New business and product transfer rate reductions

On Friday 24 April, we reduced some residential fixed rates in our new business and product transfer ranges. Read more

Self-employed

All applications where any client is self-employed will be limited to 90% LTV

This page gives you the latest updates for all of your self-employed applications.

Self-employed income

We take an average of the last 2 years' income figures, or the latest year if this is lower. For existing Santander mortgage customers moving home and not making a change to the borrowers, underwriters may be able to carry out a more individual assessment. Speak to your dedicated contact if you have any questions.

It's really important to use our affordability calculator. It’ll tell you how much income we can use towards affordability.

Please note, the amount calculated is only an indication. Our underwriters will assess the evidence you send us to support the sustainability of the income.

Covid-19 liabilities

You’ll be asked in Introducer Internet if your client has an outstanding Bounce Back Loan (BBL) or Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL).

If they have, we’ll need full details including the amount taken and the monthly payment.

The accountant's certificate is our preferred evidence document. It's easy to complete electronically and reduces the issue of missing information and errors. It captures the Covid-19 liabilities information, and we don't need a business bank statement when we have the accountant's certificate.

Outstanding BBL/CBIL liability: where there is an outstanding BBL/CBIL, underwriters will continue to factor the repayments into the affordability assessment. The additional information captured on the accountant’s certificate may support a more detailed individual assessment.

Any undisclosed BBLs/CBILs liability will lead to a decline.

Standard evidence requirements

Where there are unexplained downward trends or sharp increases in the most recent year's trading figures, please give us additional information to explain why.

Primary income (100%)

Acceptable proof

Net profit of a sole trader

Accountant’s certificate.

If your client doesn't have an accountant, we need:

Self Assessment Tax Calculation forms (e.g. SA302) plus Tax Year Overviews (TYO) covering latest 2 years (SA302s and TYOs can be requested from the HMRC or via an online HMRC account), and
Latest month's business bank statement (dated within last 30 days).

For all self-employed income proof, the most recent year-end must not be more than 18 months before the date of the application.

Loans over 90% LTV

3 years’ SA302s plus a Tax Year Overview for each corresponding tax year, or
Accounts providing 3 years’ trading figures signed by a suitably qualified accountant.

We reserve the right to request accounts where necessary. These must be final accounts and signed by a suitably qualified accountant. Please see below for acceptable accountant's qualifications.

Where there are unexplained downward trends or sharp increases in the most recent year's trading figures, please give us additional information to explain why.

Primary income (100%)

Acceptable proof

Partnership (including limited liability partnerships)

Accountant's certificate.

If your client doesn't have an accountant, we need:

Self Assessment Tax Calculation forms (e.g. SA302) plus Tax Year Overviews (TYO) covering latest 2 years (SA302s and TYOs can be requested from the HMRC or via an online HMRC account), and
Latest month's business bank statement (dated within last 30 days).

For all self-employed income proof, the most recent year-end must not be more than 18 months before the date of the application.

For Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) we can also accept:

A letter on the LLPs headed paper from an independent partner/partnership accountant addressed to Santander for a partnership with 8 or more partners. This must include:
- Your client's net profit for the last 3 years*
- The nature of the business
- The year the business started
- Your client's percentage share of the net profit
- The name, signature and details of the person signing.

*If they've been a partner for less than 3 years, we can accept a minimum of 2 years.

Loans over 90% LTV

3 years' SA302s plus a Tax Year Overview for each corresponding tax year, or
Accounts providing 3 years' trading figures signed by a suitably qualified accountant.

We reserve the right to request accounts where necessary. These must be final accounts and signed by a suitably qualified accountant. Please see below for acceptable accountant's qualifications.

Where there are unexplained downward trends or sharp increases in the most recent year's trading figures, please give us additional information to explain why.

Primary income (100%)

Acceptable proof

Employed income (salary) for Director of a limited company (where the applicant's shareholding in a company, or combined shareholding of all applicants, is 20% or more, treat your client as self-employed)

Accountant's certificate only.
For all self-employed income proof the most recent year-end must not be more than 18 months before the date of the application.
If the applicant's dividends are exceeding net profit, the figure used for affordability must not exceed the net profit figure. We don't accept retained profits.

We reserve the right to request accounts where necessary. These must be final accounts and signed by a suitably qualified accountant. Please see below for acceptable accountant's qualifications.

Loans over 90% LTV

Accounts providing 3 years' trading figures signed by a suitably qualified accountant.

Dividends for Directors (where the applicant's shareholding in a company, or combined shareholding of all applicants is 20% or more, treat your client as self-employed); includes Alphabet shares

Accountant's certificate only.
For all self-employed income proof the most recent year-end must not be more than 18 months before the date of the application.
If the applicant's dividends are exceeding net profit, the figure used for affordability must not exceed the net profit figure. We don't accept retained profits.

We reserve the right to request accounts where necessary. These must be final accounts and signed by a suitably qualified accountant. Please see below for acceptable accountant's qualifications.

Loans over 90% LTV

Accounts providing 3 years' trading figures signed by a suitably qualified accountant.

Where there are unexplained downward trends or sharp increases in the most recent year's trading figures, please give us additional information to explain why.

Primary income (100%)

Acceptable proof

Sub-contractor in the construction industry

Accountant's certificate.

If your client doesn't have an accountant, we need:

Self Assessment Tax Calculation forms (e.g. SA302) plus Tax Year Overviews (TYO) covering latest 2 years (SA302s and TYOs can be requested from the HMRC or via an online HMRC account), and
Latest month's business bank statement (dated within last 30 days).

For all self-employed income proof, the most recent year-end must not be more than 18 months before the date of the application.

If your client doesn't have Self Assessment Tax Calculation forms (e.g. SA302), we need:

CIS Payment and Deduction statements plus TYOs covering latest 2 years. Where these are provided, we'll take an average of the last 2 years or the latest year if lower, and
Latest month's business bank statement (dated within the last 30 days).

The latest CIS Payment and Deduction statement must be dated no more than 6 months before the date of application.

CIS Payment and Deduction statements must show:

the contractor's name and employer's tax reference
the end date of the tax month in which the payment was made
the sub-contractor's name
the sub-contractor's unique tax reference (UTR)
the gross amount of the payment made to the sub-contractor
the cost of any materials which may have reduced the amount upon which the deduction has been applied
the amount of the deduction.

Loans over 90% LTV (only available for existing Santander mortgage customers borrowing the same or less)

3 years' SA302s or CIS Payment and Deduction statements plus a Tax Year Overview for each corresponding tax year, or
Accounts providing 3 years' trading figures signed by a suitably qualified accountant.

We reserve the right to request accounts where necessary. These must be final accounts and signed by a suitably qualified accountant. Please see below for acceptable accountant's qualifications.

We accept accountant's certificates produced and signed by an accountant that has a qualification (and is an Associate or Fellow) with one of the professional bodies listed below:

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, also known as Chartered Accountants Ireland
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Association of Authorised Public Accountants
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Certified Public Accountants Association
Association of Accounting Technicians
Association of International Accountants
Chartered Institute of Taxation
Institute of Financial Accountants
Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy