Can You Get a Mortgage with Irregular Income or a Zero-Hour Contract?
If your payslips change every month, or you’re on a zero-hour contract, it might feel like getting a mortgage is out of reach. But we’ll let you in on something we tell our clients all the time — it’s absolutely possible. It just takes the right approach (and the right broker).
At Mortgage Bridge, we work with people in these situations every single day — freelancers, agency staff, casual workers, and everyone in between. The old idea of a “perfect” mortgage applicant doesn’t fit how most people work anymore. And the good news is, there are plenty of lenders who understand that.
Let’s break it all down.
What Does Irregular or Non-Standard Income Actually Mean?
You don’t need to have a 9–5 job with a fixed salary to get a mortgage. You might have what lenders call “non-standard” or “irregular” income if:
- You’re on a zero-hour or agency contract
- You’ve got multiple part-time jobs
- You work freelance or self-employed
- You get paid commission, bonuses, tips or overtime that changes
- Your hours (and pay) vary from month to month
If any of that sounds like you, don’t stress. We help people in these situations all the time — and yes, they get mortgages.
Is It Really Possible to Get a Mortgage When Your Income Isn’t Consistent?
Yes — we’ve seen it happen time and time again. It just takes a bit more prep work and knowing which lenders to approach. Some lenders want to see a “perfect” income history. Others are far more flexible, especially if you can show that, overall, your income is steady enough to manage mortgage repayments.
The trick is presenting your case properly — and that’s exactly what we do at Mortgage Bridge.
What Are Lenders Actually Looking For?
How Do You Prove Income Without Regular Payslips?
If you don’t have the same salary hitting your account every month, that’s fine — but lenders will want to see the bigger picture. Usually, we’ll help you gather:
- Payslips or invoices (ideally 6–12 months’ worth)
- Bank statements showing that income going in
- Tax documents if you’re self-employed
- Your contract or a letter from your employer
- Anything else that proves regular work, even if the amount varies
They’re usually looking for consistency over time — not just one good month.
Will I Need a Bigger Deposit If My Income’s Irregular?
In most cases, yes. If your income’s less predictable, lenders tend to want a bit more of a cushion in the form of a bigger deposit. While some mortgages start from 5%, you’re more likely to be looking at 10–15% if your income is variable.
We’ll be honest — the more deposit you’ve got, the more choice you’ll have.
What About Credit History — Does That Matter?
Definitely. A good credit score always helps, especially when your income is a bit less straightforward. But if you’ve had blips in the past, that’s not a deal-breaker — we’re specialists in helping people with bad credit and complex income. It just means we’ll be even more careful in matching you to the right lender.
Can You Get a Mortgage If You’re on a Zero-Hour Contract?
Yes, you can — and we’ve helped loads of clients in exactly that position.
What Makes a Strong Zero-Hour Mortgage Application?
Here’s what helps:
- You’ve been with the same employer for a while (ideally a year or more)
- Your hours might vary, but you’ve been earning steadily
- You can show other income streams if you’ve got them (like a second job or benefits)
- You’ve got a letter or contract from your employer backing up your position
Zero-hour contracts can raise questions for some lenders, but we know which ones are more understanding — and how to present your application clearly.
Why Use a Broker If You’ve Got Irregular Income?
Honestly? Because it makes everything easier.
When you go straight to a lender, they’re often running everything through a rigid checklist — and if your income doesn’t fit neatly into that, your application can get declined quickly.
At Mortgage Bridge, we already know which lenders work well with irregular or non-standard income, so we don’t waste your time. We’ll also help package your paperwork properly so that your income makes sense to an underwriter.
What Can You Do to Strengthen Your Application?
What Documents Should You Have Ready?
Here’s a basic checklist:
- Bank statements (6–12 months)
- Payslips, invoices, or proof of income
- Tax returns (especially if you’re self-employed)
- A credit report (you can get this for free)
- Employment contract or letter, if you’re on a zero-hour deal
Being prepared helps the whole process go smoother and shows you’re serious.
How Should You Budget If Your Income Isn’t Fixed?
Don’t budget based on your best months. Budget based on your worst. That’s what lenders often do — they’ll either average your income over a year or look at the lowest months to be cautious.
We’ll help you work out a realistic borrowing figure based on your actual earnings and outgoings.
Can Cutting Spending Make a Difference?
Absolutely. Lenders look closely at how much is going out of your account each month. If you can trim back any extras — even just for a few months — it’ll improve how your affordability looks on paper.
Should You Pay Off Debts First?
If you can, yes. Clearing or reducing credit card balances and overdrafts can really help. It lowers your monthly commitments and boosts your affordability score.
What Kind of Mortgages Can You Get with Irregular Income?
You’ve got more choice than you might think, including:
- Fixed-rate mortgages – steady repayments, good for budgeting
- Variable-rate mortgages – these change over time, so you’ll need flexibility
- Joint mortgages – useful if someone else on the application has regular income
- Specialist mortgages – designed for freelance, casual, or complex income cases
Some lenders also offer flexible or offset mortgages, which can work well if your income goes up and down.
What If You’ve Been Declined Before?
It happens. Especially if you’ve gone directly to a lender that doesn’t handle complex income well. But one “no” doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
We’ll take a fresh look, work out what went wrong, and reapply with a lender that’s a better fit. And don’t worry — we’ll never put you forward if we don’t think you’ve got a solid chance.
Quickfire FAQs – Mortgages with Irregular Income
Can agency workers get a mortgage?
Yes — if you’ve been working consistently, most lenders are open to it.
What documents do I need for a mortgage with variable income?
Bank statements, payslips or invoices, tax docs, credit report, and proof of employment.
Can I get a mortgage as a part-time worker?
Definitely. Especially if you’ve got other income or a joint applicant.
Will lenders accept freelance income?
Yes — if you can show 12 months or more of consistent income (2 years is ideal), it’s usually no problem.
So, What’s the Best Way to Get a Mortgage Without a Fixed Salary?
Get organised. Be realistic with your budget. And speak to a broker who understands your situation.
At Mortgage Bridge, we’re here to help you get mortgage-ready — even if your income doesn’t fit the traditional mould. Whether you’re freelancing, working zero-hours, juggling multiple jobs, or just trying to make it all add up, we’ll help you make sense of it and find the lender that gets it.
Ready to chat? Reach out for a free consultation — no pressure, just helpful advice.