Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed?

Yes. Being self-employed does not stop you getting a mortgage. Your income is assessed differently, and the key is matching you to a lender whose criteria fit how you are paid.

How many years of accounts do I need?

Many lenders prefer two to three years, but some accept one year of accounts or trading history. We will tell you which lenders suit your situation.

How is my self-employed income calculated?

It depends on how you trade. Sole traders are usually assessed on net profit, partnerships on their share of profit, directors on salary plus dividends, and contractors often on their day rate.

I am a company director. How is my income assessed?

Lenders often use your salary plus dividends, and some will also consider profit retained in the company. That difference can significantly affect how much you can borrow, so lender choice matters.

I am a contractor on a day rate. Can you help?

Yes. Many lenders can base lending on your day or contract rate rather than your accounts, which is often more generous. We know which lenders take this approach.

Can I get a mortgage in my first year of trading?

It can be possible with a shorter trading history, though options are more limited. We will tell you honestly what is realistic now and what to plan for.

Do all lenders treat self-employed applicants the same?

No, and that is the whole point of using an advisor. Criteria vary widely, so the right lender can be the difference between a decline and an approval.

Fee arrangements vary depending on the work involved and the product. We explain any fees clearly before you proceed.

What is the first step?

Share a few basics about how you trade and your income. We will advise which lenders suit and what paperwork to prepare.

Self-Employed & Contractor Mortgages in Northern Ireland

Get in Touch

Self-employed and looking for a mortgage?

Quick answer: being self-employed does not stop you getting a mortgage — your income is simply assessed differently, and lenders vary widely in how they do it. Crawford Mulholland knows which lenders suit sole traders, company directors and contractors across Belfast and Northern Ireland, with free initial advice.

TL;DR

Self-employed mortgages are very achievable with the right lender.
Some lenders accept just one year of accounts.
Directors and contractors are assessed in different ways — we know the differences.
We help you present your income in the strongest light.
Access to a wide panel of lenders, including broker-only deals.

Why use an advisor if you are self-employed?

Lenders treat self-employed income very differently — some want three years of accounts, others accept one; some use net profit, others salary plus dividends. Pick the wrong lender and a perfectly affordable mortgage can be declined. An advisor helps you:

Match to the right lender: one whose criteria fit how you are paid.
Present your income well: using the figures lenders actually assess.
Avoid wasted applications: and the credit-file marks that come with them.
Plan ahead: if you are newly self-employed or accounts are due soon.

For our wider overview, see mortgage advice and support.

Who we help

Sole traders and partnerships

Income is usually assessed on your share of net profit, typically over one to three years.

Limited company directors

Lenders may use your salary plus dividends, and some will consider retained profit in the business. Professional and complex income is our speciality.

Contractors and day-rate workers

Many lenders can base lending on your day or contract rate rather than accounts, which can be far more generous.

Newly self-employed

Even with a short trading history there are options — we will tell you honestly what is possible now and what to plan for.

How the process works

Every self-employed application is a little different, but the path is similar:

Understand your income: how you are paid and how it is evidenced.
Prepare the paperwork: accounts, tax calculations and bank statements.
Match the lender: one whose criteria fit your circumstances.
Apply: we submit with your income presented clearly.
Valuation & completion: the lender values the property and issues the offer.

We offer appointment times that work around running a business.

How lenders assess self-employed income

It depends on how you trade:

Sole trader: usually net profit, often averaged or based on the latest year.
Partnership: your share of the net profit.
Limited company director: salary plus dividends, and sometimes retained profit.
Contractor: often day or contract rate annualised, rather than accounts.

Alongside income, lenders assess affordability, deposit, credit history and the property. We help you understand which approach suits you best.

Documents you usually need

Exact requirements vary by lender, but having these ready makes the process smoother:

Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
Proof of address
Recent bank statements
Deposit evidence where relevant
One to three years of accounts and/or HMRC tax calculations (SA302) and tax year overviews
Business and personal bank statements
Accountant details, and contracts if you are a contractor

To estimate repayments, use our mortgage calculator.

Mortgage options explained (plain English)

Choosing a mortgage is not only about the rate — it is about how the deal behaves over time and how much flexibility you need.

Fixed vs tracker vs variable

Fixed rate: your rate stays the same for a set period (e.g. 2, 3 or 5 years).
Tracker: your rate moves with a base rate (plus or minus a set margin).
Variable rate: the lender can change the rate; it may or may not track the base rate.

Repayment vs interest-only

Repayment: you pay interest and reduce the balance over time.
Interest-only: you pay only the interest and repay the balance later (strict criteria apply).

Term, fees and flexibility

Mortgage terms, product fees and early repayment charges all affect the overall cost. We talk these through clearly.

Self-employed lending notes

How many years of accounts?

Many lenders prefer two to three years, but some accept a single year of accounts or trading history. The right lender depends on your figures.

Company directors

If you take a low salary and leave profit in the business, some lenders will only see the salary and dividends, while others will consider retained profit — which can make a big difference to what you can borrow.

Contractors

Day-rate contractors can often borrow based on the contract rate rather than accounts, which frequently allows more than a net-profit calculation.

Working with your accountant

We can liaise with your accountant to gather the right figures and present them in the way lenders expect.

FAQs

Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed?
Yes. Being self-employed does not stop you getting a mortgage. Your income is assessed differently, and the key is matching you to a lender whose criteria fit how you are paid.
How many years of accounts do I need?
Many lenders prefer two to three years, but some accept one year of accounts or trading history. We will tell you which lenders suit your situation.
How is my self-employed income calculated?
It depends on how you trade. Sole traders are usually assessed on net profit, partnerships on their share of profit, directors on salary plus dividends, and contractors often on their day rate.
I am a company director. How is my income assessed?
Lenders often use your salary plus dividends, and some will also consider profit retained in the company. That difference can significantly affect how much you can borrow, so lender choice matters.
I am a contractor on a day rate. Can you help?
Yes. Many lenders can base lending on your day or contract rate rather than your accounts, which is often more generous. We know which lenders take this approach.
Can I get a mortgage in my first year of trading?
It can be possible with a shorter trading history, though options are more limited. We will tell you honestly what is realistic now and what to plan for.
Do all lenders treat self-employed applicants the same?
No, and that is the whole point of using an advisor. Criteria vary widely, so the right lender can be the difference between a decline and an approval.
Do you charge a fee?
Fee arrangements vary depending on the work involved and the product. We explain any fees clearly before you proceed.
What is the first step?
Share a few basics about how you trade and your income. We will advise which lenders suit and what paperwork to prepare.

Next steps

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

If you would like to discuss a self-employed or contractor mortgage, the fastest way to start is to share your basics securely so we can prepare for your free initial conversation: complete our mortgage questionnaire.

Prefer to message the team first? Use our contact page, or book a free initial consultation.

Belfast Branch: 348 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 6GH
Tel: 028 9066 5544
Email: office@crawfordmulholland.com

Related mortgage services

Explore our other mortgage services, or speak to the team about your plans:

Ready to talk? Book a free initial consultation.