Getting a mortgage as a self-employed professional or contractor doesn’t have to be complicated — but it does require the right lender and expert guidance. At Middleton Finance, we specialise in helping business owners, directors, freelancers, and contractors secure mortgages that reflect their true income.
Many self-employed applicants are initially told “no” by high-street banks because income is assessed differently. We make sure your income is presented correctly, manage the process from start to finish, and reduce the risk of delays or rejection — so you can move forward with confidence.
👉 Book your no-obligation self-employed mortgage consultation
Self-employed applicants are assessed very differently to employed borrowers. Each lender has its own criteria, and choosing the wrong lender can limit how much you can borrow — or lead to rejection.
We regularly help:
Whether you have one year of accounts or several years of trading history, we’ll assess your situation and match you with lenders who understand your income.
Different lenders calculate self-employed income in different ways. Presenting your income correctly can be the difference between a declined application and a successful mortgage offer — or between borrowing £200,000 and £260,000.
Business Structure | How Lenders Assess Income | Example |
Sole traders & partnerships | Net profit | Annual accounts show £50,000 profit |
Limited company directors | Salary + dividends | £35,000 salary + £15,000 dividends |
Certain specialist lenders | Retained profits | Lender considers profits kept in the business |
Contractors | Day rate × contract length | £500/day × 46 weeks = £23,000 |
Choosing the right lender is critical — we know which ones understand self-employed and contractor income.
Contractors are assessed differently from traditional self-employed applicants. Many lenders will consider:
You do not always need full accounts to get a contractor mortgage. We know which lenders accept contract-based assessments — and which do not.
Going directly to a bank often means being assessed under rigid criteria that don’t reflect self-employed income. As a whole-of-market mortgage broker, we:
We know which lenders are flexible — and which to avoid — giving you the best chance of approval.
While many lenders ask for two years of accounts, some will consider:
If you’re not quite ready yet, we’ll explain what’s possible now — and help you plan for a future application.
❌ Applying to high-street banks first
❌ Submitting accounts incorrectly
❌ Assuming one rejection means “no mortgage”
❌ Not planning income in advance
A specialist mortgage adviser helps you avoid these mistakes entirely.
We guide you through every step, making the process simple and stress-free:
1️⃣ Initial Consultation – Review income, business structure, and goals
2️⃣ Affordability Assessment – Understand realistic borrowing limits
3️⃣ Lender Selection – Match you with suitable self-employed lenders
4️⃣ Mortgage Application – We handle paperwork and submissions
5️⃣ Mortgage Offer – Support through to completion
Clear communication. No guesswork. No surprises.
Our mortgage broker fee is £399, payable only once you receive a formal mortgage offer.
This is explained clearly during your free consultation.
Possibly. Some lenders will consider one year of accounts depending on your profession and income stability.
Yes. Many lenders assess contractors using day rates rather than accounts.
Not necessarily. With the right lender, self-employed applicants can often borrow similar amounts to employed borrowers.
Middleton Finance is a trading name of Daniel Bailey who is an Appointed Representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of Advance Mortgage Funding Ltd. Advance Mortgage Funding Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Still have a question? Get in touch.
Being self-employed shouldn’t hold you back from owning a home. At Middleton Finance, we provide calm, clear, and expert mortgage advice for self-employed clients and contractors across the UK.