Best mortgage loans for self employed

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

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

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

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

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

It’s completely free to use, doesn’t affect your credit score, and takes just a couple of minutes. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving up the ladder, or simply exploring your options, our tool can help you plan with confidence and avoid unwanted surprises later.