)
- Speed & ease: 15 minute MIP’s
- Soft credit check only: No impact on your credit score.
- Minimal details: Income and ID; some lenders may ask for payslips or bank statements later.
- Downloadable certificate: Shows sellers and agents you’re serious and mortgage ready.
- Validity: Typically 30–90 days (varies by lender). Refresh if your circumstances change.
- Next step ready: Lays the groundwork so a full application can follow quickly when you’ve found a property.
When to speak to an adviser
- Your income is variable or you’re self‑employed/contracting.
- You’ve had past credit issues or been declined elsewhere.
- You’re buying new build, shared ownership or Right to Buy.
- You’re a landlord (BTL stress tests differ from residential).
- You need to align sale and purchase timings or are buying at auction.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Get a Trusted Mortgage in Principle Fast, Free and from Experts.
A Mortgage in Principle (also called an AIP or DIP) is a quick approval certificate that shows how much you could borrow from a mortgage lender. It does not affect any credit score, and helps you when viewing properties as you can search with confident and speed up your mortgage process.
Need a Mortgage in Principle?
At The Mortgage Broker, we offer free, no-obligation AIPs in under 15 minutes, backed by over 2,500 5-star reviews and access to 130+ UK lenders.
- Soft credit check only
- Valid for 30–90 days
- Trusted by thousands
- Instantly book a free appointment
Why Our Mortgage in Principle Works When Others Doesn’t
At The Mortgage Broker, we don’t just hit ‘submit’, we structure your application the way lenders need to see it and approve it. Our technology checks over 25,000 mortgage products from 130+ lenders, but it’s our human expertise that helps secure the best outcome.
Unlike instant apps that churn out generic AIPs, we:
- Use real soft credit checks (not estimates)
- Explain your results and next steps in plain English
- Offer a free broker-led review, not just automation
- Have 2,500+ 5-star reviews backing our service
With no fee for a mortgage in principle and advice that adapts to your circumstances, it’s trust, technology and tailored advice, all together.
15 Mins To get a mortgage in principle 25,000+ Search & Compare RatesFrequently Asked Questions – Mortgage in Principle
Yes, even with missed payments or defaults, you can still get a Mortgage in Principle. We work with lenders who understand your situation and can provide support.
No, at The Mortgage Broker, we use a soft credit check, which does not appear on your credit file or affect your credit score.
Most Mortgage in Principles are valid for 30-90 days. If it expires, it’s easy to get it reissued during your property search.
Usually, a deposit of 15% or more is needed with bad credit. If your income is strong, this might be lower, but typically, the worse the credit, the higher the deposit required.
A Mortgage in Principle is an initial statement from a lender indicating how much they might be willing to lend based on basic financial information like your income. It is not a binding offer but shows estate agents and sellers that you are a serious buyer.
| Mortgage in Principle FAQ | The Mortgage Broker Delivery |
|---|---|
 Speed of Certificate |
Get your AIP in under 15 minutes – Downloadable |
 Credit Check |
Soft check – no impact on your credit score |
 Validity Period |
Typically 30 to 90 days |
 Why Do I Need One |
Clarity, Helps with Viewings, offers & estate agents |
 Application Method |
Get Started Online, Free Appointment & Search |
 Trusted Broker |
2,500+ 5-star reviews | FCA Regulated | 130+ Lenders |
Frequently Asked Questions – Mortgage in Principle for your circumstances
Yes, obtaining more than one Mortgage in Principle is possible and sometimes beneficial for comparison or updating with a new lender.
Yes, self-employed individuals can get a Mortgage in Principle. Lenders usually require 2 years of accounts or recent contracts for contractors to assess affordability.
Buy to Let Mortgage in Principles focus more on rental income and the property portfolio rather than just personal income, often requiring stress tests.
You can receive a Mortgage in Principle in as little as 15 minutes using our integrated technology and lender access, providing immediate clarity during your search.
It isn’t required, but having one demonstrates that you are a serious buyer and may enhance your offer’s credibility with sellers and estate agents.
The mortgage deal The Mortgage Broker found us came to £300 less per month, than our original AIP told us from a different broker, and we had our mortgage offer within a week of applying.
Looking for a Mortgage in Principle?
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The Mortgage Broker can get you a mortgage in principle in 15 minutes. No problem.
But we do more than just that. We search over 25,000 mortgage deals from 130 lenders to ensure you get the most cost-effective option for your individual needs.
While many sites offer instant online results, they overlook important details that might end up costing you more in the long run, miss out on the best rate or even worse, cause you to fail when you near crunch time.
That’s where The Mortgage Broker are different. We combine digital speed with human trust, giving you fast answers and expert guidance from an award-winning adviser – completely free of charge. Whether you’re buying your first home or remortgaging, we’ll make sure you get the best rate possible.
Don’t cut corners for the sake of 15 minutes!
Yes. Not only can we get you a Mortgage in Principle, we will ensure it is the best possible rate in the market, the right mortgage for you and we will get you mortgage ready without affecting your credit score.
We can do instant mortgage in principles, or research exactly what you need.
- Get an Free Instant Mortgage in Principle, but with Advice!
- Access to over 130 Mortgage Lenders & 25,000 Rates
- Award Winning & Trusted Advice
- Fast, Friendly & Transparent Service
- Personal Dedicated Service
- Proven Record in Getting it Done
An mortgage in principle (offer in principle / decision in principle / agreement in principle) is a preliminary decision by the lender that indicates how much they would be willing to lend based on the initial set of facts that we present to them. This means it is not a formal offer and you are not able to complete a purchase or a remortgage with just a decision in principle.
Key Facts:
- Indicative quote on what you can borrow
- Often a soft foot print on your credit file
- Used to understand and illustrate how much you can borrow
- Demonstrates the buyer to be a serious buyer and financially capable
- Helps speed up the mortgage process when proceeding
Then we will switch it to a lower rate.
A mortgage in principle allows you to lock in the best rate there and then but you can still switch to a lower rate if a better rate becomes available.
No.
A mortgage broker can do what is called a “soft foot print” – which means you can get your mortgage information without it affecting your credit score. No full credit search is ever done without understanding your position.
If you’re not 100% sure, the safest way is to ask one of our team – contact form
Mortgage in Principle – Everything you need to know
So, you may have heard the term ‘mortgage in principle’ (also often abbreviated to MIP) and you may also have heard some similar sounding terms. Let us clarify for you:
- Agreement in principle
- Offer in principle
- Decision in principle
All of these are just different terms for the same thing.
What Is a Mortgage in Principle
A mortgage broker finds the best possible rate for your exact circumstances.
How to Get Started
Get Mortgage ready today – whether a first time buyer, a home mover or looking to remortgage, you can get started and get into prime position with an agreement in principle.
If you have your eye on a new property or remortgaging, a decision in principle will help you understand how much you can borrow, what the costs look like and what you are able to afford.
- Quick affordability checks
- 15 minutes for a decision in principle
- Understand how much you can borrow
- What does your mortgage look like!
If purchasing a property, a decision in principle makes you a stronger buyer. It means you know your costs, you are ready with the mortgage and are you are actively buying in that price range. If negotiating a price, this illustrates you can move faster and have had your affordability initially accepted by the lender.
Our team of mortgage experts will simply ask you some questions about you and anyone else that is applying for the mortgage. This will include information about your employment status, income and what you are looking to do. This will enable our team to see if we can get you an offer in principle, and this will not affect your credit score,Get a Soft Footprint Decision in Principle within 15 Minutes
No impact on your credit score!
Yes, we gather information around the clock, but decisions are processed during office hours to ensure accuracy with a specialist adviser.
Yes, using The Mortgage Broker’s soft credit check means you can receive a Mortgage in Principle without affecting your credit score.
Typically, you only need basic income information for a soft credit check. More detailed information will be required for a full mortgage application.
It’s possible to switch to a lower rate if available after you get a Mortgage in Principle, ensuring you lock in the best deal.
A Mortgage in Principle provides clarity on borrowing potential, speeds up the purchase process, and signals to sellers that you’re a credible buyer.
3 simple steps to getting mortgage ready!
Instant peace of mind with a mortgage in principle today. Free, no obligation advice.
Tell us what you are looking to do
We will search for the best rate
Get you a mortgage in principle
We Search Over 130 Lenders to Find you the Best Mortgage Rate
The Mortgage Broker has access to high street lenders and market wide specialist mortgage providers, which enable our team to find the most suitable and cost-effective mortgage options for your circumstances. We understand mortgages can be complicated, so let us do the technical work and make sure you get what you need for your financial circumstances. Plus – don’t get confused by terminology – these are all the same thing!
- Decision in principle
- Offer in principle
- Agreement in principle
- Mortgage in principle
Don’t Pay a Penny for a Mortgage in Principle
As a buyer you are taken far more seriously with an offer in principle in your hands. Be mortgage ready, with free, no obligation advice at The Mortgage Broker. Our award winning team can help you get what you need with instant searches, instant advice and clear transparent processes designed to make your house purchase experience as stress free as possible.
Really recommend the team. The portal for uploading documents is also very easy to use!
Need a Mortgage in Principle and Not Sure How To Proceed?
Having a clear understanding of what you can afford with help you with viewing properties, knowing what you can and cannot afford. It is not compulsory to have an offer in principle in order to view properties with an Estate Agent, or another method, but it absolutely shows the seller that you are serious about buying. This also means you are able to make an offer as soon as you find the property you like.
Are you looking for a mortgage in principle but are feeling uncertain about how to get started? It can certainly be confusing and there are often some misconceptions around this topic. Don’t worry – we are experts in this subject area, and in all aspects of getting a mortgage, and we are here to help you.
You might be wondering:
- What is a decision in principle?
- What are the pros (and cons) of having an offer in principle mortgage?
- Does having an agreement in principle mortgage guarantee you will get a mortgage?
- Do you need a mortgage in principle in order to get a mortgage?
- How do you get a decision in principle?
We will cover all of this, and more, to ensure you are fully armed with the expert knowledge you need to get started on your mortgage journey.
Unlock the best rates on the market with our expert guidance… absolutely free! Our award-winning advisors are here to get you mortgage-ready today.
Get complete clarity on your budget:
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From 130+ Lenders
With access to over 130 lenders and over 25,000 mortgage deals, you can be assured that we will do all that we can to find a solution for your individual scenario.
Request a call backWhat’s the Difference Between a Mortgage in Principle and an Actual Mortgage Offer?
A decision in principle (mortgage in principle / offer in principle / agreement in principle) is a preliminary decision by the lender that indicates how much they would be willing to lend based on the initial set of facts that we present to them. This means it is not a formal offer and you are not able to complete a purchase or a remortgage with just a decision in principle.
Key Facts:
- Indicative quote on what you can borrow
- Often a soft foot print on your credit file
- Used to understand and illustrate how much you can borrow
- Demonstrates the buyer to be a serious buyer and financially capable
- Helps speed up the mortgage process when proceeding
This is the formal agreement and offer of a mortgage from the lender. This means the lender, following a full fact check of the applicants circumstances, is willing to loan the agreed amount on the designated property.
Key Facts:
- Formal binding agreement by way of contractual commitment
- Subject to legal processes and property surveys
- Full search on credit report has been successfully approved
- Thorough assessment of applicants finances has been approved
- Illustrates the terms and conditions of the loan
- Includes loan amount, interest rate, repayment terms and any other conditions
What do I absolutely need for an offer in principle?
Our systems at The Mortgage Broker allow us to quickly establish whether or not you can get a decision in principle. In fact, to get an initial indication and acceptance from a lender, we only require the following:
- Details of Income
- Outgoings and Existing Credit
- Deposit Amount
How do I get a decision in principle?
Simply contact The Mortgage Broker and one of our specialist advisers will gather the information from you and search all our Lenders criteria. Within a matter of minutes, with the information you have provided, we can understand your affordability and options with getting a mortgage. If desired and/or required by an Estate Agent or Seller, we can run a decision in principle for you there and then.
Getting a Mortgage in Principle
Get StartedA mortgage in principle, means that the lender has indicated their willingness to loan a certain amount of money based on the initial facts they have received. This is a principle agreement, which illustrates they are happy with the initial circumstance of the borrower and the amount required on the mortgage. However, it is not a financial commitment and always depends on a full assessment of the borrower’s as well as on the property being purchased.
The most common term for a lender giving an acceptance on the initial facts is a decision in principle. However, this is also known as a mortgage in principle, an agreement in principle or an offer in principle. Fundamentally, they are all just different ways of saying the same thing. The important fact is, the lender has accepted the initial affordability and circumstances of the borrowers financial position.
No. However, this does illustrate that you are mortgage ready having satisfied initial checks and this does carry a lot of weight when making an offer on a property. This is sometimes a requirement and puts you in a much better position than others with estate agents, or other means such as auction. However, a decision in principle is not a financial commitment from the lender.
Can I get an mortgage in principle with The Mortgage Broker?
Yes.
Buying a property is stressful enough, worrying about the mortgage is something you simply don’t need to have on your plate. Whether a first time buyer, an experienced property landlord or are looking to move home, our team at The Mortgage Broker are focused on getting you mortgage ready in the fastest and simplest way possible.
Our goal is to ensure you understand your financial position clearly, with transparent advice and thorough searches of the mortgage market options available, so that we can get you that offer in principle and put you in a strong position for your property purchase.
With some simple information, we can access lenders, and understand if they are willing to provide an offer in principle to you, based on your financial position.
Therefore, to answer the question, can you get an mortgage in principle? You simple speak with our expert mortgage advisers so we can understand the income of all the applicants (if there is more than just you buying), how much deposit you have and how much you are looking to borrow. With this we can assess your affordability and eligibility against different lenders criteria and then assess whether you can get an offer in principle. This can be done with out the need for looking at your credit file, and all documentation if we are confident you have provided the information. However, this will all be required for a full mortgage application.
You don’t necessarily need to know how much you want to borrow if you haven’t yet found a property. We can advise you how much you may be able to get via a mortgage and the costs associated with this, with all other costs such as stamp duty considered in our affordability checks. We can then get an offer in principle for you, so you are mortgage ready.
The Mortgage Broker have over 12,000 mortgage products available to us across our panel of 96+ Lenders, and we understand which Lenders criteria may suit your circumstances best. If we can get your information up front as efficiently as possible, then we can quickly determine the right lender that fits your needs and apply for an offer in principle within a very short time frame.
There are two different types of searches that lenders will do to assess whether you are eligible for an offer in principle or not. In order to get an offer in principle, some lenders only require a “soft footprint search” or “soft credit check”. This enables pre-approval, and checks your credit report for informational purposes only. These background checks do not affect your credit score and are not visible to other lenders. The reason for a soft search, is that it enables high level background checks identity verification and a credit search as mentioned, in order to satisify the pre-approval process of an offer in principle. This will include searches for things such as credit card debts and loans. A full search however, also commonly known as a “hard search” or “hard credit check”, is more visible as it indicates that you are actively seeking credit by way of a mortgage. If you want to get a decision in principle from a lender and this includes a more formal credit report and background check, our team of mortgage advisers will be sure to talk you through this as it is important to know the impact of these. The reason for this is because it can have a negative impact on your credit file if you are refused a decision in principle which other lenders can then subsequently see. To ensure you are not affecting your credit score negatively, it is important to get an offer in principle through a mortgage broker, as their experience and knowledge of lending criteria, will ensure you go the right lender for your circumstances.Will you search my credit file to get an offer in principle?
What steps does a mortgage broker do to get an offer in principle?
Once our mortgage advisers gets the basic information from you, such as income, employment status, deposit, goals etc, the steps taken to get an offer in principle are typically as follows:
- Research Lenders
Searching the market for the best rate, and most suitable mortgage for your situation is key to a successful mortgage in principle. This will ensure that only the lenders that will support your product needs are considered.
- Application
The Mortgage Broker are integrated with Halifax and can get you an offer in principle within 15 minutes. We have over 12,000 other products that we can quickly search, and we can complete an application for you via our service and platforms. Of course, we also have years of relationship building and creditability behind us, so we do it online, but also speak over the phone directly if required.
- Credit Check
The lender will always perform a credit check when assessing the viability of your mortgage application. For an offer in principle, this is often just a soft check, but our team of advisers all know exactly which lenders do what and will advise you on this. The credit check is an important part of the process to establish creditworthiness and helps the lender to determine how much they are willing to lend you.
- Assessment
The lender will assess all the information that we provide them. This process is becoming increasingly digital and it is imperative that the information is presented correctly to ensure the best chance of finding the most cost-effective mortgage offer in principle.
- Decision
If all is successful with the information and application, then the lender will provide you with an offer in principle. This essentially outlines an initial acceptance based on the facts and illustrates how much the lender is willing to lend you.
The decision in principle is not a guaranteed offer of a mortgage. It is an indication of how much the lender is willing to lend you, but this is always subject to further checks and assessments by way of an income and expenditure budget review. This is why is is so important to use a mortgage broker when applying for a decision in principle, to ensure that you are presented correctly, and are applying to lenders that we know will follow through with their initial decision based on the criteria they have and your financial circumstances.
Do I have to get a decision in principle to make an offer on a property?
This depends on the method of your property purchase. It is becoming more and more common, that properties are being bought and sold via online auction. If you are purchasing through an online auction, more recently known as the Modern Method of Auction, then you are required to have a decision in principle before making an official bid. This is because you are expected to complete within 56 days and you must be mortgage ready to make this commitment.
Generally speaking though, it is not a requirement to have a mortgage offered in principle in order to make an offer on a house. Estate agents and sellers will take you more seriously as a buyer, but it is not normally a requirement. Sellers can stipulate that they require you to prove you have a decision in principle before considering your offer.
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