Self-Employed

Self-employed mortgage broker support

Being self-employed should not make getting a mortgage harder, but the truth is that some lenders are more difficult than others. We know exactly which lenders accept different income types, how many years of accounts you need, and how to present your application in the strongest light.

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Mortgage advice, made simple

Get clear advice before you apply.

Tell us how you are paid and we will explain how lenders may view the income.

FCA regulated, whole-of-market mortgage advice.
No jargon and no pressure to proceed.
We explain fees, risks and next steps before any application.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Some specialist or buy-to-let finance may not be regulated by the FCA.

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Prefer to talk? Call 01772 217917.

FCA Regulated

1 year accounts

All income types

Contractor friendly

The self-employed challenge

Self-employed borrowers face a different set of hurdles to employees. Income can vary year to year, tax efficiency often reduces the amount shown on paper, and not all lenders assess self-employed income the same way. We specialise in finding the right lender for your situation.

Whether you are a sole trader, a limited company director, a freelancer or an IT contractor, we have arranged mortgages for people in your exact position. We know which lenders are genuinely self-employed friendly and which ones just say they are.

Types of self-employed income

Sole traders

Income is assessed on your net profit from your SA302 tax calculations or certified accounts. Most lenders want two years, but we know which ones accept just one year of trading history.

Limited company directors

Lenders typically use salary plus dividends as your income. Some will also consider retained profits in the company, which can significantly increase how much you can borrow.

Contractors

If you work on fixed-term contracts, certain lenders will use your day rate multiplied by the accepted working days per week and working weeks per year to calculate your income, rather than just looking at what you pay yourself through your company.

What you will need

Different lenders ask for different documentation. Typically you will need:

Document or detail	What to prepare
Tax returns	Two years of SA302s and tax year overviews (some accept one year)
Accounts	Certified accounts prepared by a qualified accountant, where the lender requires them
Bank statements	Bank statements (personal and business)
Contracts	Proof of upcoming contracts (for contractors)

Tax-efficient does not mean low income

Good accountants minimise your tax bill. The downside is that lenders see a lower income figure. We know which lenders look beyond the tax return and consider the full picture, including retained profits, gross contract income and business bank balances.

Common questions

How many years trading?

Most lenders want at least two years of filed accounts or SA302s. Some lenders accept one year of accounts, subject to their criteria. Other routes, such as contractor income assessment, need individual checks.

Can I use retained profits?

Some lenders assess salary plus your share of company profit instead of salary plus dividends; the same profit must not be counted twice. This can make a significant difference to how much you can borrow.

What about CIS subcontractors?

If you work in construction under the CIS scheme, some lenders assess your gross CIS income rather than your net self-employed profit. This can dramatically increase your borrowing power.

Do I need an accountant?

Not always. Some lenders accept HMRC tax calculations and matching tax year overviews instead of accountant-certified accounts. Where accounts or an accountant's certificate are required, the lender's qualification rules apply.

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