Demonstrating trading history

In some cases, you may be able to satisfy mortgage lenders that you will have a reliable income. A good example of this is if you have been contracting and decide to become self-employed, taking a lot of your clients with you. If you can show a history of your relationships with your clients and that you have work coming in from them now and projecting into the future, some lenders may be willing to offer you a mortgage.

If you have no trading history

If you have no relevant trading history – for example if you have left paid employment to set up your own business either as a sole trader or limited company – lenders will want to see at least one year of company accounts. This obviously means waiting until you can apply for a mortgage – but using this time to make your business as successful as possible will put you in the strongest position when you do come to apply for a mortgage in a few months.