Mortgages made simple for the self-employed

Being your own boss shouldn’t make getting a mortgage harder. At Autumn Money, we specialise in helping self-employed professionals, from freelancers and contractors to company directors – secure the right deal. We understand how your income works, package your application properly, and connect you with lenders who see the bigger picture, not just the paperwork.

What is a self-employed mortgage?

A self-employed mortgage isn't a specific product, it's any mortgage where the applicant earns all or most of their income through self-employment. The challenge is how lenders assess your income.

Instead of relying on a payslip or salary, lenders may request:;

SA302s and tax year overviews (from HMRC)
Full accounts (1–3 years, depending on lender)
Accountant's reference
Business bank statements

At Autumn Money, we work with lenders that understand how to interpret self-employed income fairly and flexibly, whether you're a sole trader, company director, contractor, or limited company owner

Who we help

We work with all types of self-employed clients:

Explaining how mortgages work (no jargon!)
Sole traders (income based on net profit)
Limited company directors (salary + dividends or retained profit)
Freelancers / contractors (day rate or project-based income)
Partners in LLPs or traditional partnerships
Multiple income sources (e.g. buy-to-let + business income)
Recently self-employed (from 1 year trading, in some cases)

How we can help you

Self-employed mortgage applications need to be carefully packaged. We'll:

Assess your income properly (even when lenders won't)
Source from mainstream and specialist lenders across the market
Help with complex tax situations, fluctuating income, or retained profits
Liaise directly with your accountant if needed
Prepare your documents, explain lender criteria, and avoid delays
Secure decisions in principle so you can confidently house hunt

We also advise on tax-efficient borrowing strategies, especially for limited company directors or those planning remortgages

UK Case Study: Self-Employed Contractor in Bristol

Client:

IT contractor operating via Ltd company

Annual Income:

£425/day on 12-month contract

Trading History:

18 months

Property value:

£375,000 purchase with £75,000 deposit

What We Arranged:

Contractor-friendly lender using day rate x 5 days x 48 weeks
Mortgage of £300,000 (80% LTV)
2-year fixed rate at 4.89%
Offer issued in under 10 working days after packaging complete

Result:

Client secured their first home without having to rely on SA302s — the lender assessed their real earnings and the contract's strength.

Frequently asked questions

Most lenders ask for two to three years of accounts or SA302s, but some will consider one year with a strong track record.

Yes, some lenders will include retained profits or company net income when assessing affordability — especially if you’re a limited company director.

It’s more challenging but possible. We may use projected income, contracts, or previous employment history to support your case.

Contractors are usually assessed based on their day rate and contract length. Lenders often use an annualised figure (day rate × 5 × 48 weeks) to calculate income.

Not directly. Your rate depends more on your deposit, credit score, and income stability than your employment type.

Get the mortgage you deserve

You work hard for your business, and we work just as hard to secure you a mortgage that fits. With our service, you get:

Whole-of-market access including self-employed-friendly lenders

Expert guidance on structuring your income for borrowing

A clear checklist of documents required

Help presenting your case to the lender, and getting it right the first time

Book a free consultation today and take the stress out of self-employed mortgage applications.