Getting a mortgage is hard enough at the best of times, especially in this day and age.

Couple that with being self employed and the whole process can be a bit of a nightmare.

I regularly help clients to prepare a reference and financial information pack for their lender - a standard process but one that many (including some lenders and mortgage advisors) do not seem to understand how to handle for the self employed or owners/shareholders/directors of limited companies!

Moving house is stressful 

Delays in obtaining a mortgage add to this stress.

The key is preparation!

If you work for yourself either as a sole trader/self employed or as a director of a limited company make sure that you get your ducks in a row ready for that mortgage application process to swim along smoothly ...

• Make sure that you have your accounts up to date with all of the documentation to hand - you will need a profit & loss account and balance sheet.

• Go back and find the same for the last three years! You will need at least the current & last three years to satisfy most lender requirements.

• If you haven't had your own business for 3 years then you will need your PAYE P60s and/or P45s for the same period.

• The objective is to have a clear statement of proof of earning for the last three years and this current year.

• You will need to get the proof of earning signed off by one off our accountants here at 1st Stop Accoumtancy Services Bristol Ltd.

• Make sure that you tell us about the house move in plenty of time. It is usual that the lender will want us to complete a reference - so we need to schedule in the time to do this. Don't just drop this on us at the last minute!

• Please bear in mind that we will not just sign off proof of earning on your say so. We will want to prepare/check your accounts and be able to verify the earnings via self employment returns and self assessment etc.

• Or the other option is that some lenders will work on a form called an SA302. This shows your tax calculation. Some lenders will take this as confirmation of your earnings. However do make sure that your lender will use these and that you have them!

Hopefully this will help a little to alleviate the stress of the mortgage application.