Mortgages for startups — including the self-employed

Lenders assess self-employed and director income differently from a salary, but founders can get a mortgage. This guide explains how that income is assessed and what lenders look for.

Getting a mortgage can be harder for founders because some lenders take a narrow view of self-employed and director income. A regulated mortgage adviser knows which lenders assess directors' and sole traders' income in full, and lenders ask for the accounts and tax figures we prepare for clients.

Why it matters

Some lenders assess a director on salary and dividends alone, while others also count their share of the profit kept in the company. An accountant and a mortgage adviser working together can present your figures in the form a lender asks for.

The basics

  • First-time buyer, home-mover and remortgage advice
  • How lenders assess self-employed, director and contractor income
  • Which lenders suit your kind of income, since their criteria differ
  • Buy-to-let and portfolio landlord mortgages
  • The accounts and tax figures lenders ask for, which we prepare

How to get regulated financial advice

  1. 1
    Understand the basics

    This page explains what this area involves, so you know which questions to ask an adviser.

  2. 2
    Find an authorised adviser

    Regulated advice can only come from an FCA-authorised firm. You can search the FCA register, or ask us for an introduction to Equity & General, the firm we have an introducer agreement with.

  3. 3
    Decide whether to go ahead

    An introduction is free, and you do not have to take one. If you go on to take advice, the adviser explains any fees before any work starts.

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Common questions

Can the self-employed get a mortgage?

Yes. It depends on finding a lender whose criteria suit self-employed income, with your accounts presented the way that lender asks. A regulated mortgage adviser can do this, using the accounts we prepare.

How many years of accounts do I need?

Many lenders want two years of accounts, and some accept one. A regulated mortgage adviser knows which lenders suit your situation.

Do you help with buy-to-let?

Yes. A regulated adviser can advise on buy-to-let and portfolio mortgages, and we can prepare the property income and tax figures behind them.

Buzz Financial Services calculators

Buzz Financial Services is a trading style of Equity & General Financial Services Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA 474163).

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