Self‑Employed and Thinking About a Mortgage? Here’s What You Need to Know.

26th January 2026

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Self‑Employed and Thinking About a Mortgage? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Being self‑employed shouldn’t make getting a mortgage feel harder — it just means lenders look at things a little differently. And with the right guidance, it’s absolutely achievable.

Here’s what lenders usually look at:
• Your last 1–2 years tax Calculations and Tax year overviews (some lenders will also use an accountants certificate.
• Consistent or growing income
 • Your business structure (sole trader, partnership, limited company)
 • Dividend drawings or salary
• Any retained profits (for limited company directors)

Good news: There are plenty of lenders who specialise in self‑employed mortgages and take a more flexible, real‑life view of your income.
A few tips to strengthen your application:
• Keep your accounts up to date
• Work with a qualified accountant
• Avoid big dips in income where possible
• Have your documents ready early
• Keep business and personal finances clearly separated
And remember — being self‑employed doesn’t mean you need a bigger deposit or a perfect financial history. It just means you need someone who understands how to present your income clearly to the right lender.

At Lilywhite Mortgages, we’ll guide you through the whole process, explain everything in plain English, and help you feel confident from the very first chat.

Your business works hard for you — and we’ll work just as hard to help you into your new home.