Getting a Mortgage if You've Just Started a New Job

Starting a new job shouldn't get in the way of your mortgage, speak to an expert broker for more options and the right advice

Have you started a new job in the last 12 months?

Home Income Types Getting A Mortgage If You’ve Just Started A New Job
Pete Mugleston

Author: Pete Mugleston

Mortgage Advisor, MD

Updated: March 15, 2024

We’ll look at why changing jobs shouldn’t always have a negative impact on someone’s mortgage application, how long you need in a new job before you can apply, and why a mortgage broker can help boost your chances of success.

Can you get a mortgage if you’ve just started a new job?

Yes, of course. Although starting a new job can, potentially, make it more difficult to get a mortgage it’s by no means impossible. Several factors will come into play, including:

  • Your previous work history
  • How long you’ve been in your new job
  • Whether or not you have a probationary period

Not all lenders will be open to offering a mortgage if you’ve recently changed jobs, so you’ll need to shop around to find the right deal. A broker can be invaluable here, identifying the right mortgage lenders for you who would tend to look more favourably on applications from someone in this position.

Maximise your chance of mortgage approval with a specialist in new job mortgages

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How long do you need to have been in a job?

To get a mortgage, it’s best to have a stable work history of 3-6 months. If you’ve been at your job for less than 3 months, there may still be options available, depending on your income, credit history, and job stability. Lenders have different criteria, so it’s important to compare options.

Keep in mind that initially at least you may have to settle for a slightly higher interest rate as you’ll be considered higher risk, but you can always remortgage at a later date for a better deal.

Should you wait to apply?

This all depends on your own personal situation. Ideally, it would be best to wait until you’ve passed your probationary period as most mortgage lenders will likely ask this question during their eligibility assessment. However, if you wait you may miss out on the property you really desire or a particular interest rate offer. But applying too soon could mean an instant decline if you’ve approached a lender who deems you to be too much of a risk at this point in time, due to your employment status.

This is why it’s best to seek the guidance of an experienced mortgage broker before applying directly with a lender. They’ll be able to assess your circumstances and offer the best advice on whether you should apply straight away or wait.

If you’ve been in a job less than three months

It will be hardest to find a lender when you’ve not even reached the three-month mark in a new job, but it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker – some lenders are prepared to make an offer based on the salary of a job you’ve yet to even start.

Having a solid work history in your last job and having experience in the same industry will both play in your favour, as well as being able to provide evidence of a permanent contract and a letter from your new employer.

If you’re in a probationary period

Regardless of how long you’ve been in your new job, lenders will want to know whether or not you’re currently working a probationary period.

A probationary period comes with increased risks for lenders and while many won’t consider your application while it applies, some will be happy to look more broadly at your career history and consider factors including:

  • The length of the probationary period and how long remaining
  • Relevant employment track record
  • Any career gaps or significant career changes

If you’ve been in a job for less than six months

If you’re heading closer to the six-month mark in a new job then more mortgage options start to open up to you as the perceived risk for lenders is decreasing. Again, the overall length of time you’ve been consistently employed, not just in the new role, will play a part.

If you’ve just changed jobs

Just as there are ways to get a mortgage if you’ve recently changed jobs, you should be able to find a lender who is happy for you to remortgage, even if you’ve only been in your new job for a few months.

The eligibility criteria will be similar to a mortgage, so get together as much documentation as you can to support your application. Because these lenders are harder to find, you’re still best placed to go through a specialist broker.

How to get a mortgage with a new job

Prior to submitting an application, contact us so that we can match you with a broker who specializes in arranging mortgages for people who have just started a new job. This will ensure that you are in the best possible position to secure a mortgage that meets your needs.

They can help you do the following…

  • Assess your overall employment history – not just your current status
  • Strengthen your application to offset the risk posed by your change in circumstances
  • Download and optimise your credit reports to remove any inaccuracies or outdated information
  • Find the ideal mortgage lender for someone who’s just started a new job

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Eligibility criteria and lender requirements

As well as the standard eligibility criteria including credit history, other debt commitments and deposit amount, lenders will want to see as much evidence as possible of your new income, as well as potentially requiring financial documents from your previous employment.

The help of your broker will be invaluable here as criteria and requirements vary so much between lenders.

For example:

  • The Marsden Building Society currently requires a minimum of three months in a new job. If this still leaves the applicant in their probationary period then they may consider an application if the new work is like for like and there are no gaps in employment history. A minimum deposit of 20% is required if you’re still in your probationary period.
  • The Bank of Ireland requires a minimum of one month in a new job as they will not proceed until they have seen at least one new payslip. If you’ve been in the job less than three months they will also want to see a copy of your employment contract.
  • Leeds Building Society does not have a minimum length of time in a new job, but does require a minimum of six months continuous employment, ideally in the same field.

How much you could borrow

If your new job also means a change in income then you may be wondering how much you’ll be able to borrow on your new salary. Mortgage lenders tend to use a multiple of your annual salary – usually between 4-4.5 times – as a gauge to work out how much somebody may be able to borrow.

Use our mortgage affordability calculator below to see how this could work out for you, based on your earnings.

Mortgage Affordability Calculator

Use this calculator to determine how much you could potentially borrow for a mortgage, based on the typical salary multiples used by most UK lenders.

Input full salaries for all applicants
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Your Results:

You could borrow up to 

Most lenders would consider letting you borrow

This is based on 4.5 times your household income, the standard calculation used by the majority of mortgage providers. To borrow more than this, you will need to use a mortgage broker to access specialist lenders.

Some lenders would consider letting you borrow

This is based on 5 times your household income, a salary multiple you might struggle to qualify for without the help of a broker. This income multiple is not widely available to customers who are applying directly with a lender.

A minority of lenders would consider letting you borrow

This is based on 6 times your household income, a salary multiple you will struggle to get without a broker. Six-times salary mortgages are usually only available under very specific circumstances.

Get Started with an expert broker to find out exactly how much you could borrow.

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Can you get a mortgage with a job offer letter?

Possibly, yes. Again, this would all depend on your complete employment history and not just your current status. So, for example, if you have a 20-year track record with one previous employer then overall your employment history is positive.

Having a large deposit and healthy credit record would also count in your favour.
Alternatively, if you regularly switch jobs, have only a small deposit and low credit score you may find getting a mortgage at this stage much more difficult.

Get expert advice immediately if…

  • You’re thinking of leaving your existing job
  • You’ve changed jobs within the last six months
  • You’ve recently been made redundant or lost your job
  • You’re still in a probationary period in a new job
  • You’ve recently become self-employed

If any of the above applies to you then getting expert advice from a specialist mortgage broker could increase your chances of securing a mortgage.

Ashleigh's Story

Not having ‘proof’ of my new salary was a massive roadblock and one I did not expect.

But thankfully, I discovered Online Mortgage Advisor! I filled in their form and desperately hoped they could match me to a broker that was able to help me. It felt like my last chance.

Read the full story
Ashleigh Noon

Get matched with a mortgage broker

If you’re keen to get started on your mortgage application then give us a call now on 0808 189 2301 or make an enquiry and we’ll quickly assess your situation and match you with a broker who has experience of securing mortgages for people who have recently changed jobs and haven’t been with their employer for long.

All of the advisors we work with have access to the whole of the mortgage market and have been vetted by us, so you can trust that the broker you match with will be in the best possible position to help you get the mortgage you want.

Maximise your chance of mortgage approval with a specialist in new job mortgages

Get Started Phone Icon 0808 189 2301

FAQs

Yes. You are legally obliged to tell your lender about any changes that could impact your suitability for a mortgage, so this includes changing jobs as well as any income changes within your existing job such as a pay rise or reducing your hours.

Yes, relocating for a new job should only impact your mortgage application in the same way as if you were changing jobs within the same town. If you’re relocating and changing jobs within the same company, then this should make things simpler as you’ll have a consistent employer.

Ideally lenders like to see several years of accounts if you’re self-employed, but it is possible to get a mortgage as a freelancer with less of a track record, it just depends on the lender. One thing that helps is if you can show a consistent history of employment before becoming self-employed, and even better if it’s in a relevant industry, as this will give lenders more confidence in your new venture.

Ideally if you’re looking to buy a house then it’s best to wait to hand in your notice until after the purchase has gone through, as resigning from your job will likely affect your mortgage offer. If that’s not possible then a good first step is to talk to your broker about any implications and what you’ll need to tell your lender.

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About the author

Pete, an expert in all things mortgages, cut his teeth right in the middle of the credit crunch. With plenty of people needing help and few mortgage providers lending, Pete found great success in going the extra mile to find mortgages for people whom many others considered lost causes. The experience he gained, coupled with his love of helping people reach their goals, led him to establish Online Mortgage Advisor, with one clear vision – to help as many customers as possible get the right advice, regardless of need or background.

Pete’s presence in the industry as the ‘go-to’ for specialist finance continues to grow, and he is regularly cited in and writes for both local and national press, as well as trade publications, with a regular column in Mortgage Introducer and being the exclusive mortgage expert for LOVEMoney. Pete also writes for Online Mortgage Advisor of course!

Read more about Pete

Pete Mugleston

Mortgage Advisor, MD

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