Mortgages for Self-Employed Clients
Clear Mortgage Advice for Self-Employed Income and Non-Standard Accounts
Mortgage Advice
If you’re self-employed, getting a mortgage can feel more complicated than it needs to be. Income may fluctuate year to year, accounts may not follow a standard pattern, and lenders often assess self-employed applicants differently to those in salaried roles.
Many self-employed people feel they’re penalised for running their own business, despite earning well and managing their finances responsibly.
At CiK Finance, we regularly support self-employed clients with mortgage advice that considers how income is earned, structured and evidenced, rather than relying on rigid, one-size-fits-all criteria.
CiK’s Approach to Self-Employed Mortgages
Our role is to help structure your application so it reflects the reality of your income and business, while aligning with lender criteria.
This includes:
Understanding how income is generated and drawn
Assessing accounts, SA302s and tax overviews where required
Identifying lenders experienced in assessing self-employed income across different trading structures
Presenting income clearly, consistently and proportionately
Where appropriate, we may also work alongside your accountant to ensure information is aligned and appropriately evidenced, aiming to help reduce delays and unnecessary back-and-forth during the application process.
Why Self-Employed Mortgages Can Be More Complex
Lenders typically rely on income history and consistency when assessing mortgage applications. For self-employed applicants, this can be more nuanced, particularly if you:
Are newly self-employed
Have variable or seasonal income
Draw income through dividends
Operate as a sole trader, partnership or limited company
Have reinvested profits back into the business
Without the right approach, this can lead to:
Lower borrowing amounts than expected
Requests for repeated documentation
Delays caused by reassessment
Applications being declined unnecessarily
One Year’s Accounts & Recent Trading History
A common concern for self-employed applicants is whether multiple years of accounts are required.
In some cases, certain lenders may consider applications with one year’s accounts, depending on income sustainability, trading profile and the overall strength of the application.
This is highly lender-specific and always subject to eligibility, affordability and underwriting criteria.
Planning Ahead
If your income or trading structure is evolving, planning ahead can be particularly helpful.
Our Track My Mortgage service is designed to help self-employed clients stay informed about when it may be appropriate to review mortgage options, without pressure or obligation.
FAQs
Can I get a mortgage with one year’s accounts?
In some cases, yes. Certain lenders may consider applications with one year’s accounts, depending on income stability, trading history and overall application strength.
What if my income changes year to year?
Lenders may assess income using averages or trends over time, depending on circumstances and lender criteria.
Do lenders use gross or net profit?
This depends on the lender and your business structure. Some assess net profit, while others may look at salary and dividends for limited company directors.
Do you work with all types of self-employed applicants?
Yes. We support sole traders, partnerships and limited company directors, subject to eligibility and lender criteria.
What documents will I need to provide?
This typically includes accounts, SA302s, tax overviews and bank statements, depending on lender requirements.
Speak to CiK
If you’d like clear, informed guidance tailored to your self-employed income and circumstances, we’re happy to have an initial, confidential conversation.
Book a short, confidential, no-obligation discussion
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.