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Company Director Mortgages
As a limited company director, your income looks different to employed applicants—but that doesn't mean you should borrow less. The right lender and income calculation can dramatically increase how much you can borrow.
Content reviewed: January 2026
Company Director Mortgages at a Glance
- •Lenders assess salary plus dividends as your base income
- •Some specialist lenders add retained profits to increase borrowing
- •2 years' accounts usually required (1 year possible with experience)
- •Low salary/high dividends is normal for directors—lenders understand this
- •We know which lenders give the best income calculations for directors
Why Director Mortgages Are Different
Company directors typically take a small salary and supplement it with dividends to be tax-efficient. While this makes complete financial sense, it can confuse lenders who expect traditional PAYE income.
What Helps Your Application
- Strong, stable or growing profits
- 2+ years' trading history
- Qualified accountant preparing accounts
- Clean credit history
- Healthy deposit (15%+)
The Right Lender Matters
The same director could be assessed at £60,000 income by one lender and £100,000 by another. That's a potential £180,000 difference in borrowing capacity. We find the lender who calculates your income most favourably.
How Lenders Calculate Director Income
Salary + Dividends (Most Common)
Base calculation used by most lenders
Salary + Dividends + Retained Profits
Specialist lenders add your share of retained profits
Share of Net Profit
Your percentage of company net profit
Gross Dividends
Some lenders use gross rather than net dividends
Director Types We Help
100% ownership with full control
- Full net profit can be assessed
- Retained profits fully accessible
- Simplest income calculation
Shared ownership and dividends
- Your percentage of profits assessed
- Dividend waiver arrangements considered
- Accountant confirmation of profit share
Multiple company directorships
- Income from all companies combined
- Separate accounts for each required
- Most active company prioritised
Director of one company, employed elsewhere
- Both incomes can be combined
- PAYE income straightforward
- Director income needs full documentation
Key Factors Lenders Assess
| Factor | Typical Requirement | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Trading History | 2 years preferred, 1 year possible | Affects lender choice and rates |
| Shareholding | 25%+ to use dividends | Under 25% treated as employed |
| Profit Trend | Stable or increasing preferred | Declining profits limit options |
| Credit History | Clean history ideal | Issues reduce lender options |
| Deposit Size | 5-25% depending on circumstances | Larger deposit = better rates |
| Accountant | Qualified (ACCA, ACA, ICAEW) | Unqualified can limit lenders |
Get Your Director Mortgage Assessment
Find out which lenders will maximise your income calculation. Free, no-obligation review.
Our Process for Directors
Review Your Accounts
We analyse your company accounts, SA302s, and dividend history to understand your true earning capacity and identify the best income calculation method.
Match to Best Lender
We identify lenders who'll assess your income most favourably—whether that's using retained profits, grossing up dividends, or accepting 1 year's accounts.
Prepare Strong Application
We present your case to underwriters in the format they prefer, including accountant references and business context that strengthens your application.
Common Questions: Company Director Mortgages
Frequently Asked Questions
Real Stories: Directors We've Helped
See how we've helped company directors maximise their borrowing capacity:
Retained Profits Unlocked £80k Extra
Director taking low dividends was initially assessed at £55k income. We found a lender who added retained profits, increasing assessed income to £95k.
Read full storyNew Director with 1 Year's Accounts
Director with only 12 months' trading approved after we found a lender who accepted his previous employment experience in the same sector.
Read full storyGet Your Director Mortgage Assessment
Tell us about your company and borrowing needs. We'll identify the lenders who'll calculate your income most favourably and give you realistic borrowing figures.
Get Your Personalised Mortgage Options
Free consultation • No credit search • FCA regulated
Struggled to get approved elsewhere? We specialise in complex cases including CCJs, self-employed income, and declined applications. Over 90% of our clients had concerns about their situation before speaking to us.
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Related Specialist Guides
Company directors often have overlapping needs. Our specialist guides cover every scenario:
Protect Your Business & Mortgage
As a director, your business income funds your mortgage. Key person insurance and income protection ensure continuity if you can't work.
Explore Protection OptionsReady to Discuss Your Situation?
Call us on 03334 559078 for a free, no-obligation discussion about your director mortgage options.