Looking for a Self-Employed Mortgage? Part 2
Caz Blake-Symes • February 24, 2020
Let Bristol & Bath Mortgages Online help you get a mortgage
What will I need to provide for a self-employed mortgage?
To prove your income when you apply for a self-employed mortgage, you will need to provide. Most banks and lenders will want to see a minimum of 2 or more years’ proof of income.
However, subject to meeting the lender’s criteria, we can offer mortgages to those with only 1 year’s proof of income.
Other specific evidence will be:
- SA302 forms and a tax year overview (from HMRC) for the past two or three years
- Evidence of upcoming contracts (if you’re a contractor)
- Evidence of dividend payments or retained profits (if you’re a company director)
Some lenders also prefer self-employed mortgage applicants to provide accounts that have been prepared by a qualified, chartered accountant; that way they can be sure of your reliability. It’s likely that they will focus on the average profit you’ve earned over the past few years.
If you only have accounts for one year or even less, you may find it a challenge to convince a lender that you can afford to repay a mortgage – but, again, it’s not impossible, our expert team will help you from the very start.
Having evidence that you’ve got regular work or providing proof of future commissions may help. Just be aware your choice of mortgages may be more limited.
Having a healthy deposit and a good credit history will also help your chances of securing a mortgage when you’re self-employed.
As well as providing evidence of your income, you will also need to provide:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Council tax bill
- Utility bills dated within three months
- Six months’ worth of bank statements
Lenders will want to examine your bank statements to look at how much you spend on bills and other costs to be certain you could afford your mortgage repayments. They may ask about:
- Household bills
- Travel and commuting costs
- Childcare
- Holidays
- Socialising
- Hobbies
- Credit card and store card repayments
- Loan repayments
- Car finance agreements
- Catalogue credit accounts
What are self-certification mortgages, and do they still exist?
“Self-certification” or “self-cert” mortgages were specifically designed for the self-employed and allowed them to self-certify how much they earnt in a given year, with no need to provide evidence. However, self-cert mortgages were banned completely in 2014 due to concerns borrowers were being accepted for mortgages they couldn’t afford. This means those who are self-employed now need to apply for a mortgage in the same way as everyone else.
Do self-employed people have to pay higher mortgage rates?
Self-employed mortgages aren’t necessarily more expensive. As long as you’re able to supply enough information about your income, you should qualify for the same mortgage deal as someone with a comparable salary in a permanent, full-time job. The mortgage rate you get is much more likely to depend on the size of your deposit, as well as your credit rating.
The more can put down as a deposit, and the higher your credit rating, the better your mortgage rate is likely to be.
As a fully independent broker we will search the whole of the market for you including many specialist lenders, to ensure we can offer the most competitive and suitable deal and rate.
Bristol Mortgages Online www.bristolmortgagesonline.com
Tel 0117 325 1511
Bath Mortgages Online www.bathmortgagesonline.com
Tel 01225 584 888
Exeter Mortgages Online www.exetermortgagesonline.com
Tel 01392 690 888
Email info@swmortgages.com
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We are thrilled to be celebrating our 17th Anniversary this week.
Phillip Clark founded Bristol Mortgages Online in 2008.
Lower mortgage rates are supporting more house sales against a backdrop of modest house price inflation. Zoopla’s House Price Index tracks key trends in the UK housing market - here’s the latest news in May 2025.
This Edition Includes..
Helping Your Family Onto The Property Ladder
What will happen to Interest Rates This Year?
Easing Stress Testing?
Looking to Remortgage?
Getting a Mortgage with Adverse Credit
Plus lots more…
Mortgage rates are likely to stay in the 4-5% range this year while changes to affordability testing by lenders could give buyers a boost.
Sky high house prices, high cost of living, student loans and rising rent costs mean that getting on the property ladder is challenging. But the desire to own a home remains strong for many young adults.
Now, the affectionately known ‘bank of mum and dad’ (or bank of other family members) may wish to lend or give money for deposits and other house purchase costs. Our expert Mortgage Advisers will be able to discuss all options available to suit your specific family’s situation.
The Bank of England has voted to reduce the Base Rate by 0.25% for the second time this year, taking it to 4.25%. Base Rate was held at 4.5% in March after it was cut by 0.25% in February.
Adapted from Zoopla’s April 2025 Housing report I mage: The analysis uses average house prices from the house price index and for first-time buyers to assess mortgage payments at different mortgage rates applied to a 30- year mortgage, at different loan-to-values. One emerging trend that we expect to positively support market activity in the coming months is a relaxation in how lenders assess the affordability of new mortgages. While buyers focus on the mortgage rate they will pay, lenders also check whether the borrower can afford a 'stressed mortgage rate' at a higher level than the borrower will pay. While the average 5-year fixed rate mortgage is around 4.5% today, many lenders are currently 'stress testing' affordability at 8-9%. This makes it harder to secure a mortgage without a large deposit. If average mortgage stress rates were to return to pre-2022 levels of 6.5% to 7%, this would deliver a 15-20% boost to buying power. An average first-time buyer with mortgage repayments of £1,020pcm at a 4.5% mortgage rate would typically have to prove they could afford monthly repayments of £1,550pcm at an 8.5% stress rate. If the stress testing is relaxed to 6.5%, repayments would fall to £1,275pcm, boosting buying power. It's a similar pattern for the average homeowner, while the actual impact will vary by lender and type of borrower. This change would consequently supporting demand and sales volumes, helping to clear the stock of homes for sale, rather than boosting house prices. Other existing rules and regulations that remain in place will continue to impact the availability of mortgage finance. Comment from Phil Clark “This is potentially very exciting news and will give borrowers a greater choice of products if these rules are relaxed. Regardless of whether you are a First-time Buyer, Looking to move, remortgage or invest in property, there are a huge range of competitive mortgage deals on the market. I will be delighted to discuss your specific requirements and offer you the most suitable deal!” Please call Phil on 0117 3251511 or email info@swmortgages.com For more information about the Mortgage and Protection products we offer, please visit www.bristolmortgagesonline.com Your home/property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other debt secured on it.
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There have been some important changes to the legislation regarding Stamp Duty Land Tax with effect from 1 April 2025.
This edition includes fantastic new mortgage products, updated guides for those with adverse credit, 17 great tips to follow before making and application and lots more.
If you need help with any of the items covered, please call Phil on 0117 325 1511.