If you’re a contractor working inside IR35, you’re likely paid through an umbrella company or PAYE-style setup, making your income look like that of a traditional employee. But when it comes to getting a mortgage, many lenders still don’t know how to assess your real earning potential.
At Mortgage Knight, we specialise in helping inside IR35 contractors secure mortgages based on your full contract income, not just basic payslips. Whether you’re buying, remortgaging or investing, we make your income work harder for you.
We support:
Many traditional lenders:
The result? You may be offered less than you’re actually able to afford.
We work with lenders who:
We structure your case properly, so you can borrow more with less hassle.
Daily rate: £400
Assumed annual income: £400 × 5 days × 46 weeks = £92,000
Instead of only assessing a £55,000 umbrella payslip, lenders using this method would base your mortgage on £92,000—a huge difference in affordability.
Status: James worked on a 6-month rolling contract inside IR35, earning £500/day via umbrella.
Challenge: High street banks offered a mortgage based on £35,000 basic income.
Solution: We used a contractor-friendly lender who assessed his full gross income.
Outcome: James secured a £400,000 mortgage with just a few payslips and his current contract.
Status: Tanya worked via an umbrella on a shift-based NHS contract, with fluctuating pay.
Challenge: Her income looked inconsistent and hard to verify.
Solution: We averaged her last 12 weeks of payslips and used a lender who accepted
umbrella : income stability over time.
Outcome: Tanya bought her first home with a 5% deposit on a competitive fixed-rate deal.
Status: Rishi was on a 9-month PAYE contract with no guarantee of renewal, earning £70k pro-rata.
Challenge: Lenders wouldn’t accept fixed-term income without a permanent role lined up.
Solution: We secured a mortgage based on his contract and prior role continuity, using a lender that supports contractors.
Outcome: Rishi bought a £325,000 flat in London on a 90% LTV mortgage.
You work hard. Your mortgage shouldn’t be harder. With the right advice and the right lender, getting a mortgage inside IR35 is completely possible.
Speak to a Mortgage Knight adviser today, and we’ll help you secure the mortgage you deserve—quickly and confidently.
A: Yes. We work with lenders who understand umbrella pay and can assess you based on gross contract value, not just basic PAYE.
A: Usually:
We’ll guide you through exactly what’s required.
A: Yes, especially if you have previous experience in the same role or industry. Some lenders only require 3 months of work history.
A: That’s common with umbrella contractors. We’ll either average recent payslips or use your contract value, depending on what works best.
A: Not necessarily. With the right lender, rates can be just as competitive as standard mortgages.
