Information needed for mortgage: not much proof of address

str3ngth

Hi, I'm a new member of these forums, but after reading some of the posts here I've realised I can do with a bit more information to help buying a house.

I'm a first time buyer in Scotland and I've just asked my solicitor to put an offer to buy a flat. It's pretty nerve-wracking waiting to see if it's been accepted so in the meantime I want to see what I can do to speed things up once an offer is accepted.

I got an online agreement in principle with HSBC but the solicitor warned that they can be difficult dealing with Scottish solicitors.

I'm more concerned about the lack of paperwork showing that I live at my current address. I'm lodging and the land lady pays all bills in her name. I've also been lazy and not updated my bank account to show my new address: it still used my parent's address. (I moved out to one flat about 2 years ago and moved to current place in October).

What I do have to prove I live in my current place is:
1) Payslips
2) Car insurance documentation

Will this affect my mortgage and if so is there anything I can do to help?

GMS

Which address did you use for the AIP?

Payslips and car insurance are not likely to be accepted for proof of address.

sockpuppet

I think, ideally, the best thing would be to get your bank account changed as soon as possible so you have bank statements showing your address. Or a driving licence?

Lenders will not accept wage slips or car insurance. Even if they verify you electronically from the voters roll they may well want at least one other item or if you are using a broker, they will need to have something for their own files.

Are you on the voters roll? (not sure if that is the same in scotland as england??)

str3ngth

I'm registered to vote. My polling card was sent to my last flat. I didn't do anything so say I'd moved to that address so I'm guessing that was updated when I started paying council tax at that address? As a lodger I'm not paying council tax now, so I'm not sure if the electoral register will be updated with my current address yet.

I'm pretty sure I filled in the HSBC AIP form with my current address, although it was all online and didn't ask for any proof of the information I was asserting.

I'll update my address for my bank account although I don't think I get statements frequently.

Any other suggestions for getting proof of address?

str3ngth

Errr, I passed my driving test 14 months ago, but I've still not got round to sending off for my driving license...

sockpuppet

I think the bank account and the driving licence are the best two options.
And I would make sure the voters roll has been updated before you start applying as this can make a big difference if you are not showing up

All lenders do have a list of what they will accept, but they are not long lists!
What about a credit card? if you have statements sent to your (correct) address?

Some lenders will accept a HMRC Tax Coding Notice for the current year if you have one