It’s been well publicised that the UK’s Government response to the Global Pandemic has had its controversies, while the furlough scheme has helped many, there has been little help for a large proportion of the Self-Employed who have been forced out of work and what help there has been has not been available to all.
For many years being Self-Employed has been a disadvantage when it comes to how you are assessed for a mortgage, whereas someone in a permanent contract of employment could get a mortgage on day 1 of starting a new job, a self-employed person typically has to demonstrate earnings over a 2- or 3-year period to even be considered for a mortgage. Factor in that it is the net profit figure that you are usually assessed on and there is no doubt it is harder as a Self-Employed person to qualify for a mortgage. That said, pre-Covid when you could demonstrate the required level of earnings over a period of time, being Self-Employed became less of a disadvantage when applying for mortgages and mortgage lenders would offer the same terms to a Self-Employed person as an employed.
That has changed with Covid, not only has being Self-Employed, particularly as a sole trader, meant access to any kind of furlough scheme has been denied, those taking the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme grants, designed to help the self-employed, have since found themselves jumping through hoops to get a mortgage or denied mortgages altogether. For many Self-Employed in need of re-mortgaging to save money and go on to a better rate or continue with plans to move or improve homes once business has improved, this has been a cruel blow.
Getting a good mortgage adviser who is experienced in helping Self-Employed people get a mortgage in a post Covid world will save you a lot of time, stress and potential disappointment. Life has been disappointing enough for the past year for so many, speak to a Mortgage Adviser early, so that you don’t have to go this one alone. So how has Covid changed eligibility for a mortgage if you are Self-Employed? These are typical examples where lenders have tightened their criteria specifically for the Self-Employed.
If you have struggled financially, it is possible that you have had no choice but to borrow against loans or credit cards, this will further make life difficult for you when it comes to applying for a mortgage.
Many Self-Employed people have had to change their work altogether, some have been able to take up paid employment until life returns to normal, others have had to move away from the profession that they know and love and offer a totally different service that fits within the current restrictions.
Helping the Self-Employed to get on the property ladder has been a rewarding part of my role as Director and Mortgage Adviser here at The Money Guardian, at the moment though it has more than its fair share of challenges. That said, in some cases, we can still get good results for Self-Employed clients, the journey can take longer and be more difficult, but with the right set of circumstances and advice and our support, being self-employed does not need to be a barrier to getting a mortgage, even at the moment. We want to be here to support you if you are Self-Employed, whether you are surviving or thriving, whether it is now or in the future, to get a plan in place to help your financial position, move or improve your home and secure a mortgage when the time is right.
If you are Self-Employed and need help with getting a mortgage, please get in touch with one of our Advisers here at The Money Guardian. It is never to early to get good mortgage advice, whether it is putting a recovery plan into place to achieve that goal of moving home or improving your current home in 6 or 12 months, or longer. We are here to support you now and help you to be ready for when life returns to normal and your business can get back on track.
Melanie Eastwood is Director and Mortgage Adviser at The Money Guardian, founding the company in 2017 after a long and successful career in Financial Services. She is passionate about helping people achieving their goals when it comes to owning property or other financial aspirations. An activist at heart, Melanie tries to make a difference in her community where time allows and, in the past, has served as a local councillor, campaigning against cuts to the NHS and defending local green spaces, she has previously been a foster carer and is also the driving force behind an initiative working with local charities and school children planting trees in their town. The Money Guardian won the NatWest Hero Award in 2021 for its service to customers and the community and has featured in The Times as Vouched For Top Rated Mortgage Advisers for 3 consecutive years.