Which UK lenders are best for contractors and professionals?

Halifax, Clydesdale, Kensington, Precise, Vida, Skipton and Coventry for Intermediaries operate the most contractor- and professional-friendly policies. Halifax and Clydesdale price day-rate and professional cases near mainstream levels; Kensington, Precise and Vida handle one-year accounts and light adverse.

How is contractor income assessed for a mortgage?

Day-rate contractors are usually assessed as day rate × 5 × 46 weeks, giving an annualised figure without needing two years of accounts. CIS subcontractors are assessed on gross vouchers as employed income. Directors can be assessed on salary plus dividends or salary plus retained profit, depending on lender.

Do professionals get better mortgage terms?

Yes. Professional schemes from Halifax, Clydesdale and Scottish Widows Bank lend up to 5.5–6× income and accept newly-qualified or contract-based income for doctors, dentists, and other regulated professions.

Can I get a mortgage with one year of self-employed accounts?

Yes — Kensington, Precise, Vida, Together and Clydesdale lend on one year of SA302s or company accounts at up to 90% LTV, with pricing from around 4.54% in 2026.

Company director mortgages

Borrow against retained profit, not just dividends.

Leaving profit in the business shouldn't shrink your mortgage. The right lender counts salary plus your share of net profit.

AI summary

Company director mortgages are UK residential mortgages for shareholding directors of limited companies, usually those holding 20%+ of the shares. Assessment follows one of two routes: salary plus dividends drawn (most high-street lenders), or salary plus the director's share of retained net profit after corporation tax (Kensington, Clydesdale, Precise, Vida, Coventry for Intermediaries) — the second route typically raises assessed income by 30–60% for directors who retain profit. Lending reaches 5× income and 90% LTV, with rates from 4.34% in 2026, and one year of company accounts is acceptable with specialist lenders.

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Key facts

The numbers, at a glance.

Max income multiple

5×

Max LTV

90%

Min accounts

1 year

Rates from

4.34%

Eligibility & documents

What lenders want to see.

Who typically qualifies

20%+ shareholding in a UK limited company (25% for some lenders)
One to two years of finalised company accounts
Salary and dividends, or salary plus share of retained net profit
10% deposit minimum from savings, gift or equity
Company solvent, with corporation tax up to date

Documents to prepare

Last 1–2 years' finalised company accounts
SA302s and tax year overviews for the same period
Accountant's certificate confirming shareholding and profit availability
Latest 3 months' business and personal bank statements
Companies House confirmation statement and proof of deposit

Why us

How Elena helps, specifically.

Retained profit counted

Assessed income often 30–60% higher than a dividends-only view.

Tax-efficient drawings kept

No need to declare extra dividends purely to pass affordability.

Up to 5× income

Stretched multiples on the higher assessed figure, not the lower one.

One year accepted

Newly incorporated companies are lendable with the right packaging.

Accountant liaison

We request exactly the figures each lender's form requires.

AI-matched

Elena ranks lenders by how they treat your specific profit structure.

What Elena recommends

Top lender matches for this profile

Best match

Clydesdale Bank

Professional 5yr Fix · 85% LTV

4.34%

representative rate

Match score96%

"Salary plus share of retained profit at near-mainstream pricing."

Kensington

Select 5yr Fix · 90% LTV

4.79%

representative rate

Match score90%

"Highest LTV with retained-profit assessment on one year of accounts."

Coventry for Intermediaries

5yr Fix · 75% LTV

4.29%

representative rate

Match score88%

"Cheapest option for directors with 25%+ equity and two years of accounts."

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Can't find your answer?

Elena, our AI mortgage expert, can answer it in seconds — or book you a free callback with a human broker.

How do lenders assess company director income?

Two methods. Most high-street lenders use salary plus dividends drawn. Kensington, Clydesdale, Precise, Vida and Coventry for Intermediaries use salary plus your percentage share of retained net profit — which typically increases assessed income by 30–60% for directors who leave profit in the business.

Can I use retained profit for a mortgage?

Yes, with the right lender. You will need finalised accounts showing net profit after corporation tax, your shareholding percentage, and an accountant's confirmation that the profit is available for distribution.

How much shareholding counts as self-employed?

20% or more in most lender policies (25% with a minority of lenders). Below that threshold you are usually assessed as employed on payslips alone, which is often simpler and cheaper.

Can directors of a one-year-old company get a mortgage?

Yes — Kensington, Precise, Vida and Clydesdale lend on one year of company accounts at up to 90% LTV, particularly where you previously worked in the same sector as an employee.

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