A 5-star service you can count on
Mortgage Matters has built a reputation for helping self-employed borrowers present their finances in the strongest possible way. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving, remortgaging or investing, you’ll receive tailored, expert-led advice that focuses on your goals and long-term stability.
What Lenders Typically Look For
While every lender has their own criteria, most will assess affordability using:
- Your Trading History - Two years of accounts or SA302s are ideal, although some lenders will consider applications with just one year’s figures.
- Income Stability - Lenders often average the last two years’ income unless the most recent year is lower. We help you present your figures clearly and confidently.
- Business Structure - Whether you’re a sole trader, contractor or limited company director, lenders look at your income differently. We guide you through how your salary, dividends or retained profit will be assessed.
- Existing Commitments - Credit commitments, personal spending and ongoing business finance can influence affordability. We guide you through what lenders take into account.
- Your Role and Working Pattern - Contractors may be assessed using day-rate calculations. Directors are evaluated differently depending on shareholding and income draw. We explain each approach in simple, practical terms.
Local Knowledge That Supports Better Decisions
Surrey’s property landscape is varied and competitive. Commuter towns such as Guildford, Woking, Redhill and Epsom offer quick access to London, while areas like Farnham, Haslemere and Dorking attract buyers looking for space and a countryside lifestyle. Prices and deposit expectations vary, and so does lender appetite depending on location and property type.
Mortgage Matters helps you understand:
- How much deposit is realistic for the areas you’re looking at
- How lenders view homes in busy commuter towns versus quieter villages
- Which mortgage types suit your current and future income
- Whether remortgaging could save money or make your payments more predictable
- How to plan if your business income fluctuates seasonally
Our advice combines in-depth mortgage knowledge with a grounded understanding of Surrey’s property market and buyer behaviour.
FAQs for Self-Employed Mortgages
Most lenders require two years of self-employed trading history as a minimum. This provides them with enough evidence to assess your income and business stability. However, some specialist lenders may accept applicants with less than two years’ accounts, especially if you have a strong credit history and can demonstrate consistent income or have previously worked in the same industry.
Deposit requirements for self-employed borrowers generally start at 15-25% of the property’s value. A larger deposit may increase your chances of approval and can also help secure more competitive interest rates. Lenders view larger deposits as lower risk, especially for self-employed applicants whose income may fluctuate.
Whilst most lenders prefer three years of tax returns, some are more flexible and may consider applications with two years or even alternative proof of income, such as accountant-prepared accounts or bank statements. Mortgage Matters can help you identify lenders who offer more flexible criteria and assist you in gathering the right documentation to strengthen your application.
Getting a mortgage can be more challenging when you work for yourself, as lenders often view self-employed income as less predictable compared to salaried income. This means they require more detailed proof of your earnings and financial stability, such as multiple years of accounts and tax returns. However, with accurate documentation and professional guidance, many self-employed borrowers successfully secure mortgages.
The amount you can borrow depends on your income, credit profile, existing financial commitments, and the lender’s criteria. Lenders usually calculate affordability based on an average of your income over the last two to three years. Working with a specialist broker can help you identify lenders willing to consider your unique financial situation.
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