Getting a mortgage as a contractor shouldn’t be harder, yet many lenders still struggle to understand your income. Whether you’re working inside or outside IR35, paid via an umbrella company, or earning in a different currency, you may have already been told “no” by a high-street lender.
At Mortgage Knight, we say yes. We specialise in contractor-friendly mortgages, giving you access to lenders who assess your real earning power, not just what’s on a payslip or tax return.
We arrange mortgages for:
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, remortgaging, or purchasing through a limited company, we’re here to guide you through.
Unlike standard PAYE lending, contractor mortgages use your contract income as the basis for affordability, meaning you don’t always need years of accounts.
Many lenders will:
We match you with lenders who get how you’re paid, and structure the application to reflect your true income.
Day rate: £450
Weekly equivalent: £2,250
Annual assumed income (46 weeks): £103,500
Mortgage affordability would be based on this figure with qualifying lenders.
Status: David had a 6-month rolling contract, outside IR35, and was paid via his limited company.
Challenge: High street banks treated him as self-employed and wanted 2 years of accounts.
Solution: We used day rate lending criteria and placed him with a contractor-friendly lender.
Outcome: David bought his £480,000 home with a 10% deposit and a 5-year fixed rate.
Status:Asha worked in private healthcare on a fixed-term contract but was paid through an umbrella
Challenge: Her payslips looked like standard PAYE, but her income fluctuated.
Solution: We structured her affordability using her gross contract value, not net payslip earnings.
Outcome: Asha secured a £300,000 mortgage and avoided being penalised for her setup.
Status: Sanjay was paid in USD by a global firm and working on a UK project.
Challenge: His currency and tax setup confused traditional lenders.
Solution: We worked with a lender who accepts overseas currency income for UK-based contractors.
Outcome: Sanjay bought a family home in Aberdeen with a 75% LTV mortgage.
You’ve got the contract. Let’s turn it into the keys to your next home. Whether you’re working in the UK or overseas, inside or outside IR35, Mortgage Knight can help you unlock your full borrowing potential.
Speak to a specialist adviser today and get started with contractor-friendly mortgage advice that works for you.
A: Yes. Some lenders accept just one contract in place, especially if you have previous industry experience or history in a similar role.
A: Many lenders use day rate x 5 days x 46–48 weeks or your gross contract value for affordability. We’ll guide you to the best calculation.
A: Yes. We work with lenders who accommodate both inside and outside IR35 contractors, and even umbrella pay structures.
A: That’s fine. We can average your income over the last 3–12 months or use your current contract depending on the lende
A: No, not necessarily. Some contractor lenders require just your contract and ID—no full trading history needed.
