Coventry for intermediaries has launched soft footprint credit checks for Agreements In Principle, which it says will improve the process of buying a home.

The change will mean a soft footprint is made against a client’s credit record when obtaining an Agreement in Principle.

A hard footprint will only be left once the full application is submitted.

Jonathan Stinton, head of intermediary relationships at Coventry for intermediaries, said: “Changing the way we perform credit checks on clients’ mortgage applications is a positive change for homebuyers.

“We understand that hard credit checks can be a concern for anyone purchasing a home, and especially first time buyers. This is one of many exciting developments happening this year to really help brokers give their clients the best experience.”