Navigating Self-Employed Mortgages for High Net Worth Clients in 2025
In the UK, almost five million people are currently self-employed, a number that continues to grow year on year. With this rise, more entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners are exploring self-employed mortgages to fund property acquisitions. For high net worth individuals in particular, this can be an intricate process – but with the right guidance, it’s far from impossible.
Securing property finance as a self-employed borrower is not as straightforward as it once was. However, for HNW clients, expats, and foreign nationals, tailored mortgage solutions remain achievable through specialist lenders and expert intermediaries. At Articus Finance, we advise and design bespoke property finance strategies that account for complex income structures, larger loan sizes, and non-standard lending criteria.
Why Is It Difficult to Arrange Self-Employed Mortgages?
In the past, self-employed clients could access mortgages more readily by self-certifying their income. Following the global financial crisis, regulation tightened significantly, and lenders now apply stringent affordability checks. For most applicants, pay slips provide simple clarity. For the self-employed, however, there are complications.
High net worth individuals often structure businesses to maximise efficiency, leaving profits within the company or drawing income through dividends, retained earnings, or multiple revenue channels. Conventional lenders, using rigid affordability models, can find it difficult to assess true financial strength in these scenarios. As a result, HNW borrowers seeking loans above £1 million, or looking for interest-only mortgages or high LTV solutions, may face additional scrutiny and hurdles.
The challenges increase further for self-employed applicants who are also expats or foreign nationals. While financially strong, these clients often encounter complexity when their income is derived internationally or when they have shorter trading histories. Without specialist representation, many find mainstream options restrictive or unsuitable.
Complex Income Structures Demand Bespoke Solutions
The central difficulty lies in proving affordability. A self-employed applicant might have substantial assets and strong business performance but show relatively modest personal drawings. For example, those with multiple income streams or unconventional profit distribution methods might not fit standard tick-box criteria – even when their true financial position is robust.
For this reason, experienced brokers work directly with lenders who look beyond annual earnings on paper. They can evaluate overall wealth, asset portfolios, and established track records to build a more accurate picture. This specialist approach often delivers significantly more favourable results than traditional mortgage assessments.
The Solution: Expert Intermediaries and Niche Lenders
The key for HNW self-employed borrowers is partnering with private banks and niche lenders who can take a flexible, case-by-case approach. These lenders are comfortable handling unique situations, such as retained profits within companies or international revenue streams. They also offer access to sophisticated products including long-term high LTV mortgages, interest-only structures, or facilities exceeding £5 million where appropriate.
Such lenders are not typically available through mainstream retail channels. Working with a broker like Articus Finance becomes essential, as our team hold direct relationships with decision makers in private banks and specialist institutions. For instance, in our case studies, clients can see how we have successfully delivered finance for foreign nationals, complex earners, and those needing exclusive interest-only terms.
Regulatory standards introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continue to oversee responsible lending practices, ensuring that mortgage finance in this sector is sustainable. At the same time, a bespoke approach from an expert intermediary helps clients align with these expectations while still accessing the most competitive options.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, self-employment is more common than ever, and with it comes an increasing demand for self-employed mortgages. While high-value loans and complex criteria can be difficult to navigate directly, specialist advice from experienced brokers opens doors to flexible structures and favourable lending terms. From expats with global income to entrepreneurs drawing minimal salaries, every situation can be approached strategically with the right advice.
At Articus Finance, we specialise in guiding HNW and international clients through this complexity. To discover how our discreet expertise can shape the right mortgage strategy for you, contact us today.
