CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) workers can access mortgages. Some lenders treat you like an employee and use gross CIS income; others require full self-employed documentation. The right lender choice can change borrowing power significantly — and if you also have adverse credit, the panel narrows further, so income method and credit tier must be matched together.
- Some lenders treat CIS income like employment income using gross figures
- Gross income (before CIS deductions) may be used — deductions are tax, not expenses
- Other lenders require full self-employed documentation (SA302s and accounts)
- Day rate or contract rate assessment may be possible with contractor specialists
- Consistent work history over 12+ months strengthens applications
- CIS statements (CIS25s) are the key evidence for CIS-friendly lenders
- Adverse credit does not automatically block CIS lending — but fewer lenders handle both
Self-employed mortgages — how we judge income →
The first question is not whether CIS workers can get mortgages — they can. It is which income method the lender will use. Gross CIS treatment often produces a higher figure than net profit after expenses. Applying to a lender that only accepts SA302s when your strength is consistent CIS vouchers is a common reason strong earners get declined.
We also look at continuity: short seasonal gaps are normal in construction; long unexplained gaps are not. Same or similar clients over 12 months helps. If you also have adverse credit, we do not treat that as a separate problem — we match lenders who can read CIS income and still accept the credit profile, rather than forcing a high-street CIS product that auto-declines on credit.
If profits or voucher totals are falling year-on-year, that changes the conversation even with clean credit. With adverse marks as well, we are often more honest about waiting for a stronger period than spraying applications.
| 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 |
Understanding Lender Criteria for Your Situation
Every mortgage lender has unique criteria for assessing applications. What appears as a rejection from one lender could be an approval from another—the key is finding lenders whose policies match your circumstances. This is particularly important when you have non-standard elements in your application.
Lenders assess applications based on multiple factors including credit history, income stability, employment type, deposit size, and the property itself. They apply these criteria differently, with some being more flexible on certain aspects while stricter on others. Understanding these differences is crucial for finding the right lender.
Our criteria database shows you which lenders are most likely to approve applications like yours. Rather than applying blindly and risking credit score damage from rejections, you can target lenders whose policies specifically accommodate your situation. This targeted approach significantly improves your chances of approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
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