Self-employed mortgage advice

Yes, absolutely. Most lenders will want to see 2 years of accounts or tax returns, and a few will accept 1. Plenty will work with self-employed applicants. The key is matching you with a lender who understands your specific income structure.

Like any applicant, lenders will typically offer between 4 and 4.5 times your annual income, with some going higher. The challenge is what counts as "income" if you're self-employed. We'll calculate this properly based on your accounts or tax returns and find lenders who'll accept the right figures.

Most lenders want 2 years of accounts or self-assessment tax returns. A few specialist lenders will accept just one year for the right applicant. We'll find lenders who match your specific trading history.

Yes. As a director, your income usually includes both salary and dividends, and some lenders will also consider retained profits in the business. We'll find lenders who use the figures that work in your favour.

That's common for self-employed applicants. Lenders typically use an average of your last two or three years, but some will use the most recent year if your income has grown. We'll position your application to get the best result.

Usually not. Most of the mortgages we arrange come with no broker fee. For buy-to-let, shared ownership, adverse credit, or mortgages under £100,000, a fee may apply, usually between £295 and £495. We'll always tell you the exact fee upfront, before you commit to anything.

Not if you're with the right lender. Self-employed applicants can access the same competitive rates as employed applicants, provided the lender understands your situation. Going to the wrong lender is what usually causes rejections or higher rates.

It's harder, but not impossible. Some lenders will consider applicants with less than a year of trading, especially if you previously worked in the same field. We'll find lenders who'll take a sensible look at your situation.