Mortgages for Contractors

The difficulty in getting a mortgage as a contractor stems from the fact that the definition of a contractor varies from lender-to-lender, but it’s not quite as complicated as it sounds.

This step-by-step guide will thoroughly detail everything you need to know about getting a mortgage as a contractor.

There are a number of options available which a mortgage broker will be able to help in guiding you through, and you can read up on them below.

What do mortgage lenders class as a contractor?

Mortgage lenders class a contractor as a self-employed freelancer, although not all freelancers count as contractors for mortgage purposes.

As seen through the eyes of a mortgage lender, a contractor tends to trade via a limited company and takes on one contract at a time, working for a period of between three and 12 months.

While they are working on the contract they act as an employee if registered through an agency, which may include umbrella companies or as a self-employed sole trader.

Mortgage lenders often consider a contractor’s income as more stable and reliable than freelancers as the latter involves more short-term contracts with multiple clients and therefore multiple streams of income.

How to get a mortgage as a contractor

The way you’d go about applying for a mortgage as a contractor doesn’t differ too much from how to get a standard mortgage offer.

Your best bet is to use our free online service which will connect you with a mortgage broker based on your individual circumstances.

A broker who specialises in contractor mortgages will then be able to guide you through the application process and give you access to the best deal and rate through their contacts at various mortgage lenders.

However, you will still need to provide the standard information required from lenders such as income information, three months of payslips and identity documents.

As well as this, it is likely that you will also need to provide details of your contract such as the duration, pay and hours you will be working.

Borrowing limits

The approach lenders often take when assessing borrowing limits for a contactor mortgage is by working out your daily rate.

They will usually use 46 or 48 weeks of your contract rate to work out your annual gross income.

If you have a long-term full-time contract, then you may be able to demonstrate your mortgage eligibility to your lender for a longer period of time than what’s stated above.

The reason it is not 52 weeks is because they allow for holidays and periods where you may not have worked.

Try our contractor mortgage calculator below to work out your borrowing limits.

Mortgage lender requirements

The main eligibility criteria lenders will refer to when looking to identify whether to offer a contractor a mortgage include the following…

This is in addition to the standard eligibility requirements that you will need to meet such as age, credit rating, income and the property type.

However, all lenders have varying eligibility requirements for their products, but a mortgage broker will be able to pair you with one that you meet the requirements of.

Credit score/ history requirements

Credit score and history are big factors in the accessibility of a contractor mortgage; however even with poor credit you will still be able to get a mortgage.

While you will be able to access a mortgage as a contractor with poor credit, it’ll likely have an impact on the rate you are offered and the amount of interest you’ll pay, as you’ll be viewed as a higher-risk borrower.

Once you have provided your Tax Calculations and Tax Overview from HMRC to prove your income and tax paid, a broker will be able to assess your individual situation and get you a rate you’re happy with.

The other key to being offered a contractor mortgage with poor credit at a low rate is a large deposit, which we’ll get to next.

Deposit requirements

The minimum you will need for the deposit of a contractor mortgage is 10% of the purchase price.

This is the standard amount required for most specialist mortgage cases, as the lenders tend to view them as higher risk.

Although in some circumstances a mortgage broker may be able to find you a specialist lender who is willing to lower this amount.

However, if you do have a poor credit history or there are additional risks involved such as issues with your contract, then it is likely you will need 15% to 20% of the purchase price to progress with the mortgage.

Trading history requirements

Most mortgage lenders will expect you to produce 2-3 years’ accounts to evidence your income, but it’s possible to get approved with less than that.

Mortgage providers who cater specifically for contractors and fully understand their needs might let you borrow with 12 months’ trading history or allow you to take out a mortgage based on your most recent year’s accounts, which some people choose to do if they’ve had a particularly fruitful year.

Speaking to a broker is recommended if you have less than two years’ accounts.

Speak to an expert about contractor mortgages today!

Getting a mortgage is an important part of life and with our step-by-step guide, you are one foot closer to achieving this goal.

By using our free broker-matching service you can be paired with a whole-of-market mortgage advisor who specialises in contractor mortgages.

They will discuss your individual circumstances, and help you to find a solution that you’re happy with by identifying your most suitable lenders and the best mortgage deals that you qualify for.

Call us on 0808 189 0463 or make an enquiry to be connected to the right advisor for your situation. We don’t charge a fee, and there’s absolutely no further obligation or marks to your credit rating.