Buying property / gifted money

[smokeykittycat]

About 5 years ago I was given a gift of some money from my father when he sold his house in California (I am in the UK). He has since passed away and I am keen to get a buy to let. Unfortunately I didn't get an official gift deposit letter signed, although I do have a handwritten note from him giving me the money. Will I be able to use this money without a gift deposit letter? Has anyone got any idea?

I assume he didn’t hand you cash over in a carrier bag? There should be a paper trail showing the money coming from his bank account to yours, and possibly you could get hold of proof of his house sale?

If its in your bank account and has been for some time will it be an issue?

I'm not sure a BTL is a good idea though