Can I Get a Mortgage on a Zero-Hours Contract UK?

Getting a mortgage on a zero-hours contract is possible, but requires more preparation than traditional employment.

Can You Get a Mortgage?

The Short Answer

Factor	Reality
Possible?	Yes, definitely
Harder?	Yes, more hoops
Lenders available	Many, with right criteria
Broker helps	Significantly

What Lenders Want to See

Requirement	Typical
Time in role	12-24 months minimum
Income history	12-24 months evidence
Regular work	Consistent hours
Credit score	Good to excellent
Deposit	10-15%+

How Lenders Assess Income

Calculating Your Income

Method	Description
12-month average	Total earned ÷ 12
Excluding extremes	May ignore highest/lowest
Year-on-year	Some compare 2 years
Contracted minimum	If applicable

Example Calculation

Month	Earnings
January	£1,800
February	£2,200
March	£1,900
April	£2,100
May	£2,400
June	£1,700
July	£2,300
August	£2,000
September	£2,200
October	£1,800
November	£2,100
December	£2,500
Total	£25,000
Average	£2,083/month

Borrowing Potential

Average Income	At 4x	At 4.5x
£20,000	£80,000	£90,000
£25,000	£100,000	£112,500
£30,000	£120,000	£135,000
£35,000	£140,000	£157,500

Documentation Needed

Essential Documents

Document	Purpose
12-24 months bank statements	Prove income patterns
Employer reference	Confirm ongoing work
P60	Annual earnings
Payslips (if available)	Recent earnings
Contract	Show terms

Employer Reference

Should Confirm	Why Important
Length of employment	Shows stability
Ongoing work expected	Future income likely
Average hours	Regular work pattern
No end date	Continuous employment

What Makes Strong Application

Factor	Impact
Same employer 2+ years	High positive
Rising income trend	Positive
Regular hour patterns	Positive
Same industry long-term	Positive
Multiple income streams	Mixed - can help

Which Lenders Accept Zero-Hours?

High Street Banks

Lender	Typical Requirement
Halifax	12 months minimum
Nationwide	12 months, consistent
Santander	Case by case
NatWest	12 months employed
Barclays	6-12 months

Building Societies

Lender	Approach
Yorkshire BS	Often flexible
Coventry BS	Consider applications
Leeds BS	Manual underwriting
Skipton BS	Assess individually

Specialist Lenders

Lender	Specialism
Kensington	Complex income
Pepper Money	Non-standard
Together	Flexible criteria
Bluestone	Specialist

Tips to Improve Chances

Before Applying

Action	Benefit
Wait for 12+ months	Meet minimum criteria
Save larger deposit	Opens more lenders
Build credit score	Demonstrates reliability
Keep bank statements tidy	Easy to evidence
Stay with employer	Consistency matters

Deposit Impact

Deposit Size	Options
5%	Very limited
10%	Some options
15%	Good range
20%+	Best rates available

Credit Score

Action	Effect
Electoral roll	Register
On-time payments	Essential
Low credit utilisation	Under 25%
No applications	Before mortgage

Using a Mortgage Broker

Why They Help

Reason	Benefit
Whole market access	See all options
Know criteria	Which lenders accept ZHC
Present case well	Package application
Save time	No wasted applications
Often free	Lender pays

Questions to Ask Broker

Question	Why Ask
Which lenders accept ZHC?	Know your options
What income will they use?	Understand calculation
Any fees?	Know costs
How long to decision?	Set expectations

Joint Applications

Benefits of Joint Mortgage

Advantage	Details
Combined income	Higher borrowing
Stronger application	If partner employed
More options	Wider lender choice

If Partner Employed

Scenario	Outcome
Partner on salary	Their income certain
Your ZHC income	Added on top
Total borrowing	Higher

Example

Applicant	Income	Used
Partner (employed)	£35,000	Full
You (ZHC average)	£25,000	Full or partial
Combined	£60,000	Potentially
Borrowing (4.5x)	£270,000	Possible

Alternatives If Rejected

Other Options

Option	Details
Guarantor mortgage	Parent/family backs you
Shared Ownership	Buy partial share
Wait and reapply	Build history
Different lender	Try specialist

Guarantor Mortgages

How It Works	Details
Family member	Guarantees payments
Their assets	May be secured
Helps approval	Reduces lender risk
You still own	Property in your name

Improving Position

Over 6-12 Months	Action
Build savings	Larger deposit
Credit score	Improve
Employment record	Lengthens
Income stability	Demonstrate

What to Expect

Application Process

Stage	Zero-Hours Difference
Initial enquiry	Explain employment type
Evidence gathering	More documents needed
Underwriting	Manual review likely
Valuation	Same as normal
Completion	Same as normal

Timeline

Stage	Typical Time
Agreement in Principle	1-7 days
Full application	2-4 weeks
Offer	4-8 weeks
Completion	8-12 weeks

Summary

Key Point	Details
Possible	Yes, with right preparation
Main requirements	12+ months, consistent income
Best approach	Use broker
Deposit helps	15%+ opens options
Documentation	Keep excellent records

Preparation Checklist	Status
12+ months in role	□
Bank statements ready	□
Credit score checked	□
Deposit saved (15%+)	□
Broker contacted	□