From Submission to Completion: How Brokers Can Reduce Delays

Our Head of Underwriting, Julie Meehan, was featured in the Q2 2026 edition of Commercial Broker magazine, sharing practical ways brokers can help complete deals faster. Read Julie’s guide to speeding up completions.

What Information Do Brokers Need to Provide to Complete a Deal Faster?

At Mercantile Trust, we work with a wide range of brokers across the UK, from large, highly experienced brokerages to sole traders handling deals independently. Regardless of size, brokers play a critical role in helping ensure that property finance applications progress smoothly and efficiently.

While many larger brokerages have access to advanced systems that allow them to quickly verify information and sense-check deals before submission, sole traders can still achieve the same outcome by carefully checking key details at the outset. In our experience, delays often occur not because of the complexity of the deal itself, but because some of the information initially provided by the customer has not been fully verified.

For example, we sometimes see situations where the borrower’s understanding of the property or mortgage position differs from the reality. A client may believe there is sufficient equity in the property, only for checks to reveal that the existing mortgage balance is higher than expected. Similarly, the property may not match the description given during the initial enquiry.

Providing accurate, verified information from the start helps our underwriting team assess the case quickly and move the deal forward without unnecessary queries.

Below are the core details that help us process broker submissions as efficiently as possible.

1. Applicant Information

Ensuring the applicant’s personal details are accurate is essential for initial due diligence and credit assessment. Brokers should confirm:

• Correct full names and dates of birth for all applicants
• Current and previous addresses where relevant
• Confirmation that a credit search has been completed and reviewed

Verifying this information early reduces the risk of discrepancies that could delay underwriting.

2. Security Property Details

The property used as security is central to any lending decision. It is important that the information submitted accurately reflects the property itself. Brokers should confirm:

• The correct property address
• Whether the property has any special features, restrictions, or listed/graded status
• Whether the property is currently operated as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) or holiday let
• If it is not an HMO, confirmation that it is not being run as one

Accurate property information allows us to assess the asset correctly and identify any potential lending considerations early in the process.

3. Tenancy and Income Details

For buy-to-let cases, tenancy information helps confirm how the property is currently being used and how rental income is structured. Brokers should provide:

• A valid and correct tenancy agreement
• Details of the current tenants
• Clear evidence of buy-to-let rental income being received

Having this documentation available upfront enables our underwriting team to review the case more efficiently and avoid follow-up requests.

Ultimately, the more complete and accurate the information provided at submission, the faster we can assess the case. By sense-checking key details before sending a deal to us, brokers can help ensure a smoother process and quicker outcomes for their clients.