Homes for Self-Starters: Self-employed Mortgage Starter Guide

Table of Contents

Are you considering getting a mortgage as a self-employed individual? Mortgages for self-employed people are very common but can be seen as daunting. Here is a quick starter guide for people who are self-employed looking to get mortgages.

What counts as self-employed?

When getting a mortgage, it could be tricky to see if you are classed as self-employed. By lenders, someone who is self-employed is seen as someone who owns more than 20%-25% of a business which would be the main income. When applying for a mortgage being someone self-employed means that you will fall into one of these three categories.

  • Sole trader -This is someone who owns a business and retains all profits
  • Partnership-This is someone who owns a business but shares the profit with one or more people
  • A limited company is a separate company that keeps your own money away from your business

Being self-employed, How much can I borrow?

When you’re self-employed, getting a mortgage isn’t much different than for those with a regular job. Typically, lenders will provide a mortgage for up to 4.5 times your annual salary, although this can vary based on your income and the size of your deposit1. Just like with any other type of mortgage, it’s wise to save up for a deposit since a larger deposit can lead to lower interest rates.

Because I’m self-employed do I need to pay a higher mortgage rate?

When you’re self-employed, your mortgage rate isn’t affected. As long as you can provide the same information as someone in a full-time job, you can access the same mortgage rates. This means your deposit amount and credit rating are the primary factors in determining your mortgage rate. However, if a traditional bank doesn’t approve your application, you may need to explore specialist lenders who might offer higher rates for self-employed individuals.

Is there any way to try and boost my chances of getting a mortgage when I am self-employed?

There are a few ways that you would be able to boost your chances of getting a mortgage when being self-employed. Some examples of these are:

  • Be on the electoral roll
  • Any mistakes on your credit report to be fixed
  • Save up to make it so you have a bigger deposit
  • Complete an SA302 form – This can provide lenders with proof of your earnings
  • Make sure to keep a high credit rating.
  • Book an appointment with us.

Booking an appointment with us means that we can help you and make sure that you can get the most suitable mortgage possible whilst being a self-starter.

What is a credit rating and how does it work?

Credit rating is a rating created by the banks which is where they will check your credit report, and this will see how you have managed your debt and bills in the past. This is only on a credit card, not a debit card. An example would be that if you had many late payments, it would harm your credit rating but if you regularly make payments on time, you will have a higher credit score. A high credit score can show lenders that you are reliable and more likely to return money in comparison to someone with a low credit score. This is vital if you are self-employed as this could be the main piece of information used if you are a lender

How am I able to find the most suitable mortgage?

To find the most suitable mortgage, simply schedule an appointment with one of our representatives. We provide personalised care and ensure that you secure the most suitable mortgage for your needs.

We’re here to help you:

As a self-starter, you’re used to taking charge and making things happen—but even the most driven individuals can find the mortgage market overwhelming. That’s where we come in. We’re here to empower you with the knowledge and support needed to make informed, confident decisions. Our expert team offers personalised advice tailored specifically to your financial goals, ensuring that you stay in control while benefiting from our industry insights and guidance.

Contact us today to learn more and schedule a no-obligation consultation. We’re here to support you through every step of the process, giving you the tools to succeed in your mortgage journey with confidence and clarity.

Please remember: YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount of the fee will depend upon your circumstances but will range from £250 to £795 and this will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity.

Please be aware that by clicking on to any of the above links you are leaving our website. Please note that neither we nor HL Partnership Limited are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

References:

  1. MoneySuperMarket(2024) Compare self-employed mortgages and find the best rate  Available at:https://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/self-employed/ (Accessed on 18 October 2024)
google
Matthew Carter
January 9, 2026
google
Anna Kowalik
December 23, 2025
google
Tasha Green
December 18, 2025
google
Ryan Thorne
December 17, 2025
google
Georgia WR
December 8, 2025
google
Richard Colley
December 7, 2025
google
Emma Penty
December 3, 2025
google
Laura Calvert
November 20, 2025
google
Kenny Phiri
November 9, 2025
google
Oli Davison
November 5, 2025
facebook
Claire Woodhouse
recommends
November 1, 2025
google
Sian Phiri
October 28, 2025
facebook
Becca Oakes
recommends
October 28, 2025
google
Jessica
October 15, 2025
facebook
Chad Seddons
recommends
September 28, 2025
facebook
Al Hinds
recommends
September 13, 2025
google
Alexandra Hinds
September 13, 2025
google
Hannah Rooke
September 10, 2025
google
Amelia Brittain
September 9, 2025
google
louis griffiths
September 7, 2025
google
Daisy Taylor
September 1, 2025
google
fiona harries
August 12, 2025
facebook
Aryan Pelehroudi
recommends
August 8, 2025
facebook
Nick Milne
recommends
August 6, 2025
facebook
Charlotte Winterburn
recommends
July 26, 2025
google
google
Libby Evans
July 22, 2025
google
Amelia Donlan
July 14, 2025
facebook
Amelia Donlan
recommends
July 14, 2025
google
The hallas Family
July 2, 2025
google
Crysta Smith
July 1, 2025
facebook
Claire Bevan
recommends
June 13, 2025
google
Alex Badger
June 11, 2025
facebook
Alex Badger
recommends
June 11, 2025
facebook
Lyndsay Adams
recommends
May 27, 2025
google
Hannah Cross
May 27, 2025
google
chlopopops
May 3, 2025
google
Emily Deguil
April 2, 2025
google
Alex Murray
April 2, 2025
google
Nathaniel Louis
March 29, 2025
facebook
Sarah Thomas
recommends
March 22, 2025
google
Chloe Hopwood
March 21, 2025
facebook
Lesia Grey
recommends
March 3, 2025
google
Lesia Grey
March 3, 2025
google
ben smith
March 1, 2025
facebook
Josh Burns
recommends
March 1, 2025
google
Laura Adams
February 28, 2025
facebook
Stacey Brunt
recommends
February 17, 2025
google
Stacey Brunt
February 17, 2025
google
Luke Sides
February 16, 2025

Looking for advice, or have some questions?

Other News

An image of the current BoE base rate at 3.75%.

Bank of England Rate Cut to 3.75%—What It Means for Your Mortgage

On 18 December 2025, the Bank of England (BoE) cut the base rate from 4% to 3.75%, taking interest rates to their lowest level since early 2023. This marks the sixth rate cut since last summer and reflects growing concerns about weak economic growth and rising unemployment, even as inflation...Read More

Our clients have lots of good things to say about why they think Belle Maison are the “best in the business”. From first time buyers, to buy to let landlords our clients have come to trust the service we provide, comforted that we’re with them every step of the way.

Check out what our clients have to say about us below!

facebookgoogleOverall Rating
5.0
Based on 278 Reviews
google
Matthew Carter
January 9, 2026
google
Anna Kowalik
December 23, 2025
google
Tasha Green
December 18, 2025
google
Ryan Thorne
December 17, 2025
google
Georgia WR
December 8, 2025
google
Richard Colley
December 7, 2025