Mortgages for the self employed.
At Keynote Mortgage Solutions, we provide expert self employed mortgage advice, helping you compare lenders, understand their criteria and find a mortgage that suits your income and circumstances. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving home or remortgaging, we’ll support you from your first enquiry through to completion.




Self Employed Mortgage Advice.
Getting a mortgage when you’re self employed doesn’t have to be more complicated than it needs to be. While lenders often ask for different information than they would from employed applicants, there are plenty of mortgage options available for sole traders, company directors, freelancers, contractors and business partners.
At Keynote Mortgage Solutions, we take the time to understand how your income is structured before comparing lenders that are best suited to your circumstances. Whether you’ve been self employed for many years or recently started your business, we’ll help you navigate the application process with clear advice and mortgage solutions tailored to you.
Every lender assesses self employed income differently, which is why expert guidance can make a real difference. We’ll explain what’s required, help you prepare your application and work hard to secure a competitive mortgage that supports your homeownership goals.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
What are
A self employed mortgage isn’t a separate type of mortgage. Self-employed applicants can usually access the same mortgage products and interest rates as employed borrowers. The main difference is how lenders assess your income.
Instead of using payslips, mortgage lenders will typically review your accounts, tax documents or company income to understand how much you earn and whether your income is sustainable. Different lenders assess self-employed income in different ways, which is why choosing the right lender is so important.
At Keynote Mortgage Solutions, we compare a wide range of lenders to find those whose criteria best match your circumstances, helping give your application the strongest possible chance of success.
Self employed mortgages are available to sole traders, limited company directors, freelancers and more. Working with an adviser who understands self-employed applications can help you find the most suitable mortgage for your circumstances as every lender assesses differently.
The deposit required for a self employed mortgage is usually the same as any residential mortgage. Some lenders accept deposits from as little as 5%, while a larger deposit may provide access to more competitive mortgage products.
How much could you borrow?
Get An Estimate in minutes with our easy to use mortgage calculators.
Lender Criteria.
When reviewing a self employed mortgage application, lenders want to see that your income is stable, your mortgage is affordable and your finances are well managed.
They’ll usually review your trading history, accounts or tax documents, alongside your credit history, existing financial commitments and the source of your deposit. Some lenders prefer two years of accounts, while others are happy to consider applicants with just one year’s trading history.
Because every lender has different criteria, the amount you can borrow may vary considerably. At Keynote Mortgage Solutions, we compare lenders carefully to identify those most suited to your income and business structure, helping you secure a mortgage with confidence.
One Years Accounts.
Yes, it’s possible to get a self employed mortgage with just one year’s accounts, although it will depend on the lender and the strength of your overall application.
Many lenders prefer to see at least two years of trading history, as this gives them a clearer picture of how stable your income is. However, some lenders are happy to consider applicants who have been trading for just 12 months, particularly if your business is performing well, you have a strong credit history and you’re able to provide a larger deposit.
If you’ve recently become self-employed but previously worked in the same industry, this may also strengthen your application. Every lender has different criteria, which is why expert mortgage advice can make a significant difference.
Many people believe self-employed applicants pay higher mortgage rates, but that’s rarely true. If you meet a lender’s affordability criteria, you could access the same competitive mortgage deals as someone in employed work. Finding the right lender is often the biggest factor in securing a suitable mortgage.
Our Process
Arranging a self employed mortgage is often much simpler when you have the right advice. Our straightforward four-step process is designed to make your application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
We’ll discuss your business, income, mortgage goals and financial circumstances, giving us a clear understanding of your requirements before recommending suitable lenders.
We’ll compare mortgage products from a wide range of lenders, taking into account how each assesses self-employed income to find the most suitable option for you.
Once you’ve chosen your mortgage, we’ll manage the application, liaise with the lender and keep you updated throughout the process, ensuring efficient progress.
After your mortgage is approved, we’ll continue supporting you through to completion, making sure everything is in place before you receive the keys to your new home.
Why use a mortgage broker?
Finding the right lender is one of the most important parts of any self employed mortgage application. While one lender may decline an application based on the way they assess your income, another may be perfectly happy to lend using a different affordability calculation.
Some lenders assess salary and dividends, others consider net profits, while some may even include retained company profits or contractor income. These differences can have a significant impact on how much you’re able to borrow.
At Keynote Mortgage Solutions, we understand how different lenders assess self-employed applicants. Rather than approaching lenders one by one, we’ll compare your options, recommend those best suited to your circumstances and guide you through the entire process, helping save you both time and unnecessary stress.
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Gloria ObiagwuTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
JADE WAS SO HELPFUL AND FRIENDLY, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND KEYNOTE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS LTD TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BUY A NEW HOME THANK YOU SO MUCH 💓![]()
Adam ClewlowTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Aaron and the team made my mortgage application stress free and found me a great deal even during the turbulent times we live in currently. Being self employed, getting a mortgage can be a struggle however, the team at Keynote made the whole process smooth and stress free. I had regular contact from Aaron and Jade throughout the process and would highly recommend using Keynote to anyone. Thanks guys!!![]()
Daniel BeckerlegTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Emily, Charlotte & team have been a huge help & support from start to finish. Can’t recommend Keynote more. They took so much stress out of the house buying process. They answered any questions I had not only on the mortgage but solicitor & insurance. Thanks a lot. And see you in a couple of years for my remortgage.![]()
Mehdi hassanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excellent service from start to finish! The team were incredibly helpful, professional, and supportive throughout the entire mortgage process. They made everything simple, kept me informed, and were always there when I needed them. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy and reliable mortgage broker. Special Thanks to Aaron and Jade, Thank you for making the whole process so smooth!![]()
T ATrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Both Emily and Martin were fantastic and kept me informed all the way through the process. This is the second time I’ve used Key note and it certainly won’t be the last! Great team and great attitude. Thanks again guys![]()
Sarah HTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excellent, really appreciate the help from the team. Many thanks. A+++![]()
Zoe FearnTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Super happy with the help we received from Jake and Jade, was such a smooth process with both their reassurance throughout the whole remortgage. Look forward to dealing with you again in the future. Thanks again, well recommended 👌![]()
Conner MurphyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Highly recommend! Everyone was very helpful and friendly, making the remortgaging process a lot easier. I’d like to give a big thank you to Jade, who was constantly in contact to let me know what was happening and what the next steps were. Jade was also very quick to get back in touch whenever I had any questions. Thanks again, everyone!![]()
Stefan RhodesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Absolutely fantastic service! Everytime I had a query, Emily contacted me and sorted it out straight away. Thanks a lot.
Why Choose Keynote
Tailored Mortgage Advice
Every recommendation is based on your business, income and long-term goals, ensuring your mortgage is suited to your individual circumstances.
Experienced Advisers
We have experience helping self-employed applicants secure mortgages across a wide range of professions, industries and business structures.
Choosing the right mortgage adviser can make all the difference when you’re self-employed. Our experienced team understands the challenges business owners can face and provides straightforward advice that’s tailored to your circumstances.
Personal Service
You’ll receive friendly, honest advice throughout your mortgage journey, with a dedicated adviser available to answer your questions whenever you need us.
Support from Start to Finish
From your initial enquiry through to completion, we’ll manage the process and keep you informed every step of the way.
Let’s Get Started.
Contact Keynote Mortgage Solutions today to arrange your free initial consultation and discover how we can help you secure the right self employed mortgage with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many lenders offer mortgages to self-employed applicants, although you’ll usually need to provide evidence of your income and meet the lender’s affordability criteria.
Many lenders prefer two years of accounts, but some will consider applications with just one year’s trading history depending on your overall circumstances.
Absolutely. Many lenders accept limited company directors, although the way they assess your income may vary depending on the lender.
Not usually. If you meet the lender’s criteria, you can often access the same mortgage products and interest rates as employed applicants.
This varies between lenders but commonly includes accounts, SA302s, Tax Year Overviews, bank statements and proof of identity. We’ll explain exactly what’s required before your application is submitted.
Simply get in touch with Keynote Mortgage Solutions to arrange your free initial consultation. We’ll discuss your circumstances, explain your options and help you take the next step towards securing your self employed mortgage.
Still Have Questions? We are Here to help.
Get in touch with keynote mortgage solutions today.
Local Mortgage Advice.
If you’re looking for self employed mortgage advice in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Keynote Mortgage Solutions is here to help. We work with self-employed clients across Newcastle-under-Lyme and the surrounding Staffordshire area, helping sole traders, company directors, freelancers and contractors find mortgage solutions that suit their income and circumstances.
Whether you’ve been self-employed for many years or have recently started your business, we’ll provide clear, professional advice and help you find a lender that’s right for you.