An agreement in principle is a statement from a mortgage lender that says, based on the information you’ve provided, they’re willing to lend you a certain amount.

It’s a soft check, not a full commitment, and doesn’t guarantee the final mortgage, but it does give you a clear idea of your potential borrowing power.

AIPs are usually valid for between 30 and 90 days, depending on the lender.

You can renew them if needed, and they can often be updated if your circumstances or the property value changes.

Why Do You Need an AIP in Leeds?

Leeds has a busy housing market, and many properties receive multiple offers, especially in popular areas like Chapel Allerton, Horsforth or Roundhay.

If you’re viewing homes without an agreement in principle, you may struggle to compete with buyers who already have one in place.

Having an AIP means you’re ready to act. It shows sellers you’ve already taken that first financial step and can move quickly once your offer is accepted.

In some cases, estate agents won’t let you view a property unless you can show evidence of an agreement in principle.

What Information Do Lenders Need?

To produce an AIP, lenders will usually ask for a few basic details including your income, employment status, deposit amount and monthly financial commitments.

You won’t usually need to supply full documents at this stage, but it’s important that the information you give is accurate.

We’ll talk through your situation and confirm which lenders are best placed to support you based on your circumstances, then arrange your agreement in principle using the correct information from the start.

Does It Affect Your Credit Score?

Most lenders carry out a soft credit search when issuing an AIP.


This means it won’t leave a visible mark on your credit report or affect your score.

Some lenders do still use hard checks, but we’ll let you know in advance and avoid these where possible unless there’s a clear benefit to doing so.

If you’re shopping around or not ready to proceed immediately, soft searches are the preferred option, they give you the same insight without creating unnecessary footprints on your credit file.

How Quickly Can You Get One?

We aim to provide an agreement in principle within 24 hours of your mortgage appointment.

In many cases, we can issue one the same day, especially if we already have your information and you’ve completed the initial checks.

It’s best to get an AIP arranged before you start booking property viewings.

That way, you’re ready to make an offer without delay if the right property appears.

What Happens After You Get an AIP?

Once you’ve received your agreement in principle, you’re ready to start viewing homes with confidence.

If you’re a first time buyer in Leeds, this can be a huge boost when dealing with estate agents. It also helps you stay focused on properties within your price range.

When your offer is accepted, we’ll help you convert that AIP into a full mortgage application and guide you through the next stages of the process.

The AIP gives first time buyers a head start, and we’ll make sure the rest of your application stays on track.

Date Last Edited: January 5, 2026