Question 1

Am I employed or self-employed as a CIS worker?

Accepted Answer

For tax purposes, you're self-employed, but for mortgages some lenders treat you as employed. This is excellent news as employed treatment typically allows higher borrowing using gross income.

Question 2

What documents do CIS workers need for a mortgage?

Accepted Answer

CIS-friendly lenders typically want 6-12 months of CIS statements/vouchers (CIS25s) and bank statements. Less CIS-friendly lenders require full self-employed documentation including SA302s and tax calculations.

Question 3

Can I use my gross income before CIS tax deductions?

Accepted Answer

With the right lender, yes. Some lenders recognise that CIS deductions are tax payments (not expenses) and use your gross income for affordability. This significantly increases borrowing potential.

Question 4

How much can CIS workers borrow?

Accepted Answer

With lenders using gross income, CIS workers can borrow 4.5-5x their annual gross CIS income. This is often much higher than self-employed treatment, which uses net profit after expenses and tax.

Question 5

Do gaps between contracts affect my mortgage application?

Accepted Answer

Short gaps (a few weeks) are typically fine for seasonal work patterns. Extended gaps may need explanation. Showing consistent work over 12+ months with the same or similar clients helps.

Lender Type	Accepts	Notes
High Street - Basic	Self-employed treatment	2 years SA302s required
High Street - CIS Friendly	Employed treatment	12 months CIS statements
Building Societies	Varies by society	Some excellent CIS policies
Specialist Lenders	Gross CIS income	6-12 months history
Contractor Specialists	Day/contract rate	Even higher borrowing possible

CIS Worker Mortgage Lenders

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Expert Help With Your Application?

What Our Clients Say