Being self-employed shouldn't mean a worse mortgage - but it does mean the lender assesses your income differently. Sole traders, CIS contractors and limited company directors are each treated on different figures. We match your structure to the lender that uses the most favourable income calculation for you.
Sole traders
Sole traders are usually assessed on net profit, averaged over 2–3 years. We present your accounts to maximise the figure lenders will use, with full transparency.
- Assessed on net profit, averaged 2–3 years
- Accounts presented to maximise the usable figure
- Recent year weighted where profits are rising
CIS contractors
CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) contractors can sometimes be assessed on gross contract value rather than self-employed accounts - a significant advantage. We know which lenders treat CIS this way.
- Gross contract value assessment available
- Payslips/CIS vouchers as evidence
- Avoids the 2-year accounts trap
Limited company directors
Directors are typically assessed on salary plus dividends. But some building societies use salary plus dividends plus share of net profit - which suits directors on a low salary with high retained profit. We find those lenders.
- Standard: salary plus dividends
- Favourable: salary + dividends + share of net profit
- Retained profit lenders identified for low-salary directors
Common questions
Do I need 2 years' accounts?
Not always. Some lenders accept 1 year's accounts, and CIS contractors can sometimes be assessed on gross contract value without 2 years of self-employed history.
I take a low salary and keep profit in the company - can I still borrow?
Yes. Certain building societies assess directors on salary plus dividends plus their share of net profit, which suits a low-salary, high-retained-profit structure.