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Self-employed mortgages in Dorset

Working for yourself doesn't make you a worse borrower. It just makes your paperwork different. The trick is applying to the lender who reads your kind of income well, first time.

Book a free consultation How it works
Independent businesses on a Dorset high street

£0

Broker fee. The lender pays us on completion. ← confirm

2 years

Of accounts or tax returns is the usual ask. A few lenders will accept one. We know which.

Right lender first

Each failed application leaves a mark on your file. Choosing well up front avoids the scenic route.

What we help with

Every kind of working for yourself.

Lenders assess each of these differently. We speak all four dialects.

Sole traders

Lenders work from the net profit on your tax returns, usually averaged over two years. A strong recent year can count for more with the right lender, and we know who weighs it that way.

Limited company directors

Salary plus dividends is the standard measure, but some lenders will use your share of retained profit instead, which can transform the figure for owners who leave money in the business.

Contractors and freelancers

Day-rate contractors can often be assessed on the rate itself rather than accounts, which usually gives a bigger figure. Gaps between contracts need explaining, and we help you do that well.

Mixed and lumpy income

Employed plus a side business, seasonal trade, bonuses and commission. Common across Dorset's tourism and trades. The paperwork takes longer; the mortgage is entirely doable.

Making the file lender-ready

An accountant's certificate, clean tax-year overviews and a sensible story about any dip. We assemble the file the underwriter wants to see before they ask for it.

Same journey, better preparation

The steps match any other mortgage. The extra care goes into the file before it's submitted.

Day 1

First conversation

How your income works, what the accounts show, what you want to borrow.

Week 1

Paperwork gathered

Tax returns, overviews, accounts. Your accountant and we can deal with each other directly.

Week 1–2

Lender matched

We shortlist the lenders who read your income generously and price well.

Weeks 2–6

Application and valuation

Submitted with the full file attached, chased weekly, questions answered fast.

Offer to keys

Exchange and completion

Contracts exchanged, completion set, back to running the business.

What to have ready

Your accountant has most of it.

  • Two years' tax returns (SA302s)
  • Matching tax year overviews
  • Company accounts, if you have a company
  • Photo ID and proof of address
  • Three months' bank statements
  • Current contract, if you're a contractor
Business accounts spread on a kitchen table

Related

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

Been told it's complicated?

It's usually just unfamiliar. Bring the accounts and we'll give you a straight answer, free.