Your business structure
Explain how you work and how you receive income. Sole-trader profit, a share of partnership income and a director’s salary or dividends are not interchangeable figures. The lender decides which evidence and income it can use.
Self-Employed Mortgages
Make sense of a mortgage when you work for yourself.
Working for yourself does not automatically mean you need a different type of mortgage. The main difference is often how a lender checks your income, whether you are a sole trader, a partner or a company director.
Accounts, tax records and the pattern of your earnings can help explain what you can afford. Lenders assess these differently, so the available borrowing depends on your evidence, other commitments, credit history and the property—not simply your latest turnover figure.
Build a clear picture of your income
Your financial records
Tax calculations, tax-year overviews, accounts and bank statements may be requested. Requirements vary between lenders and business structures. Use accurate, up-to-date records, and ask which documents are needed before spending time assembling an application.
Changes over time
Fluctuating earnings, a recent business change or a shorter trading history can affect an assessment. Explain the context rather than relying on one strong month. There is no universal promise that a particular number of years’ accounts will be enough.
Separate business income from your home budget
Money coming into a business is not necessarily the amount available for personal mortgage payments. Business expenses, tax and other commitments still need to be allowed for. An application should reflect the income the lender can evidence, alongside your household spending and any existing borrowing.
If your earnings have changed, explain why and bring records that show the wider picture. A lender may ask for further information rather than accepting a projection on its own. Your accountant can help clarify the figures, but cannot guarantee a lending decision. The purpose is to assess a payment you can maintain, including quieter periods, not to present the largest possible income figure.
How mortgage advice works
Talk about your plans
We’ll start with your circumstances and what you need from a mortgage, so we can explore the options available to you.
Compare suitable deals
We’ll compare suitable deals from the lenders available to us and explain the repayments, fees and other costs.
Make your application
If you decide to go ahead, we’ll guide you through your mortgage application and the information your lender needs.
Getting started
Do I need a specialist self-employed mortgage?
Not always. Self-employment is an income circumstance rather than a single mortgage product. A standard residential mortgage may be available if you meet the lender’s criteria. The important question is how your income is assessed and evidenced, not whether a product carries a self-employed label.
Can a company director use retained profits?
Lenders do not all treat company income in the same way. Explain your ownership, salary, dividends and business finances so the relevant criteria can be checked. Do not assume all company profit will count as your personal income or change how you pay yourself solely for an application.
What if I have only recently started trading?
Available options may be more limited with a short trading history. The lender may consider your records and circumstances differently from someone with established accounts. No particular evidence period guarantees acceptance; check the requirements before making a financial commitment to a property.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
