Buying a house is an overwhelming process for many of us, but it can be particularly tricky if you’re self-employed, especially if you’re dealing with mortgage lenders who view self-employed income as less dependable than those employed with a fixed salary.

The good news is that almost 15% of the UK’s workforce is now self-employed – meaning it’s more common than ever for self-employed individuals to buy a house and provide evidence to lenders that they can afford the monthly repayments.

How can I prove my income to a mortgage lender if I’m self-employed?

The answer depends on your business structure! In most cases you’ll need to provide a set of accounts showing how the business performs financially – which will normally need to be verified by a professional, such as your accountant.

Although each lender might have specific requirements depending on your business structure, our table shows what documents you’re likely to need as part of your mortgage application.
 

How much can I borrow for my mortgage if I’m self-employed?

The answer is different for everyone. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will complete an ‘affordability test’ to work out how much they’re willing to lend you, and in some instances, they may decide to lend you nothing at all.

It’s important to know your financial figures inside and out and don’t be too disheartened if one lender rejects your application, as different lenders will look at different things. For example, Lender A may be interested in your dividend payments while Lender B could focus on profits. Having all this information to hand can be the difference between your application being rejected, versus accepted.

Your average earnings

Let’s say you’re a graphic designer and have been for three years. You earned £30,000 in your first year, £35,000 in your second, and £40,000 in your third. Lenders are likely to work out your average earnings across the three year period, although if you have strong evidence that your earnings can reasonably be expected to continue increasing, they may decide to base their calculations on your most recent tax year instead.

How much your earnings fluctuate

Fluctuations can scare lenders, and while they’re completely normal in business, lenders may use your lowest earning salary figure just to be on the safe side. But it’s worth noting, if there’s a reasonable explanation for a dip in sales – such as traveling or having a baby – lenders can take this into consideration.

Your regular outgoings

You may earn a lot, but if your regular outgoings are also high this will affect how much a mortgage lender is willing to lend you. They may ask for credit card and bank statements, to ensure you can realistically afford to pay back your mortgage.

How secure your income is

Lenders want to ensure your finances are futureproof for things such as interest rates going up, career breaks, etc. They need to know you can still pay your mortgage even if circumstances change.

Is there such a thing as a ‘self-employed mortgage’?

There was something called a ‘self-certification’ mortgage, but these were banned back in 2014 – so this means self-employed individuals will need to apply for their mortgage the same way as anyone who’s employed. (In other words, everyone in the UK will apply the same way).

Can I get a mortgage if I recently started a new business?

It’s unlikely a mortgage lender will accept your application if you haven’t filled out a tax return yet or have been trading for less than two years. Lenders need this information for their affordability test, so even if the first few months of business started with a bang – from a lender’s point of view there’s no proof of this.

There are lenders out there who may look at your application if you’ve been trading for a year, but in most cases, you’re best building your business and gathering evidence of your earnings first.

Tips for buying a house when you’re self-employed

Put a healthy deposit down

Applying for a mortgage as a self-employed person is difficult as it is, so the better the deposit, the more chance you’ll bag approval from a lender at a good rate! Lenders assess what they can offer you based on the loan-to-value ratio (LTV).

Provide two years of your accounts

Most lenders require at least two years of recent records, and the most recent needs to be less than 18 months old. Have all the correct documentation ready, so the process doesn’t come to a halt.

Have your accounts prepared by an accountant

Most mortgage lenders feel more secure when accounts are produced by an accountant – because, more likely than not, they’ve provided accurate figures. It also helps to have an expert on hand that may know more about mortgage applications and what lenders are looking for. So, hiring an accountant is always a good choice!

 
Need an accountant to help with your mortgage application? Our online accountants provide a range of accountancy services. Talk to an advisor by using the live chat button on your screen, calling 020 3355 4047, or get an instant online quote.