What is a mortgage capacity report used for?

Mortgage capacity reports are most commonly used during divorce or financial separation proceedings. They give the court an evidence-based view of the level of mortgage borrowing each party can realistically obtain. Solicitors usually request the report on behalf of their client to support the financial settlement.

How long does it take to get a mortgage capacity report?

From the point we have all the information we need, reports are typically issued within 1-2 working days. We offer an express option during standard office hours. Call us and let us know your timescale when you speak with us.

Can I get a joint mortgage capacity report with my ex-partner?

Yes. It covers both applicants for a discounted fee of £249. It is especially useful where you both need to demonstrate borrowing capacity at the same time. Just let us know when you speak with us that you require one.

How much does a mortgage capacity report cost?

Our fixed fees are £119 for a nil capacity report, £129 for a single report and £249 for one covering two applicants. Each additional mortgage capacity report scenario is £50. The fee is confirmed upfront and there is no additional cost unless you add scenarios.

What information do I need to provide?

You will need proof of income (payslips, or accounts if self employed), details of your financial commitments and outstanding debts, your latest mortgage statement, pension and savings values, and an idea of how the matrimonial assets will be split. The more accurate the financial information you provide, the more reliable your report.

How long is a mortgage capacity report valid?

There is no official expiry, but because lending criteria and interest rates move, solicitors and judges generally prefer a report no more than three to six months old. We can refresh your report quickly if your case takes longer.

Is a mortgage capacity report the same as an agreement in principle?

No. An agreement in principle is a single lender's indication that it may lend to you. A mortgage capacity assessment is an independent, whole of market analysis of your realistic borrowing capacity, designed to be relied on in negotiations and legal proceedings rather than to start an application.

Can I use the report to plan my own next purchase?

Yes. Beyond divorce and separation, clients use reports for financial planning: understanding borrowing limits before viewing a new property, budgeting for mortgage payments and making informed decisions about their financial future.

Mortgage Capacity Assessment Report

Q: Do mortgage capacity reports need to come from a regulated adviser?

Yes. For the report to be accepted as credible evidence by the courts, it should come from a regulated mortgage adviser. Alexander Southwell Mortgage Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 1011890). This is the standard expectation of solicitors and the judiciary.

‍Court-Ready Reports

‍FCA Authorised (No. 1011890)

‍Access to 1,000+ Products

End-to-End Support

5-Star Rated Advisers

About Our Service

What is a Mortgage Capacity Assessment Report & Why Do You Need One?

A Mortgage Capacity Report is a detailed analysis of the level of mortgage you are likely to obtain after divorce or separation. Every report is different, as are every client’s circumstances and objectives.

Going through a divorce is one of the most challenging times in life and financial clarity is crucial when negotiating a fair settlement. Our reports give the court an evidence-based view of what you can realistically afford to borrow.

Reports are designed to meet the Family Procedure Rules, so they are accepted as reliable evidence in financial proceedings. The figure is calculated against the live lending market, not a generic online calculator.
Alexander Southwell Mortgage Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 1011890). That regulated status carries weight with your solicitor, the opposing party, and the judge overseeing your proceedings.

Find out how much you can borrow with Alexander Southwell Mortgage Services in Southampton, Hampshire. Call us on 03300 432 428 to talk with our experienced mortgage capacity team.

"Every report is built around your unique circumstances and stands up to scrutiny from solicitors, opposing legal teams and the judge."

Helping You Buy Sooner

How Much Do Mortgage Capacity Reports Cost?

Mortgage capacity reports are not free, but we have kept the fixed fees low. Choose the report that fits your situation: confirmation of nil capacity, a detailed single-applicant breakdown, or one report covering both applicants.

🤝

Built Around Your Situation

Each report is built around your unique situation. We use a short questionnaire to understand maintenance commitments, childcare costs, hours worked and your current property position before testing it against current lender affordability models.

Pricing
From £119

Turnaround
1-2 working days

FCA Regulated
No. 1011890

Where a report covers two applicants, both incomes and circumstances are modelled. Especially useful when you both need to demonstrate borrowing capacity at the same time.

🏗

Issued Only To You
or Your Solicitor

Reports are issued only to you (or to your solicitor on your instruction). We do not share your report with anyone unless you have specifically authorised us to.

Reports are issued only to you (or to your solicitor on your instruction). We do not share figures with anyone else unless you have specifically authorised us to.

An express turnaround is available, typically within 1-2 working days from the point we have all your information. Tell us at the start if you need your report quickly.

🏘

Express Turnaround Available

Each report comes with a phone consultation so you can talk through the results with one of our advisers. Ask questions about the basis of the calculations, the lenders we considered, and the alternative scenarios we modelled.
‍

What Every Mortgage Capacity Report Includes

Each report includes a clear summary of your maximum borrowing figure based on today's lending landscape, plus illustrative payments under different interest rate scenarios.

We also set out clearly what the calculations are based on: hours worked, maintenance income, childcare costs, existing mortgage balances and matrimonial assets. Every assumption can be flexed for additional scenarios.

Why it matters:If you require an express turnaround, call us during standard office hours. We can usually issue a report within 1-2 working days of receiving all your information.

Step by Step

Why Do I Need a Mortgage Capacity Assessment?

Your mortgage capacity report needs to be credible, realistic and accurate. Here are the five reasons our reports stand up in court.

How Long Does It Take?

At Alexander Southwell Mortgage Services we are an experienced mortgage brokerage. Reports are produced by a qualified adviser, ensuring your report is deemed acceptable by your legal representatives and solicitors. Our FCA reference number is 1011890.

Understanding Your Status

Who Completes the Mortgage Capacity Report and Research?

Mortgage capacity reports must be credible to carry weight in legal proceedings. At Alexander Southwell Mortgage Services we have the qualifications and FCA authorisation in place to ensure your report is deemed acceptable by solicitors and legal representatives. Generally a solicitor requests the report on behalf of their client to support the financial settlement, but you can also instruct us directly.

WRITTEN BY

Mr Jamie Alexander, CeMAP qualified mortgage adviser and founder of Alexander Southwell Mortgage Services

FCA authorised, reference number 1011890. Jamie has prepared mortgage capacity reports for family law solicitors, mediators and private clients across the UK, and every report is checked against current lending criteria before it is issued. Last reviewed: August 2026.

Nil Mortgage Capacity Report: £119

Confirmation that you have no mortgage capacity under your current circumstances. Used by solicitors and the courts to formalise a settlement where no further borrowing is realistic. £119.

Single Mortgage Capacity Report: £129

A detailed analysis of your maximum borrowing from across the UK's mortgage lenders. Includes indicative monthly payments, terms and interest rates tailored to your circumstances. £129.

Joint Mortgage Capacity Report: £249

Same as a single report but for two applicants. Crafted to address the intricacies of dual financial profiles, and often used by separating couples to show each party's capacity. £249.

Additional Scenario: £50

Need extra scenarios on top of an existing report? Each additional scenario, such as reduced hours, varying maintenance or different childcare costs, is just £50.

Mortgage capacity report pricing background, Alexander Southwell Mortgages

THE PROCESS

How Your Mortgage Capacity Assessment Works

A mortgage capacity assessment follows a clear, defined process. From your first enquiry to the delivery of your comprehensive mortgage capacity report, here is what to expect at each stage.

Printed mortgage capacity assessment report with calculator on an adviser desk

Step 1: Initial Assessment

It starts with a short call with a qualified mortgage broker. We listen to your financial situation, explain your options and confirm the fixed fees before any work begins. There are no hidden extras and no additional cost unless you request extra scenarios later.

Step 2: Your Financial Information

We complete a fact find covering your current income, employment, financial commitments, maintenance payments and outstanding debts. Accurate financial details at this stage lead to an accurate mortgage capacity report at the end. Payslips, pension statements and a recent credit report all help us verify the financial data you provide.

Step 3: Lender Research

Your adviser researches your maximum borrowing capacity against current lending criteria from a wide range of mortgage lenders. Because lender criteria differ so much between banks and building societies, this research is what separates a credible assessment from a generic online estimate of your borrowing power.

Step 4: Report and Consultation

You receive your comprehensive report within 1 to 2 working days of receipt of the information needed, complete with mortgage illustrations showing indicative mortgage payments over different terms. We then talk you through the report findings so you have a clear understanding of what the numbers mean for your next steps.

BORROWING FACTORS

What Affects Your Mortgage Borrowing Capacity?

Mortgage lenders do not simply multiply your salary. Affordability is a complex review of your whole financial situation, and these are the relevant factors that carry the most weight in any mortgage capacity assessment.

Income and Employment

Lenders assess all income sources: basic salary, overtime, bonuses, self employed earningsand sustainable maintenance income. Stable employment and consistent earnings increase your borrowing potential, while probation periods or irregular income can reduce it.

Credit History and Credit Score

Your credit history directly affects both the amount you can borrow and the mortgage rates available to you. Missed payments, defaults or heavy credit use can lower your maximum borrowing, so it is worth checking your credit reportearly, well before any assessment.

Financial Commitments and Debts

Loans, credit cards, car finance and other financial commitments all reduce mortgage affordability. Lenders deduct these outgoings, along with childcare and council tax, before calculating what you can comfortably repay each month.

Maintenance and Dependants

Maintenance payments work both ways: payments you make reduce your capacity, while payments you receive may count as income with some mortgage lenders. The number of dependants in your household also shapes the assessment.

Deposit, Equity and Savings

The equity released from the family home, along with savings and investments, determines your deposit. A larger deposit unlocks better mortgage rates and can increase the maximum mortgage available to you.

Age, Term and Interest Rates

Your age sets the longest term available, and the term drives affordability: stretching repayments over more years lowers each payment but adds interest overall. Reports include stress testing at higher interest rates, exactly as lenders do.

Detached UK family home representing mortgage borrowing capacity

Want a quick guide before ordering your report? Try our mortgage borrowing calculatorfor an instant estimate, then let us confirm the true figure against real lender criteria.

DIVORCE & SEPARATION

Mortgage Capacity Reports and the Divorce Process

In divorce cases, an accurate view of each person's financial capacity is essential before assets can be divided fairly. A mortgage capacity assessment gives everyone involved an objective view, helping to divide assets and settle financial disputes without guesswork.

Two sets of house keys beside a document symbolising a divorce financial settlement

Financial Remedy Proceedings and the FDR

Reports are frequently requested ahead of financial remedy proceedings, including the Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) hearing. The judge treats the report as independent evidence of what each person could realistically borrow, which shapes how the final divorce settlement is structured.

Your Spouse's Ability to Borrow

One party will often need evidence of their spouse's ability to rehouse. Where one person wishes to remain in the family home, a report can show whether the other can obtain a mortgage on a new property, informing decisions about future housing arrangements, particularly where child custody depends on where each person can afford to live.

Support for Family Law Solicitors

We regularly prepare reports on the instruction of family law solicitors across the UK. Your solicitor receives a comprehensive report based on evidence, formatted for use in court proceedings and negotiations, and we answer any questions raised about the methodology.

Nil Capacity and Post Divorce Planning

A nil mortgage capacity report is an essential document where one person cannot borrow at all under their specific circumstances. Post divorce, circumstances change: many clients return for a reassessment once maintenance ends, earnings increase or their financial stability improves.

NEXT STEPS

Planning Your Financial Future After the Report

Your report is more than evidence for a settlement. It is a financial planning tool that helps you make informed decisions about your financial future and plan ahead with confidence.

From Capacity to Mortgage Offer

When you are ready to obtain a mortgage, we take you from report to application and mortgage offer. As a fee free mortgage broker for standard residential applications, we charge no broker fee for arranging your new mortgage, and we search the whole of the mortgage market on your behalf.

Remortgaging the Family Home

Many settlements end with one person remortgaging to buy out the other's share of equity. We advise on remortgage options, transfers of equity and the mortgage arrangements needed to keep or sell the property.

When to Update Your Report

Lending criteria and interest rates change, so most solicitors treat reports older than three to six months as out of date. If your case runs on, a reassessment or an additional mortgage capacity report scenario (reduced hours or new maintenance arrangements) keeps your evidence current for £50.

Expert Advice Beyond the Report

Whether you need a standard mortgage capacity report today or mortgage advice further down the line, our team of advisers is with you for the whole journey: report, settlement, new mortgage and beyond. Everything starts with one conversation.

Quick Mortgage Capacity Estimator

A rough guide to your potential borrowing range. Your report confirms the true figure against real lender criteria.

Gross annual income (total, before tax)

Monthly commitments (loans, cards, maintenance)

For illustration only, not financial advice and not a guarantee of borrowing. Lenders each apply their own affordability rules, so your true mortgage capacity can differ. Order a report for an accurate figure.

Speak to a qualified mortgage broker about your mortgage capacity assessment today.

Call 03300 432 428

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

FAQ

Mortgage Capacity Report FAQs

Mortgage capacity report example for divorce financial settlement, Alexander Southwell Mortgages

Mortgage Capacity Report