Case Study: Helping a Self-Employed Buyer Secure a Mortgage with Just 1 Year of Accounts
This mortgage case study is based on a real client scenario. Details have been simplified to protect client confidentiality. Getting a mortgage when you’re self-employed can be challenging, particularly if you only have 1 year of accounts. Many lenders prefer 2–3 years of trading history, which can limit options. In this case, we helped a self-employed buyer secure a mortgage using just 1 year of accounts.
The situation
Our client had recently become self-employed after working in a similar industry for several years.
They had:
- 1 year of accounts showing strong income
- A solid deposit
- A clean credit profile
However, they had been told by a high street lender that they would need to wait another year before applying.
The challenge
Many lenders require at least 2 years of accounts for self-employed applicants.
This meant:
- Limited lender options
- Risk of being declined
- Delays in purchasing a property
The key challenge was finding a lender willing to consider 1 year of accounts while still offering competitive terms.
What we did
We assessed the client’s full financial profile and identified lenders with more flexible criteria.
This included:
- Using previous employed history in the same industry to strengthen the case
- Identifying lenders open to 1 year of accounts
- Presenting strong supporting documentation
- Structuring the application to highlight income consistency
By matching the client with the right lender, we were able to proceed immediately rather than waiting another year.
The result
The client successfully secured a mortgage with just 1 year of accounts.
Key outcome:
- Mortgage approved without needing 2+ years of accounts
- Competitive borrowing level achieved
- Property purchase completed without delay
The key factor wasn’t income, it was choosing the right lender.
Oportfolio insight
We regularly see self-employed applicants told they need to wait longer before applying.
However:
- Some lenders accept just 1 year of accounts
- Income can be assessed differently across lenders
- Previous industry experience can strengthen applications
In many cases, it’s not about waiting, it’s about choosing the right lender.
Need help as a self-employed buyer?
If you’re self-employed and unsure whether you can get a mortgage, we can help. We’ll assess your income, accounts, and lender options to give you a clear answer. Book a quick affordability review with Oportfolio Mortgages and we’ll show you what’s possible.
