Self-employed mortgage brokers
How to find and compare mortgage brokers who work with self-employed and contractor clients, using each firm's FCA status and the areas it covers.
Reviewed by David Sampson, Founder & Director · Created 26 Oct 26
Self-employed mortgage brokers
| # | Broker | Verified | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 5.0 (200) | ||
2 | 5.0 (171) | ||
3 | 5.0 (146) | ||
4 | 5.0 (41) | ||
5 | 5.0 (10) | ||
6 | 5.0 (5) | ||
7 | 5.0 (4) | ||
8 | 5.0 (2) | ||
9 | 5.0 (1) | ||
10 | 5.0 (1) |
What a self-employed mortgage broker does
A mortgage broker for self-employed borrowers is a firm that places cases where income is proven from accounts, tax calculations or contracts instead of payslips. Lenders read sole trader, director and contractor income in different ways, as the guide to self-employed mortgages explains.
Every firm with a profile is registered with the FCA. Each profile shows the firm's FCA status, the towns and regions it covers, how it is paid and the types of case it describes, so firms can be compared on those facts before a borrower makes contact. Useful questions to put to any firm include how often it places self-employed cases, which forms of income evidence it expects to see and whether it charges a fee, and if so, at which stage of the application that fee becomes payable. Firms near a borrower can be found by searching the broker directory by town or region.
Brokers who handle self-employed cases regularly tend to know which lenders accept retained profit, an annualised day rate or a single year of accounts, and which ask for an accountant's reference or a longer trading record. Many also ask whether income has risen or fallen, how long contracts have run and whether there have been gaps between them, because those details change which lenders will consider a case and what evidence they want to see from the borrower and their accountant. Day-rate, IR35, umbrella and CIS cases are covered in more depth on the page about mortgages for contractors.
Frequently asked questions
How much could a self-employed borrower borrow?
It depends on the income figure the lender accepts and its affordability checks. Deposit, regular outgoings and credit history all affect the final figure as well.
What does a self-employed mortgage broker do?
A self-employed mortgage broker matches cases where income is proven from accounts, tax calculations or contracts to lenders whose criteria accept that evidence, then manages the application.
Do contractor mortgage brokers charge fees?
Some brokers charge a fee and some are paid only by lender commission. Each firm sets its own fee, which must be disclosed before an application goes ahead.
How should a borrower compare self-employed mortgage brokers?
Useful points to compare are FCA status, whether the firm says it handles self-employed or contractor cases, how it is paid and the areas it covers. Directory profiles show these facts for each firm.
Can any broker arrange a self-employed mortgage?
Most whole-of-market brokers can place self-employed cases. Firms that handle them often tend to know which lenders read retained profit, day rates or one year of accounts.
What documents does a self-employed mortgage broker usually ask for?
Most ask for recent tax calculations and tax year overviews from HMRC, or accounts prepared by an accountant. Contractors are often asked for current and previous contracts, and limited company directors for company accounts as well.
Resources
Important: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial advice.Always verify details directly and seek independent advice before making financial decisions.