How to Get a Mortgage as a Doctor, Nurse, or Locum Medical Professional

Medical professionals often face one of two frustrations when applying for a mortgage:

“My income’s complex.”

“My lender doesn’t understand my contract.”

Whether you’re a doctor on rotation, a nurse with shift allowances, or a locum earning variable income, specialist lenders do exist who understand how the NHS and healthcare pay systems work.

At Mortgage Knight, we work daily with medical professionals — helping you get approved for competitive rates without unnecessary stress.

How Lenders View Medical Professionals

Lenders generally love medical borrowers — but they don’t always understand how you’re paid.

If your income includes overtime, shift pay, or locum work, the key is showing consistency.

Lenders usually look at:

Basic salary (NHS or private)
Additional hours / enhancements
Locum income (averaged over 3–12 months)
Employment type (PAYE, self-employed, or umbrella)

Mortgage Knight helps present this information clearly so you’re assessed fairly — not penalised for complex pay.

Mortgages for NHS and Hospital Doctors

Doctors often move through training rotations, temporary contracts, or split shifts — which can confuse underwriters.

However, some lenders take a forward-looking view of your career and contract stability.

Key advantages:

Junior doctors can use offer letters for upcoming roles.
Consultants and GPs can include private and NHS earnings together.
Lenders like Clydesdale, NatWest, and Kensington specialise in medical lending.

If you’re due to move from training to a permanent post soon, you don’t have to wait to apply — we can use your new contract income right away.

Mortgages for Nurses and Midwives

Nurses often receive varying pay due to shift enhancements and overtime.

Many lenders (including Halifax, Nationwide, and Accord) now average your payslips over the last 3–6 months to calculate affordability — rather than ignoring variable pay.

Overtime and weekend enhancements often count.

Temporary or agency nurses can use average income from recent months.

Mortgage Knight ensures your full income picture — not just your basic rate — is represented in the application.

Locum and Agency Medical Workers

Locums face unique challenges because of fluctuating hours or contracts.

The good news? There are lenders who specialise in locum income.

They may assess:

Average income over the past 3–12 months
Evidence of consistent NHS or agency bookings
Contract renewals or ongoing demand in your field

Some lenders also accept multiple income streams (NHS + agency + private).

Mortgage Knight has extensive experience matching locums to lenders who view their work pattern positively.

Medical Contractors and Self-Employed Professionals

If you’re a private GP, dentist, or consultant, lenders can assess your:

SA302s or tax calculations
Company accounts (if limited)
Gross contract income (if operating as a medical contractor)

Even if you’ve only been self-employed for 12 months, certain lenders — such as Clydesdale, Kensington, and Metro Bank — can still help.

Why Use a Broker for Medical Mortgages

Your career is demanding — the last thing you need is lender confusion over payslips or contracts.

At Mortgage Knight, we:

Work with over 90 UK lenders
Understand NHS, agency, and self-employed structures
Present your income in the best light for underwriting

We’ll handle the full process, so you can focus on your patients while we secure your mortgage.

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Dr. James – Junior Doctor on Rotation

James was moving hospitals every 6 months. Mortgage Knight used his NHS offer letter and previous pay history to secure a mortgage with Clydesdale — before his new post even began.

Case Study 2: Nurse Claire – Variable Income

Claire’s payslips fluctuated with overtime. We averaged her last 6 months and placed her with Halifax, who accepted her full earning pattern and offered a 5-year fix.

Case Study 3: Dr. Priya – Self-Employed GP

Priya had only 18 months of accounts as a new GP partner. We found a specialist lender who used her latest SA302 and current contract, securing approval within 10 days.