Do i need a utility bill in my name to get a mortgage?

Nixxx

Hi

I am looking to buy at some point next year or when the housing market stabilises. I am trying to get myself in the best financial position possible for when the time comes.

I currently rent and there are no bills in my name except for my bank statements, and mobile phone. Should i get a bill put in my name? Will this make a difference when i comes to applying for a mortgage?

Any advice will be sincerely appreciated.

terryw

Nixxx wrote: »

Hi

I am looking to buy at some point next year or when the housing market stabilises. I am trying to get myself in the best financial position possible for when the time comes.

I currently rent and there are no bills in my name except for my bank statements, and mobile phone. Should i get a bill put in my name? Will this make a difference when i comes to applying for a mortgage?

Any advice will be sincerely appreciated.

The mortgage lender will require proof of identity and address. I would think that your driving licence and mobile bill would suffice but obviously this depends upon the lender.

the poster formerly known as
terryw

minimike2

Mobile phone bills are generally not accepted as proof of address, however your bank statement will be acceptable.

Going onto a utility wont improve your chances of being accepted for the mortgage, the bills are just a solid form of address verification. (Or not as the case is starting to become, as more people opt for paperless billing!).

Optimisticpair

A passport in your current address would probably be an acceptable proof of identity as its got a photo on and of your residence. Being on the electoral register would help your standing and a utility to show you have been able to pay bills.

minimike2

Passports do not count as address verification as they do not have your address on them (apart from where you write it in on the back your next of kin address, but you could write anything on it!!) but are the strongest form of personal ID.

Best combination is Passport for ID, Driving Licnese for address verification.

wymondham

It will improve your chances if you do have a utility bill in your name, or you could maybe use a council tax bill/tax credits letter etc...

In this online day and age it is getting more difficult to provide this info. All my utility bills are now online only (having chosen the 'green' option!) so whenever I have to prove who I am it sometimes takes me a few weeks whilst I request they post me one!

Toughluck

Going on a utility bill won't improve your chances of getting a mortgage. In fact. mess up with the utility companies and I have known small CCJ's to be regisitered!! It is based on your credit worthiness, age, income and many other things besides.

As minimike said. Passport for ID. D/L or banks statement or any bill (apart from mobile phone bill) is OK for proof of where you live.

flea72

most lenders want two forms of ID for address verification, and 2 forms for personal ID. we are having the same problem you are concerned about. Only have bank statement and Driving Licence (have no credit cards or utility bills) that we can use for address verification , but this then means you cannot use your driving licence for personal ID. Currently going round in circles with solicitors, as to what ID we can use

Flea

herbiesjp

Tax coding letters, Benefit statement letters, council tax bills can also be used as proof of address, amongst other things

minimike2

flea72 wrote: »

most lenders want two forms of ID for address verification, and 2 forms for personal ID. we are having the same problem you are concerned about. Only have bank statement and Driving Licence (have no credit cards or utility bills) that we can use for address verification , but this then means you cannot use your driving licence for personal ID. Currently going round in circles with solicitors, as to what ID we can use

Flea

Its usually only one of each not two. You may find that they ask for more than one if you do not have strong enough ID, i.e Passport or Driving License.

dunstonh

Only have bank statement and Driving Licence

Which meets the criteria.