Are you a limited company director looking to get a mortgage or remortgage? The good news is that there are many specialist and mainstream lenders willing to offer company director mortgages. The bad news is that the process is more complex, and lenders have more stringent criteria and require documented proof of income.
To boost your chances of getting a company director mortgage, you can look to improve your credit score, reduce debt, demonstrate a steady trading performance and work with a specialist mortgage broker.
Read on for The Mortgage Pod’s helpful guide about how to boost your chances of getting a mortgage as a limited company owner.
For personalised advice, please get in touch with our team of specialist mortgage brokers.
What are the lender’s considerations when limited company directors apply for a mortgage?
When applying for a mortgage, company directors should be aware of how mortgage lenders scrutinise income, financial commitments, deposit amount, loan-to-value ratio and credit history. They also assess the financial health of the business by looking at the company accounts, structure and trading history.
Company directors may also be personally assessed based on the type of mortgage sought. Factors like interest rates, additional income sources, and property type can also impact the lender’s decision.
Each lender has distinct criteria, so working with a mortgage advisor like The Mortgage Pod can help identify which lenders are likely to approve your mortgage based on your specific financial situation and needs.
Finances
Like any mortgage application, there will be a detailed assessment of your finances. Different mortgage companies consider different elements of income in their calculations, including the company director’s salary, dividends and shares of the company’s net profits. It’s also possible to secure a mortgage using your company’s retained profits.
Learn more about this in our guide on how to prove limited company director income.
Lenders will also assess financial commitments such as loans, hire purchase agreements, credit card balances and financial dependents. This will help to complete the affordability assessment. You can check your credit score here.
When it comes to how much company directors can borrow, it will depend on the level of deposit and the loan-to-value ratio.
Company trading history
While it is possible to secure a mortgage with only one year of company accounts from a specialist lender, most lenders prefer to see a trading history of two or three years. This allows them to calculate an income average. Additionally, recent changes to the company’s structure, such as alterations in company directors, can also affect how they view the stability of the company.
Company income levels
Many lenders also ask to see the company’s bank statements from the last three to six months. This helps them make an assessment of your current trading activity and the company’s income levels. Any declared annual income figures must be substantiated, and the sustainability of your income should be demonstrated through recent income credits.
How much can company directors borrow?
Providing you have evidence of the good financial health of your company, proof of your income stream and meet the lender’s other criteria, it’s possible for a company director to achieve an income multiple is 4.5 times annual income. For company director mortgages, the maximum loan-to-value is usually 90%.
Whether you’ve just had an offer accepted on a property and you’re ready to go, or you’re simply wondering how much you need to save for a deposit, it’s never too soon to reach out.
Our top 6 tips on how to boost your chances of getting a mortgage as a limited company director
1. Be prepared
Gathering the documentation and evidence of income is crucial. As a company director, you will likely be required to provide:
- Finalised accounts – two to three years’ certified company accounts and/or self-assessment tax statements (SA302s)
- Tax year overviews
- Three to six months of personal and business bank statements.
Having these prepared in good time will ensure the mortgage application process goes more smoothly.
2. Well-maintained financial records
Maintaining organised financial records can significantly enhance the likelihood of your mortgage application being approved. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about proving you are in control of your finances. Organised record-keeping can also prove invaluable if additional information is requested to support your application.
3. Improve your credit score
Obtaining your personal credit reports is the first step, which you can do here. Your mortgage broker can then help assess your report, pinpointing any inaccuracies or outdated data for removal.
4. Reduce your debt
As with any mortgage application, income and debt play a significant role in affordability calculations. Reducing or clearing personal debts, such as credit card balances, can boost your borrowing capacity. However, as this isn’t always the case, consider professional mortgage advice so you can determine whether it’s best to reduce your debt now and by how much.
5. Demonstrate a steady business performance
Lenders will certainly seek demonstrations of consistency and the longevity of a company’s income. They will want to see a history of steady income to gain insight into the potential outlook for future income. Ultimately, their goal is to ensure that the loan they offer you, based on your previous trading history, is sustainable and aligns with the company’s ambitions and future projections.
6. Work with a specialist mortgage broker
Finding the best and most suitable mortgages for company directors can pose a challenge. Mortgage brokers like The Mortgage Pod have access to many options from high-street lenders and, if necessary, specialist lenders.
Our industry knowledge and experience enable us to approach the right lenders to secure a competitive deal. For instance, there are specialist lenders that will consider your company’s net profit before any corporation tax deductions to increase the maximum loan value and, therefore, your purchasing power.
Get in touch with the Mortgage Pod, experts in mortgages for limited company directors
Our friendly team here at The Mortgage Pod specialise in securing mortgages and remortgages for limited company directors. We know how hard small business owners work, and so we’re dedicated to helping them find the right lender and the right deal.
We have access to a large number of mortgage providers from across the whole mortgage market, including specialist and high-street lenders. We can help you understand each lender’s eligibility criteria and guide you towards the right one for the best chance of success.
Oh, and we’ll take care of the entire mortgage application process to save you precious time.
Key points to take away
As a company director, there are several ways you can maximise your chances of mortgage approval, such as the timely preparation of documents, maintaining good financial records, checking your credit file, minimising debt and seeking expertise from a professional and experienced mortgage broker.
Your broker can ensure you approach the right lender who understands self-employed mortgage applications and, in particular, how limited company directors are remunerated.
