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Self-employed
Sole trader, partner or limited company director — lenders assess self-employed income very differently. We find the ones that look at yours most favourably. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat.
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Self-employed mortgages
It can be, but it depends which lenders you approach. Most lenders have different criteria for self-employed applicants — one may see your situation as a significant issue, while another is happy to help.
Lenders became more cautious with the self-employed during the pandemic, but the majority have now returned to their pre-Covid criteria.
There are lenders that will accept one year’s accounts, but not many — most require two. Some lenders look at the broader picture rather than focusing only on how long you’ve been self-employed.
No. They haven’t been available for some time, and most lenders don’t expect them to return.
Yes, although the way the lender assesses each income may differ.
For a limited company director, the lender may use salary and dividends, or retained profit. For a sole trader, they use net profit. For an employed applicant, they use gross salary.
So two people earning the same could be assessed differently — gross income for the employed person, net income (after tax and NI) for the self-employed one. Establishing whether you’re a sole trader or a company director, and your shareholding, is key. Approaching the right lender can make it much easier.
A limited company director is normally a 20% or more shareholder. Many directors take a small salary topped up with dividends, and some lenders assess this income.
Other lenders use the company’s retained net profits — your share of them — which can mean significantly more affordability than salary and dividends alone.
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Our advisers are experienced in a wide range of clients, needs and property types — so you can be confident of quality service and sound advice.
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Why Energise Mortgages?
01
Most lenders want your SA302s (tax calculations) and tax year overviews, available from HMRC or your accountant. They may also want business accounts to assess performance.
A director on a large salary can’t necessarily borrow on that full salary if the business is making a loss — lenders want to see that the income is sustainable.
Get copies of your last two years’ accounts, tax calculations and overviews before speaking to a broker. With those, we can usually work out how much you can borrow and approach a lender that assesses your situation favourably.
02
Yes — and it can be easier. Most buy to let lenders assess the mortgage on the expected rent from the property rather than your personal income. Some still ask for tax calculations; others don’t if the rental yield is sufficient.
03
No differently to an employed person — you simply evidence your earnings with accounts or tax calculations rather than payslips and a P60.
Each lender’s criteria differ, and finding the one that looks at your income most favourably can have a huge impact on how much you can borrow. See our remortgage guide for more.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
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