{"id":89,"date":"2026-08-14T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/payslp.com\/blog\/?p=89"},"modified":"2026-08-15T18:06:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T18:06:20","slug":"can-contractors-get-a-mortgage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/payslp.com\/blog\/guides\/can-contractors-get-a-mortgage\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Contractors Get a Mortgage? IR35 and Affordability"},"content":{"rendered":"

How mortgage lenders actually assess contractor income, and why Inside\/Outside IR35 status matters more than people think.<\/p>\n

It’s genuinely more complicated than employed applications<\/h2>\n

Lenders can’t simply look at a single payslip the way they would for an employee \u2014 contractor income is assessed differently, and not every lender approaches it the same way.<\/p>\n

What lenders typically want to see<\/h2>\n

Day rate, contract history, and time remaining on your current contract all matter \u2014 a longer track record of consistent contracting generally works in your favour, while a very new contracting career can make some lenders more cautious.<\/p>\n

Why IR35 status matters<\/h2>\n

Inside IR35<\/a> income is often assessed more like employed income, while Outside IR35 income run through a limited company sometimes requires lenders to look at retained company profit rather than just what you draw personally \u2014 worth understanding which applies to you before applying.<\/p>\n

Specialist advice genuinely helps here<\/h2>\n

A broker experienced specifically with contractor mortgages typically has access to a wider range of lenders comfortable with contractor income than a general high-street mortgage adviser.<\/p>\n

Model your contractor take-home first with the Payslp Contractor calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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What to prepare before applying<\/h2>\n

Recent contracts, evidence of your day rate history, and \u2014 if relevant \u2014 your limited company accounts all help build a stronger application. Preparing this documentation before approaching a lender, rather than scrambling once an application is underway, genuinely smooths the process.<\/p>\n

Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n

Do I need at least a year of contracting history to get a mortgage?<\/strong>
\nNot always \u2014 some specialist lenders will consider shorter track records, particularly if you have relevant permanent employment experience in the same field beforehand.<\/p>\n

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Related reading<\/h2>\n