Documents Needed for a Self-Employed Mortgage

How does a Self-Employed mortgage differ from other mortgages?

It’s important to understand that there isn’t a specific ‘Self-Employed mortgage’ product available. Self-Employed applicants have access to apply for the vast majority of mortgage products that are available to employed people. The only thing that differs in a Self-Employed mortgage application is the way that the Mortgage Lender assesses your income.

Despite the rise in Self-Employed workers in the UK, income derived from Self-Employed business activity is still viewed as less stable by Mortgage Lenders. Whereas a PAYE employed person has a basic salary, Self Employed income commonly fluctuates. 

In order to mitigate the risk from these fluctuations, lenders will ask Self Employed applicants to provide evidence of two to three years’ worth of stable income, from which they will calculate an average figure to use as your ‘basic salary’. 

What specific documents do you need?

Depending on what type of Self-Employed business you carry out, the exact documents you provide will vary slightly. There may also be some variance between lenders requirements.

Like all applicants, current ID and proof of address will be required when you apply for a mortgage. As per your business type, you will also need to provide:

Limited Company Directors

Most lenders will use your personal income and dividends to calculate your average basic income, although some may be willing to consider your net business profits. Based on the lender’s individual criteria, you will need to provide the below documents, usually covering the last two to three years:

• Finalised and certified accounts
• SA302 forms or HMRC tax year overviews and tax year calculations
• Business bank statements
• You may also be asked to provide projected income figures or future business plans 

Partnerships

If you own 25% or more of a business as a partner, your income derived from this partnership can be used in support of your mortgage application, however, if you own less than that, it will not be considered as self employed income. 

Your share of the net profits is used to determine your basic salary and you will need to provide similar evidence to Limited Company Directors, as above.

Sole Traders or Freelancers

As an independent or freelance worker, your proof of income is slightly more straightforward because there is only your personal income to consider. You will need to provide two to three years’ worth of:

• Certified accounts 
• SA302 tax returns or HMRC tax year overview and tax year calculations

Contractors

Mortgage lenders will either calculate your income in the same way as a freelance worker, or if you’re on a day-rate, some will be willing to annualise this to determine your basic salary. Proof of income will therefore be:

• Certified accounts
• SA302 forms or HMRC tax year overview and tax year calculations
• Contracted day-rate evidence
• Signed contracts to prove ongoing work availability