Many people believe they won’t be able to get a mortgage if they are self-employed. Fortunately, the situation is more positive than you might think. There are various options for the self-employed.
Self-employed numbers have grown in the UK in the past 20 years. According to the Office for National Statistics, there were more than five million self-employed people in the UK by the end of 2019. This was up from 3.2 million in 2000. Self-employed people represent 15.3 per cent of the working population in the UK – an increase of 12 per cent from 2000.
If you have struggled to get a mortgage before, maybe you weren’t speaking to the right lender or broker. ‘It’s all about getting a good broker with access to a wide range of mortgage products,’ says Monica Bradley, MB Associates’ Managing Director. ‘A good broker will have every base covered. We have clients who are self-employed as sole traders, company directors and contractors.’
We answer some commonly asked questions about getting a mortgage when self-employed (self employed mortgages) and explain why you shouldn’t give up…
What if you haven’t been self-employed for very long?
There are specialist lenders who will take your application into account if you’ve only got one year’s worth of accounts. Lenders may be more receptive if your business is in an industry you’ve worked in for a long time. MB Associates’ Sales Manager, Phil Leivesley, says: ‘The vast majority of lenders require two years’ worth of accounts, although there are still some options for applicants who might only have evidence for one full year. For professionals, for example; doctors, dentists, accountants, lawyers and engineers, it might be possible to proceed, even if they do not yet have their first year’s accounts.’
What paperwork do you need to provide?
Lenders will usually ask to see bank statements and an SA302 form that shows your income for each tax year. If you file your tax return online, you won’t have a printed copy, but you can log on to the HMRC’s website and download one. They may also ask for your accounts and information from your accountant.
‘Have all of your documents ready, specifically those that evidence your earnings, such as Tax Calculation Forms and accounts,’ says Phil. ‘Seek the advice of a broker in advance of any prospective mortgage application. They can help you to plan ahead.’
The exact paperwork you need depends on your self-employed status. ‘For a sole trader or partner in a partnership, we would typically require the latest two years’ Tax Calculation Forms and Tax Year Overviews,’ says Phil. ‘For a director of a limited company with a shareholding of greater than 20 per cent, we would also require full accounts for the business for the most recent two years.’
How are your earnings assessed for a mortgage if you are a sole trader?
If you are a sole trader, how much you can borrow will depend on whether your earnings have decreased or increased. If your income has gone up lenders will normally take your average income from the past two years. If your earnings have gone down, they will use the lowest figure.
What if you are a contractor charging a day rate?
When it comes to assessing what you can borrow, lenders will normally take your day rate and multiply it by the number of working days in the year. You will usually also be asked to supply a history of your contracts over the past year or two to show consistency.
What if you are a director of your own limited company?
There is a common misconception that dividends won’t be taken into consideration by lenders. This is not the case. ‘Most lenders will take into consideration dividends plus your PAYE/director’s remuneration, so it is fine to take income as dividends,’ says Monica. ‘For people who don’t want to take their income out of the company, some banks will accept profit after tax plus PAYE/dividends.’
Should you increase your income if you run a limited company?
If you pay yourself a salary and/or dividends out of your own limited company, it’s wise to pay yourself a higher slice of the profits to boost your mortgage application. ‘Many lenders will look at income and not profit,’ says Monica. This may help your application.
Try to avoid making any major changes to your business. It helps to show a consistent and stable company structure.
What about your personal spending?
Avoid any luxury purchases, keep your bank statements to hand and try not to take out any new loans unless absolutely necessary. A consistent pattern of earnings and outgoings will help.
Read our 5 Tips For Self Employed Borrowers or contact us today for mortgage advice.