CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) workers can access mortgages, with some lenders treating you like an employee (using gross income) and others requiring full self-employed documentation. The right lender choice can dramatically increase your borrowing potential.
- Some lenders treat CIS income like employment income
- Gross income (before CIS deductions) may be used
- Other lenders require full self-employed documentation
- Day rate or contract rate assessment may be possible
- Consistent work history strengthens applications
- CIS statements (CIS25) are key documents
| 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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