Mortgages for Company Directors & Business Owners
Clear, Specialist Mortgage Advice for Directors with Complex Income
Mortgage Advice
If you’re a company director or business owner, your income rarely fits neatly into a payslip. Dividends, retained profits, salary combinations and fluctuating earnings can all make securing the right mortgage feel more complicated than it should be.
Many directors are surprised to discover they’re treated as “non-standard” borrowers, despite running successful, profitable businesses.
At CiK Finance, we regularly support company directors and business owners in securing mortgages that reflect the true strength of their financial position, not just what appears on paper.
Why Directors Often Struggle with Mortgages
Many mainstream lenders and even some brokers still rely on rigid affordability models designed for standard PAYE applicants. This can create challenges if you:
Pay yourself through a mix of salary and dividends
Retain profits within the business
Have fluctuating or irregular income
Run multiple companies or income streams
Have strong cash flow but limited personal drawings
Without the right approach, this can result in:
Lower borrowing amounts than expected
Unnecessary delays
Rejected applications
Or being directed towards unsuitable products
How CiK Supports Directors & Business Owners
We take a strategic, lender-led approach, not a one-size-fits-all one.
That means taking time to understand:
Your company structure
Profitability and retained earnings
How income is drawn now and how it may be structured
Which lenders are appropriate before any application is made
We work with a broad panel of lenders, including those experienced in director and complex income cases, allowing us to present your circumstances clearly and accurately from the outset.
Where possible, we aim to minimise unnecessary back-and-forth and avoid over-collection of documentation, helping keep the process efficient and focused.
Using Retained Profits & Dividends
Many directors assume retained profits cannot be considered for mortgage affordability. In reality, some lenders may take a broader view when applications are structured correctly.
Depending on your circumstances, lenders may consider:
Salary and dividends
A share of company net profits
Multi-year income averages
Accountant-prepared figures rather than basic payslips
Our role is to identify which lenders may view your income most favourably and to ensure your application is presented in line with their criteria.
What Lenders Typically Look For
While lender criteria vary, assessments commonly consider:
Length of trading history
Profit trends over time
Dividend sustainability
Overall business stability
Personal credit profile
Where appropriate, we may work alongside your accountant to ensure financial information is clear, consistent and supports the application effectively.
Not Ready to Apply Yet?
If your current mortgage isn’t ending soon, there may be value in planning ahead.
Our Track My Mortgage service is designed to help you stay informed about when it may be the right time to review your options, without pressure or obligation.
FAQs
In some cases, yes. Certain lenders may consider applications with just one year of trading, depending on individual circumstances, income stability and overall application strength.
Can I get a mortgage with one year’s accounts?
Do I need a specialist broker as a director?
While not essential, experienced advice can help ensure applications are structured correctly, reduce delays, and improve outcomes where income is more complex.
Do retained profits count as income?
Some lenders may take retained profits into account, particularly where profits are consistent and the applicant has significant control over the business. This depends on lender criteria.
Can CiK help if my previous application was declined?
Yes. We often support directors who have experienced a decline by reassessing their circumstances and identifying more suitable lender options.
What if my income changes year to year?
We regularly work with lenders who are comfortable assessing fluctuating income, often using averages or tailored affordability models where appropriate.
Ready to Talk?
If you’d like clear, expert guidance tailored to your business income, we’d be happy to help.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Mortgage advice is subject to eligibility, affordability and lender criteria. Any mortgage recommendation would only be made following a full assessment of your circumstances.
Information correct at the time of writing.