Self Employed

A self-employed mortgage is a normal mortgage, but it’s for people who work for themselves – like freelancers, sole traders, or company directors.

Because you don’t get regular payslips from an employer, the lender needs other proof that you can afford the repayments.

What lenders usually ask for:

  • Anywhere between 1-3 years of tax year calculations (SA302 forms from HMRC)

  • Tax year overviews and/or business accounts

  • Bank statements (personal and sometimes business)

  • If you run a company, they may also look at salary and dividends, or even retained profits

What you can borrow:

  • Typically 4 to 5 times your yearly income, depending on how steady your income is, your credit score, and the size of your deposit

Tips to get approved:

  • Keep your finances well-organized

  • Use a qualified accountant

  • Have a good credit score

  • A larger deposit (like 10–25%) can improve your chances but not always required

Summary:

A self-employed mortgage isn’t a special product – it’s just a standard mortgage where you need to prove your income differently, because you don’t have a traditional job.