This mortgage case study is based on a real client scenario. Details have been simplified to protect client confidentiality.
At higher loan levels, securing a mortgage is rarely straightforward, even for high earners. In this case, we helped a London-based professional secure a £1.2 million mortgage where a significant portion of their income came from bonuses.
When it comes to getting a mortgage with bonus income in the UK, in London specifically, where bonus income can significantly impact how much you can borrow on a mortgage, this is a common scenario.
Quick summary
High earners are often limited not by income, but by how that income is assessed, and choosing the right lender can significantly increase borrowing potential. At higher income levels, borrowing potential is often determined by lender criteria, not income itself.
The situation
Our client was a senior professional based in London with a strong overall income package.
However:
- A large portion of their income came from annual bonuses
- Their base salary alone limited borrowing potential
- They had received mixed signals from lenders
They wanted to:
- Maximise borrowing potential
- Secure a competitive mortgage rate
- Ensure their full income was properly recognised
The challenge
Not all lenders treat bonus income equally.
In many cases:
- Bonus income is capped
- Only a percentage is used
- Some lenders require a multi-year average
- Others may ignore it entirely
This meant:
The same income could produce very different borrowing results. Applying to the wrong lender could have reduced borrowing by hundreds of thousands.
What we did
We reviewed the client’s full income structure and identified lenders that take a more flexible approach to bonus income.
This included:
- Selecting lenders that fully recognise consistent bonus income
- Structuring the application to reflect total earnings accurately
- Comparing affordability models across multiple lenders
- Positioning the case clearly for underwriting
By focusing on lender fit, we were able to maximise borrowing potential without compromising on rate competitiveness.
In some cases, selecting the right lender can increase borrowing by hundreds of thousands.
The result
The client successfully secured a £1.2 million mortgage aligned with their full income profile.
Key outcome:
- £1.2M mortgage approved
- Bonus income fully factored into affordability
- Suitable lender selected first time
- Property purchase able to proceed smoothly
Oportfolio insight
Across London and the South East, we regularly see high earners under-assessed by lenders.
In many cases:
- Income is strong
- Deposit is sufficient
- But borrowing is limited due to how income is treated
The difference between lenders can be substantial, even when rates appear similar.
Why this matters for high earners
If your income includes:
- Bonuses
- Commission
- RSUs or equity
- Multiple income streams
Then lender choice becomes critical.
At higher borrowing levels, small differences in income assessment can result in significant changes to borrowing capacity.
Need help structuring a high-value mortgage?
If you’re earning a high income but want to understand how much you could realistically borrow, we can help. We’ll assess your full income structure and match you to lenders that reflect your true affordability.
If you’re unsure how much you could borrow, or are interested in learning more about mortgage for high earners, see our guide on how much you can borrow for a mortgage.
Book a confidential mortgage review with Oportfolio Mortgages and get clarity before you apply.
Related guides
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- What salary do I need for a £1 million mortgage
- How much can I borrow for a mortgage
- Latest UK mortgage market update
