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.

Self-employed — 1 year of accounts

One year of accounts is enough.

Kensington, Precise, Vida, Clydesdale and Halifax lend on a single year's SA302s — up to 90% LTV and 4.75× income.

AI summary

A one-year-accounts mortgage is a UK residential mortgage for self-employed applicants who have completed only one full trading year. Kensington, Precise, Vida, Together, Clydesdale and Halifax will lend on a single year of SA302s or finalised accounts, typically to 90% LTV at 4.5–4.75× income, with rates from 4.54% in 2026. Sole traders are assessed on net profit; limited company directors on salary plus dividends, or salary plus their share of retained net profit with lenders that allow it. Continuity of profession before going self-employed is the single strongest supporting factor.

Check my eligibility Talk to a broker

Key facts

The numbers, at a glance.

Min trading history

1 year

Max LTV

90%

Max income multiple

4.75×

Rates from

4.54%

Eligibility & documents

What lenders want to see.

Who typically qualifies

One full trading year completed with finalised accounts or SA302
Sole trader, partnership or limited company director
Ideally 2+ years' prior employment in the same field
10% deposit minimum (5% on selected cases with a strong profile)
Light adverse considered by Precise, Vida and Together

Documents to prepare

Latest SA302 and tax year overview, or finalised year-one accounts
Accountant's certificate plus a current-year projection
Latest 3 months' business and personal bank statements
Evidence of prior employment in the same sector (P60 or reference)
Proof of deposit, ID and 3-year address history

Why us

How Elena helps, specifically.

No two-year wait

Buy now on year one rather than losing a year of the market.

Retained profit counted

Directors assessed on salary plus share of net profit, not just dividends.

Rates from 4.54%

Strong cases price close to mainstream, not deep specialist.

Profession continuity

Prior employed experience used to offset the short trading history.

Remortgage path

Plan year two now, then move to high-street pricing on renewal.

AI-matched

Elena screens every lender's self-employed policy in under 60 seconds.

What Elena recommends

Top lender matches for this profile

Best match

Clydesdale Bank

5yr Fix · 85% LTV

4.54%

representative rate

Match score94%

"Best pricing on one year of accounts and allows retained profit."

Kensington

Select 5yr Fix · 90% LTV

4.89%

representative rate

Match score90%

"Highest LTV on a single trading year with a projection."

Precise

Tier 1 5yr Fix · 85% LTV

5.19%

representative rate

Match score82%

"Combines one-year accounts with light adverse credit."

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.

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

Yes. Kensington, Precise, Vida, Together, Clydesdale and Halifax (case by case) lend on a single year of accounts or SA302s. Typical terms are up to 90% LTV at 4.5–4.75× income, with rates from 4.54% in 2026. An accountant's reference and a projection strengthen the case significantly.

How is income calculated from one year of accounts?

Sole traders: net profit for the year. Limited company directors: salary plus dividends, or — with Kensington, Clydesdale and Precise — salary plus your share of retained net profit, which is usually materially higher.

Does it help if I traded in the same field before going self-employed?

Yes, substantially. Continuity of profession is a core underwriting factor. Two years employed in the same sector followed by one year self-employed is treated far more favourably than a career change.

Will one year of accounts mean a higher rate?

Not always. Halifax and Clydesdale can price at near-mainstream levels for strong cases; specialist lenders sit roughly 0.3–0.8% above prime. After a second year of accounts you can usually remortgage onto high-street pricing.

Ready to meet your AI mortgage advisor?

Get a personalised eligibility check in under 60 seconds. No credit footprint, no spam.

Start free check Browse lenders