Complex Income Mortgages
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Many lenders will consider applicants with complex income, including self-employed earnings, salary and dividends, bonuses, commission, contractor income, rental income and investment income.
The challenge isn't whether a mortgage is possible—it's finding lenders that understand how to assess your income correctly.
At MFB (Mortgage Finance Brokers), we help borrowers with complex financial situations secure mortgages by matching them with lenders that take a flexible approach to affordability.
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What is a complex income mortgage?
A complex income mortgage is not a separate type of mortgage. The term describes an application involving income that does not fit a straightforward permanent salary, or where several income sources need to be considered together.
This may include applicants receiving income from contracts, commission, bonuses, dividends, business profits, rental properties, investments or more than one job.
Different lenders apply different rules to these income sources. The right lender will depend not only on how much you earn, but also on how the income is paid, how long you have received it and the evidence available.
Find Guidance for Your Income Type
Contractor Mortgages
Some lenders have specific criteria for contractors and may assess an application using the current contract, working history or contract rate.
Learn about contractor mortgages
Commission and Bonus Mortgages
Regular commission, bonuses and overtime may be included in mortgage affordability, but the proportion accepted and evidence required differ between lenders.
Learn about commission and bonus mortgages
Mortgages for Limited Company Directors
Company directors may be assessed using salary and dividends, while certain lenders can take a broader view of the company’s financial performance.
Learn about mortgages for limited company directors
Mortgages for Self-Employed Applicants
Sole traders, partners and business owners are normally assessed using evidence of their earnings and trading history. The calculation depends partly on the applicant’s business structure.
Can Mortgage Lenders Combine Different Income Sources?
Some lenders can combine more than one sustainable source of income when calculating mortgage affordability.
For example, an applicant might receive:
- A basic salary and regular commission
- Salary and dividend income
- Employed and self-employed income
- Earnings from more than one job
- Business income alongside rental or investment income
Not every lender accepts every source, and the same income could produce different affordability results with different lenders. The important question is how much of each income source a lender is prepared to use.
What Do Lenders Look for When Assessing Complex Income?
Although lender criteria differ, the assessment will usually consider three things:
Evidence
The lender will need documents showing where the income comes from and how much has been received.
Consistency
Regular or established income may be easier to include than income that is new, irregular or difficult to predict.
Sustainability
A lender will consider whether the income is reasonably likely to continue and whether the proposed mortgage remains affordable.
Your employment status, trading history, credit profile, existing commitments, deposit and requested mortgage term will also affect the application.
What Documents Might Be Required?
The documents required depend on the income being used. They may include:
- Payslips and P60s
- Employment or contractor agreements
- Commission or bonus statements
- SA302s and tax year overviews
- Business or company accounts
- Dividend vouchers
- Personal and business bank statements
- Evidence of rental, pension or investment income
A broker can identify the relevant documents before an application is submitted, avoiding unnecessary requests and delays.
While many lenders are happy to consider complex income, they don't all calculate affordability in the same way. One lender may only use a portion of bonus or commission income, while another may consider 100% if it can be evidenced over a sufficient period. Similarly, some lenders assess directors on salary and dividends alone, while others may also consider retained profits.
The key to securing a mortgage with complex income is finding a lender whose criteria align with your circumstances. That's where specialist mortgage advice can make a significant difference, helping ensure your income is assessed accurately and your borrowing potential is fully understood.
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Types Of Income Lenders May Accept
Many mortgage lenders are willing to consider a wide range of income types, not just a basic employed salary. If your income comes from multiple sources, a specialist lender may be able to combine them when assessing affordability.
Common income sources accepted by lenders include:
- Employed salary and wages
- Self-employed income
- Limited company salary and dividends
- Contractor and freelance income
- Commission and bonus payments
- Overtime and shift allowances
- Rental income from investment properties
- Pension income
- Investment and dividend income
- Maintenance or other regular supplementary income
Each lender has its own approach to assessing complex income. Some may use 100% of certain income streams, while others apply restrictions or require a longer track record. Understanding which lenders are most suited to your circumstances can make a significant difference to both your mortgage eligibility and how much you may be able to borrow.
How MFB Helps with Complex Income Applications
The main challenge with complex income is identifying which lender will recognise the greatest appropriate proportion of your earnings.
MFB can review your complete income position before recommending a lender. This can help establish:
- Which income sources may be accepted
- How different lenders are likely to calculate affordability
- What evidence will be needed
- Whether your application requires specialist criteria
- How to present the application clearly to the lender
This assessment is especially useful when your income comes from several sources or has recently changed.
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Frequently asked questions…
Can I get a mortgage with multiple income streams?
What documents do I need for a complex income mortgage?
Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed and employed?
Which lender is best for complex income mortgages?
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