July 22nd, 2025
If you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or working through your own limited company, securing a mortgage can feel like an uphill climb. The reality is that some lenders simply understand your situation better than others – and in 2025, several mainstream and specialist providers are making big strides to support professionals just like you. Here’s our latest roundup of the best lenders for self-employed mortgages in the UK in 2025:
Top Lenders & Their Strengths
- Nationwide is flexible with limited-company income and day-rate contracts—even with just one year of accounts. (Source: Nationwide contractor criteria)
- Barclays offers contract-based underwriting and recently introduced mortgage-boost options for first-time buyers. (Source: Barclays mortgage boost)
- HSBC makes quick decisions for existing clients and supports contractor income structures.
- Skipton Building Society accepts rental payment history under their “Track Record” criteria—a bonus if you’ve been renting recently.
Why They’re Contractor-Friendly
Many of these lenders go beyond traditional payslips and P60s. Instead, they assess income from:
- Day-rate contracts (e.g., £400/day x 5 days x 46 weeks)
- Retained clients or recurring revenue
- Dividends and salary combinations from limited companies
- Just 1 year of trading history in some cases
This approach works far better for the reality of contracting and self-employment – especially if your income is structured differently from the norm.
What to Watch Out For
Even with contractor-friendly lenders, be sure to:
- Compare interest rates and product fees
- Understand minimum income or contract length requirements
- Keep your credit profile clean
- Avoid overestimating your borrowing potential
It’s also worth noting that some lenders will have sector-specific requirements, so an IT contractor may be treated differently than a creative freelancer or construction specialist.
Next Steps
As a contractor or freelancer, a specialist mortgage broker can be the difference between rejection and approval. At CMME, we’ve spent over 15 years helping self-employed professionals get mortgages with lenders who understand their worth.
We’ll match you to the most suitable lender, help prepare your paperwork, and support your application every step of the way.