Can I Get A Mortgage With RSUs, Bonuses And Share Income?

Many professionals working in technology, finance, consulting and large corporate businesses receive a significant proportion of their income through bonuses, Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), share schemes or other variable compensation. These income structures are particularly common amongst higher earners applying for large mortgages and borrowers seeking specialist lending solutions.

A really common questions we hear is:

“Can I get a mortgage using my bonus, RSUs or share income?”

The answer is often yes, but not all lenders assess this type of income in the same way. In fact, the difference between lenders can sometimes increase borrowing potential by hundreds of thousands of pounds. For borrowers with complex income, choosing the right lender can often be just as important as choosing the right mortgage product.

Key Takeaways

• Many lenders will consider bonus income, RSUs and share income
• Different lenders assess variable income very differently
• Some lenders may use 100% of bonus income, while others use much less
• Borrowing capacity can vary significantly between lenders
• Specialist advice can be particularly valuable for higher earners and complex income borrowers

What Are RSUs?

RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) are a form of employee compensation commonly offered by technology companies and larger corporations. Employees receive shares in the company which vest over time and can form a significant part of overall annual income.

For some borrowers, RSUs can account for:

• Tens of thousands of pounds per year
• A substantial proportion of total remuneration
• More income than their basic salary

However, not every lender treats RSU income the same way. We frequently see RSUs form a significant part of the income used when arranging high net worth mortgages for professionals working in technology and financial services.

Can Mortgage Lenders Use RSU Income?

Yes, some lenders will consider RSU income when assessing affordability.

However, they may look at:

• Vesting schedules
• Historic awards
• Frequency of payments
• Employer strength
• Sustainability of the income

Some lenders may take a conservative approach, while others are far more flexible. This is why lender selection can make such a significant difference. In our experience, some lenders are far more comfortable assessing RSU income than others, particularly where there is a strong track record of awards and vesting history.

Can Bonuses Be Used For A Mortgage?

Bonus income is widely accepted by many lenders, particularly for:

• Finance professionals
• Investment bankers
• Accountants
• Consultants
• Sales professionals

The way bonus income is assessed varies between lenders.

Some may:

• Use 100% of bonus income
• Average bonus income over two or three years
• Apply a percentage reduction
• Ignore bonus income entirely

Understanding which lenders are most suitable can have a major impact on borrowing potential. This can be particularly important for borrowers looking to maximise affordability in higher-value areas such as London, where property prices often require larger mortgage loans.

What About Share Income?

Share income is becoming increasingly common, particularly within:

• Technology firms
• Listed companies
• Senior executive roles

Some lenders are comfortable using:

• Share awards
• Deferred bonuses
• Stock plans
• Employee share schemes

Others may not include them at all. Again, lender criteria vary significantly. Some lenders will assess historic share income over several years, while others may place greater emphasis on future awards and the overall remuneration package.

Why Borrowing Amounts Can Differ So Much

One of the biggest misconceptions in the mortgage market is that all lenders assess affordability in the same way. They do not.

For borrowers with:

• RSUs
• Bonuses
• Share income
• Complex remuneration structures

The difference between lenders can be substantial. In some cases, one lender may offer £900,000 while another may offer £1.2 million for the same applicant. We regularly see this with professionals working in technology and financial services, where bonus income, RSUs and share awards can form a significant proportion of total earnings. A lender that understands these income structures may be willing to lend substantially more than one that relies primarily on basic salary.

How To Improve Your Chances Of Approval

If a significant proportion of your income comes from bonuses, RSUs or shares, it may help to:

• Keep records of historic payments
• Maintain evidence of vesting schedules
• Demonstrate consistency of income
• Work with a broker familiar with complex income cases
• Approach lenders that understand your remuneration structure

Preparation can make the application process smoother and improve lender confidence.

Oportfolio Insight

At Oportfolio Mortgages, we regularly help professionals whose income goes beyond a simple basic salary. In our experience, borrowers are often surprised by how differently lenders assess bonuses, RSUs and share income. Choosing the right lender can significantly increase borrowing potential, improve mortgage options and help borrowers secure properties that may otherwise be out of reach.

Speak To Oportfolio Mortgages

If you receive bonuses, RSUs, share income or other forms of complex remuneration and would like to understand your mortgage options, feel free to get in touch. We regularly help professionals, business owners and higher earners secure mortgages where income assessment is not always straightforward. Whether you’re employed, self-employed, receive bonuses, RSUs or share income, we can help identify lenders that understand your circumstances and maximise your borrowing potential.

FAQ: Mortgage With RSUs, Bonuses And Share Income