Home finance doesn’t have to be rocket science.

StrideUp’s application process.
Your steps to buying a home.

If you’re ready to get started with StrideUp, here’s what you need to know.

Getting started with StrideUp is simple. Create your account on our online portal and share details about you, your income and any joint applicants. This process is known as the Decision in Principle or ‘DIP’. A DIP can sometimes also be referred to an Agreement in Principle (AIP) or a Mortgage in Principle (MIP) in conventional lending. 

Once you’ve submitted your DIP, our system reviews your details and calculates how much you could finance. Most people receive their Decision in Principle the same day, although sometimes it can take a little longer if we need to clarify any information.

Your DIP gives you a clear idea of what you can afford and confirms your basic eligibility for a Home Purchase Plan, so you can start your property search with confidence.

What’s a DIP?

A DIP confirms your basic eligibility for a Home Purchase Plan. Estate agents often ask for this document before accepting your offer on a property.

Once you’ve received your Decision in Principle, you can book a short call with our team. It’s a relaxed conversation to make sure you know exactly what to do next, whether you’ve already found a property or are still looking.

During the call, we’ll:

1. Walk through your details and confirm everything looks right
2. Explain how your Home Purchase Plan will work once you’ve found a property
3. Share a checklist of documents to prepare for your full application
4. Outline timelines so you know what to expect at each stage

We’ll tailor the call around your situation. If you’ve had an offer accepted, we’ll help you get ready to move forward quickly.

Our goal is to make this stage feel simple, not stressful. You’ll get clear guidance, straightforward answers and support that helps you feel confident about taking the next step.

If you haven’t found your property yet, now’s the time to start your search. With your Decision in Principle in hand, you already know what’s realistic for your budget. That means you can view homes with confidence and focus on finding the one that feels right for you.

A few things to keep in mind as you search:

1. Stay within your approved range. It’ll make your offer process smoother and help you move faster once you find the right place.
2. Check property eligibility. Before making an offer, take a quick look at our eligibility and criteria page to make sure your chosen property qualifies for StrideUp finance.
3. Move quickly when you find it. Once your offer is accepted, let us know right away so we can guide you through your full application and next steps.

If you’re still exploring, that’s completely fine. Your Decision in Principle gives you a clear idea of where you stand and is valid for 3 months, so you can keep planning and viewing properties at your own pace.

We’ll be here when you’re ready to take the next step.

Let us know you’ve found your property, and we’ll arrange a detailed call with one of our CeMAP-qualified HPP advisers to complete your full application. 

This is where things really start moving.

During the call, we’ll:

• Go through a full FactFind to understand your income, household, and commitments
• Confirm the product that best fits your circumstances
• Run credit checks on all applicants
• Collect your valuation fee so we can arrange the property survey

By the end, you’ll know exactly where your application stands and what happens next. Your case will then move into underwriting. At this stage, we carefully review your documents to make sure everything is suitable, fair, and ready for approval.

Every application includes a valuation to confirm the property is suitable and fairly priced. It’s a key step that ensures your Home Purchase Plan reflects real market value.

StrideUp arranges this on your behalf once your valuation fee has been paid. An independent valuer will inspect the property and prepare a report confirming its condition and worth. Timescales can vary depending on availability, location and access, but we’ll keep you updated as it progresses.

If anything unexpected appears in the report, we’ll explain what it means and guide you through the options before moving forward.

Once the valuation report is in, our underwriting team reviews your full application. This is where we check that everything aligns with your documents and that the product is affordable for you.

We might ask for extra information if something needs clarification, but we’ll always keep you updated so there are no unnecessary delays.

Once underwriting is complete, your case will be ready for a formal offer that takes you one step closer to home ownership.

Once your application is approved, we’ll send you a formal offer. This outlines your finance plan details, including your rental rate, term length and conditions.

At this stage, you’ll also pay your one-off product fee. We’ll have already discussed this earlier in your journey, so there are no surprises. The fee confirms your acceptance of the offer and allows us to progress to the final legal steps.

Receiving your offer is a big milestone. It means your application has been fully reviewed and approved, and you’re officially on your way to home ownership with StrideUp. Your offer will be valid for 6 months from the date it’s issued.

Conveyancing is the legal stage that transfers the property from the seller to you. During this step, your solicitor reviews contracts, runs local authority and environmental searches, and checks the title deeds to make sure everything is in order.

This stage is usually the longest part of your home finance journey. Progress often depends on how quickly documents are returned and searches are completed, but your solicitor and the StrideUp team will keep you updated so you always know where things stand.

In most cases, there are three solicitors involved in total. One represents you, one represents StrideUp, and one represents the seller. Because Islamic home finance is structured differently from a conventional mortgage, having two solicitors on the finance side ensures the process meets both shariah principles and UK legal requirements.

To make things easier, you can choose from our panel of specialist solicitors who already understand how we work. They will liaise directly with StrideUp’s solicitor and the seller’s representative to keep your case moving smoothly.

At this point, you will also confirm your preferred completion date and pay your legal fees and deposit directly to your solicitor.

Why two solicitors on our side?

Having a solicitor for you and one for StrideUp keeps the process transparent and fair. It ensures everyone is properly represented while maintaining full compliance with both Islamic and UK law.

This is it, the moment when the keys are finally yours.

Once all the legal checks are complete and funds are transferred, the seller’s solicitor confirms that ownership has officially passed to you.

Your solicitor will handle the final steps, making sure every document is signed and all payments are in place. When that’s done, you’ll get the call every buyer waits for. It’s time to pick up your keys.

At this point, you officially become the owner of your new home. It’s the milestone where months of planning, saving and paperwork finally pay off, and you can take a deep breath knowing you’re the owner of a halal StrideUp home.

You’ve done it. After all the planning, saving and waiting, you’re finally home.

Your journey with StrideUp doesn’t end here. We’ll stay in touch to make sure everything continues smoothly, from payments to any questions about your plan. Think of us as your long-term partner in home ownership, here to help you keep moving forward.