Can I get a mortgage with only one year of accounts?

Yes, some lenders will accept this, especially if the business is growing or has a strong financial record.

Self Employed Mortgages Coventry & Warwickshire

Being self-employed shouldn’t make getting a mortgage feel harder than it needs to. But if you've ever tried applying with only one year of accounts, retained profits, or fluctuating income, you’ve probably seen how rigid some lenders can be.

At Jigsaw, we work with business owners, sole traders, freelancers and limited company directors to secure the mortgages they deserve, even when their income isn’t “standard.” We speak your language, understand your paperwork, and help you build a clear, confident path to approval.

Many lenders assess self-employed applicants differently from PAYE employees. Even if your income is higher, it may not be straightforward to prove.

Common challenges include:

Fluctuating or seasonal income
Business expenses reduce taxable income
Retained profits are not being counted
The assumption that you need three years of accounts
Difficulty accessing “high street” deals

That’s where expert advice really counts, especially from a broker who understands how your income is structured.

SA302s and tax year overviews from HMRC (at least one full year)

Finalised accounts (often prepared by a qualified accountant)

Business bank statements (to show cash flow and turnover)

Proof of deposit and ID

Credit history checks

You don’t always need three years of accounts. Some lenders are happy with just one or two; we’ll identify the best match based on your business profile.

High-street banks frequently miscalculate entrepreneurial income, missing out on your true borrowing power by failing to factor in retained net profits or fluctuating dividend structures. To ensure your true earnings are accurately represented to the right underwriters, you can request a tailored self-employed affordability review with our Coventry-based team.

Step 1

Initial phone call

We ask a few questions to get a sense of your income, goals and business structure.

Step 1

Step 2

Fact-finding appointment

We review your tax documents, accounts and affordability. Then we create a plan to approach the right lenders.

Step 2

Step 3

Agreement in principle

This gives you clarity on what you can borrow, essential before house hunting or making an offer.

Step 3

Step 4

Mortgage application

We handle the full application, liaise with the lender, and resolve any documentation requests.

Step 4

Step 5

Offer & completion

We manage the process to completion, keeping things on track and handling communication with all parties.

Step 5

Frequently asked questions

While most high-street lenders prefer 2 to 3 years of accounts, JIMS has access to specialist specialist lenders who can assess your application with just 12 months of certified trading history or your latest SA302.

You will typically need your latest SA302 tax calculations and tax year overviews from HMRC, alongside 3 months of business bank statements. If you are a limited company director, finalized accounts showing net profit can also be utilized.

Yes, but it requires a human underwriter. Standard banks may automatically average your income down or reject the application, but our whole-of-market access allows us to place your case with lenders who look at the context behind your business performance.

It’s your tax summary from HMRC showing your declared income. You can download it from your online tax account, or we’ll show you how.

Some lenders do count them, especially if you're a company director. We’ll help match you with one who does.

Yes. We have access to the whole market and specialist lenders who look at the bigger picture.

How can we help you?

Know your budget

Get a quick estimate of your buying power based on your income and budget.

Get mortgage in principle

Secure a lender-backed agreement to strengthen your offer on a property.

See your monthly payments

See what your monthly payments could look like with our easy mortgage calculator.

Find out what you can afford in minutes

Get clarity before you start house hunting

Understanding what you can realistically afford is the first step towards a stress-free home-buying journey. Our affordability tool gives you a quick, realistic estimate of how much you may be able to borrow, based on your income, outgoings, and deposit.

A quick check, with no impact on your credit score

The tool is completely free to use, takes just a couple of minutes, and won’t affect your credit score — so you can explore your options with confidence and no pressure.

Plan with confidence, whatever your next step

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home, or simply exploring what’s possible, this check helps you set a clear budget, focus on the right properties, and avoid unwelcome surprises later on.

Self-employed mortgage advice in Coventry & Warwickshire

Rate match guarantee

You won't find a better deal anywhere else and if you do we will pay the difference!

Can you get a mortgage if you are self-employed?

Why is it harder for the self-employed?

How do lenders calculate self-employed income?