Housing Loan Requirements in the Philippines
Every Philippine lender asks for the same three families of paperwork. What changes bank to bank is the detail — so here is the universal list, and a direct link to each lender's own current requirements.
What documents do I need for a housing loan in the Philippines?
Philippine lenders ask for three families of documents: proof of identity (two valid government IDs, TIN, marriage certificate if applicable), proof of income (payslips and a certificate of employment if employed; ITR, audited financial statements and business registration if self-employed; contract and remittance records if an OFW), and property documents (Transfer Certificate of Title, tax declaration, latest real property tax receipt, vicinity map and the contract to sell). BDO, BPI, Security Bank and the rest each publish their own list and the detail differs, so confirm against the lender you are actually applying to.
The three document families every Philippine lender asks for
Whatever the bank, a housing-loan file is assembled to answer three questions: who are you, can you afford it, and is the property good security. Identity documents answer the first, income documents the second, property documents the third. Missing items in the third family cause the most delay, because they usually sit with a seller or developer rather than with you.
Identity documents
- Two valid government-issued IDs with photo and signature (passport, driver's licence, UMID, PhilSys national ID, PRC licence).
- Tax Identification Number (TIN).
- Marriage certificate, if married — a spouse is generally required to sign as co-borrower or to consent.
- Birth certificate, where the lender needs to establish relationship to a co-borrower.
- Proof of billing address.
Income documents — employed, self-employed and OFW
If you are employed: a certificate of employment stating position, tenure and compensation; recent payslips, commonly three months; and your latest BIR Form 2316 or income tax return.
If you are self-employed or run a business: DTI or SEC registration, business permit, audited financial statements and income tax returns — usually for the last two years — plus bank statements covering six to twelve months.
If you are an OFW: a verified employment contract, certificate of employment, proof of inward remittance, passport, and a notarised or consularised Special Power of Attorney. The OFW housing loan guide covers this in full.
Property documents
- Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT), certified true copy.
- Tax declaration for the land and for the improvement.
- Latest real property tax receipt.
- Vicinity map or location plan.
- Contract to Sell, or Deed of Absolute Sale, plus the seller's or developer's details.
- For a house-and-lot under construction: building plans, bill of materials and the specifications.
These come from the seller, the developer or the Registry of Deeds rather than from you, which is why requesting them the day you decide to apply — not the day the bank asks — is the single easiest way to shorten the timeline.
Requirements by bank — go to the source
Nook does not republish a bank's requirement list as though it were permanent, because lenders revise them. Each lender's own current page is linked below, and Nook's per-lender guides sit alongside them.
| Lender | Advertised rate | Official rate page |
|---|---|---|
| BDO | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.bdo.com.ph |
| BPI | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.bpi.com.ph |
| Security Bank | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.securitybank.com |
| UnionBank | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.unionbankph.com |
| RCBC | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.rcbc.com |
| China Bank | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.chinabank.ph |
| EastWest Bank | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.eastwestbanker.com |
| Maybank | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.maybank.com.ph |
| PSBank | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.psbank.com.ph |
| AUB (Asia United Bank) | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.aub.com.ph |
| CTBC Bank | Not independently verified — ask Nook for current panel rates | www.ctbcbank.com.ph |
Nook's own lender guides are at banking partners, including BDO and BPI.
What lenders assess beyond the paperwork
A complete file gets you assessed; it does not get you approved. Three things then decide the outcome: your debt-to-income ratio, generally holding total monthly repayments to 30–35% of gross income; your credit history, including cards and existing loans; and the property appraisal, since the bank lends against its own valuation rather than the price on the contract. A valuation below the agreed price means a larger cash gap for you to cover.
Work out your side of that first with the affordability guide.
Housing Loan Requirements in the Philippines — common questions
What are the basic requirements for a housing loan in the Philippines?
Two valid government IDs and your TIN, proof of income appropriate to how you earn (payslips and certificate of employment if employed; ITR and financial statements if self-employed; contract and remittance records if an OFW), and the property documents — title, tax declaration, real property tax receipt, vicinity map and contract to sell.
What income documents do Philippine banks require for a home loan?
If employed: a certificate of employment, about three months of payslips, and your latest BIR Form 2316 or income tax return. If self-employed: business registration, business permit, two years of audited financial statements and ITRs, plus six to twelve months of bank statements.
Which bank has the easiest housing loan requirements in the Philippines?
There is no lender that is easiest for everyone — the requirement lists are broadly similar and the difference is which profile a bank is comfortable with. A self-employed borrower and a salaried one will find different lenders straightforward. Comparing before applying is more useful than looking for a universally lenient bank.
Can I use a co-borrower to meet the income requirement?
Yes. Philippine lenders assess the combined gross income of co-borrowers, typically a spouse, parent, sibling or child. Both are jointly liable and both credit profiles are assessed, so a co-borrower with existing debt can reduce rather than help the outcome.
Do I need the title before I apply for a housing loan?
You need access to a certified true copy of the Transfer Certificate of Title or Condominium Certificate of Title, which comes from the seller, the developer or the Registry of Deeds. Requesting property documents early is the most effective way to shorten approval, because they are the items least within your control.
How long does housing loan approval take in the Philippines?
It varies by lender and by how complete the file is at submission. The property appraisal and any missing property documents are the usual causes of delay, rather than the credit assessment itself.
Does the bank lend against the purchase price or its own valuation?
Its own appraisal. If the bank values the property below the agreed price, the loan is sized against the lower figure and you cover the difference in cash — which is why appraisal is worth anticipating before you commit to a price.
Is there a fee to have a broker prepare the documents?
With Nook there is no fee to the borrower. The bank pays a commission once the loan is released. See free home-loan help in the Philippines.
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