Self Employed Mortgages
Sole trader, contractor or limited company director? Our advisors know how different lenders assess self-employed income and will help you present yours.
What is a Specialist Mortgage?
A specialist mortgage is a mortgage for circumstances that fall outside a lender’s standard criteria. That might be down to you, the property you’re buying or the way you’re buying it.
Many high street lenders use automated systems that rely on a tick-box approach. If something doesn’t fit, such as a missed payment a few years ago, a visa, or a plot of land rather than a finished house, the system may simply say no.
That doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage. It means you need a lender whose criteria fit your situation, and someone who knows where to find one. That’s where we come in.
Specialist Mortgages we help with
Below are some of the most common specialist situations we help with, but don’t worry if yours isn’t listed. If your circumstances are a little different, get in touch and we’ll talk you through your options.
Self Build Mortgages
Building your own home? Self-build mortgages release funds in stages as your project progresses. Our advisors will find a lender to fund your build from plot to completion.
Mortgages for Auction Properties
Buying at auction? Timescales are tight, so your finance needs to be ready before you bid. Our advisors will help you line up a lender that can move quickly.
Bad Credit Mortgages
Missed payments, a CCJ or a thin credit file? Some lenders look beyond your score. Our advisors will help you find one that understands your circumstances.
Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor Mortgages
Need a family member’s income to help you buy? A JBSP mortgage lets them support your application without owning a share of your home.
Skilled Worker Visa Mortgages
On a Skilled Worker visa? You may have more options than you think, often including high street rates. Our advisors know which lenders welcome visa holders.
Spouse Visa Mortgages
Buying with your partner on a spouse visa? Applying jointly with a British or settled partner can widen your options. Our advisors will find the right lender.
Equity Release & Lifetime Mortgages
Aged 55 or over? A lifetime mortgage could let you release money from your home without moving. Our advisors will explain your options, costs and risks.
Who might benefit from a specialist mortgage?
You might benefit from specialist advice if:
- Your credit history isn’t perfect. Missed payments, defaults, CCJs, debt management plans or very little credit history at all.
- Your income is complex. Self-employment, contracting, multiple income streams or a recent change of job.
- You’re not a UK national. Visa holders and those who’ve recently moved to the UK.
- The property is non-standard. Self-builds, properties needing renovation, or homes of non-standard construction.
- You’re buying in a non-standard way. At auction, with family support, or to a tight deadline.
- You’re in or approaching later life. Borrowing into retirement or releasing money from your home.
Many of our clients fall into more than one of these categories. The more boxes your situation ticks, the more valuable specialist advice becomes.
What is a specialist mortgage lender?
Specialist lenders are banks and building societies that focus on borrowers whose circumstances fall outside mainstream criteria.
Rather than relying solely on automated decisions, many underwrite applications by hand, so a real person looks at your circumstances as a whole.
Rates from specialist lenders can be higher than standard deals, but not always. And specialist advice doesn’t automatically mean a specialist lender. Many high street banks will accept circumstances you might assume rule you out, as long as you approach the right one. Part of our job is knowing which.
Taking a specialist mortgage now doesn’t mean you’re tied to one forever. As your circumstances improve, for example as your credit history recovers or your visa status changes, we can review your options when your deal ends.
It’s never too early to discuss your mortgage
Tell us about your mortgage requirements and one of our specialist advisors will be in touch within 24 hours.
Why use a specialist mortgage broker?
Lenders don’t always publish their criteria clearly, and they rarely advertise which unusual circumstances they’ll accept.
Applying to lenders one by one is time-consuming. Each declined application can also leave a mark on your credit file, which makes the next one harder.
As independent, whole-of-market mortgage advisors, we know which lenders to approach for your situation before anything is submitted.
We’ll be honest about what’s realistic, help you prepare the right documents and present your application in the best possible light. We don’t judge. Whatever your circumstances, we’ve almost certainly seen something similar before.
Ready to get started?
If you’ve been turned down elsewhere or you’re not sure where you stand, talk to us before you apply. Tell us about your mortgage requirements and one of our specialist advisors will be in touch within 24 hours.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Specialist Mortgage FAQs
They can be, but not always. Rates depend on your circumstances and the lender. Many of our clients with non-standard situations still access high street deals. We’ll compare the market to find the most suitable option for you.
Very often, yes. A decline usually means the application went to the wrong lender for your circumstances. We’ll look at why it was turned down and match you with lenders whose criteria fit.
Yes, it’s possible. If your circumstances improve during your deal, for example your credit history recovers or you gain settled status, you may be able to move to a mainstream lender when it ends. We’ll review your options when the time comes.
A mix of specialist lenders, building societies and high street banks. Each has its own criteria, and some products are only available through brokers.
As whole-of-market advisors, we’ll match you with the right lender rather than you approaching them one by one.
A mix of specialist lenders, building societies and high street banks. Each has its own criteria, and some products are only available through brokers. As whole-of-market advisors, we’ll match you with the right lender rather than you approaching them one by one.