Documents you need for a home loan

The usual list

• Your ID (and your spouse's, if you're married)
• Your last 3 payslips, or 6 if your income varies (overtime, commission)
• Your last 3 months of bank statements, or 6 if you're self-employed
• Proof of address, like a municipal account
• Your marriage certificate and antenuptial contract, if you're married
• The signed offer to purchase, once you have one
• Self-employed: two years of signed financial statements, and your latest tax assessment

Some banks, Capitec for one, let you start without any documents and ask for them later. All of them need them before they approve.

If you earn a salary

Your latest payslip, not older than two months, is the minimum most banks ask for, plus three months of statements for the account your salary goes into. If your pay changes from month to month, because of overtime or commission, expect to send six payslips.

If you're self-employed

Banks want two years of signed financial statements (audited for a company), six months of bank statements and your latest tax assessment. If your year-end is far off, recent management accounts help.

Switching your bond

If you're moving your bond to another bank, add 12 months of statements for your current home loan.

Building

For a building loan: the approved plans, the builder's quote and contract, and the builder's NHBRC registration.