Can you get a mortgage with employment gap in 2026?

Getting a mortgage with employment gap is often possible in the United Kingdom, even in 2026. Most lenders focus on what has changed since the gap: your current income and how stable it looks, your credit history, and whether the payments are affordable after stress testing.

The Financial Conduct Authority do not regulate buy to let mortgages. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The article is updated as of Feb 16, 2026

What lenders really look at for a mortgage with an employment gap

When you apply for a mortgage with employment gap, lenders do not usually reject you just because you had time off work. They want a clear, sensible story and evidence that your income is now stable.

1) Affordability checks (can you afford it now?)

For a mortgage with employment gap, lenders assess affordability using your income and outgoings, then test whether you could still cope if rates rise (this is part of responsible lending). The FCA’s stress test rule (MCOB 11.6.18R) requires firms to consider the impact of likely future interest rate increases on affordability, with key exceptions where the rate is fixed for five years or more.

They commonly review:

• Net income (after tax)
• Regular commitments (loans, credit cards, childcare, student loan, subscriptions)
• Living costs and household bills
• The effect of future rate rises through stress testing

2) Credit profile expectations

A mortgage with employment gap is easier if your credit file is clean and consistent:

• No missed payments (or a strong explanation if there were any)
• Low credit utilisation (not maxed-out cards)
• Stable address history
• Avoid “credit chaos” (lots of new borrowing just before applying)

3) Income multiples and stability

For a mortgage application, lenders often start with an income multipleA calculation used by mortgage lenders to assess how much a ... (commonly around 4 to 4.5 times income for many borrowers) and then adjust based on affordability and risk.

What helps most:

• Being back in work and past probation (or close)
• A permanent contract
• A consistent track record of income paid into your bank account

4) Deposit rules (why a bigger deposit can help)

A larger deposit can reduce risk for the lender and widen your options. Low-deposit deals can exist, but you still have to pass the lender’s affordability checks and criteria.

Common reasons for an employment gap (and how to explain them)

A mortgage is usually strongest when your gap is normal, well-evidenced, and clearly ended.

Typical acceptable reasons include:

• Redundancy and job search
• Caring responsibilities
• Illness or recovery
• Maternity or paternity leaveLeave taken by borrowers after the birth of a child.
• Education or training
• Moving location or immigration changes

What lenders want:

• The dates (start and end)
• What happened
• Why it should not happen again soon (or how you will manage if it does)

Eligibility checklist for a mortgage with employment gap UK

You are more likely to get a mortgage  if you can show:

• You are back in work with regular income
• You can pass affordability checks and stress testing
• Your bank statementsA record of a borrower's financial transactions often requir... match your story (income in, spending sensible)
• Your credit file is in good shape
• You have a deposit (often 5% to 15% or more helps)
• You are buying a straightforward property type (standard construction is usually simpler)

Documents you will usually need for a mortgage with employment gap

For a mortgage, most lenders ask for the standard documents plus a short explanation about the gap.

Common documents include:

• Proof of identity (passport or driving licence)
• Proof of addressEvidence of a borrower's current address, such as a utility ... (utility bill or bank statement)
• Payslips (often last 3 months, sometimes 6)
• Bank statements (usually last 3 to 6 months)
• P60 (where available)
• Proof of depositEvidence that a borrower has the required deposit to purchas... (savings statements, and a gifted deposit declaration if relevant)

If self-employed (or recently self-employed), a mortgage may also require:

• SA302
• Tax year overview
• Accounts (often two to three years) or an accountant’s reference (this varies by lender)

For the employment gap itself, bring:

• A simple one-page written timeline
• Evidence if relevant (redundancy letter, training certificate, fit note, benefit statement)

The biggest challenges (and how to fix them)

Challenge: “You have not been back at work long enough”

Fix:

• Apply once you have 3 to 6 months of payslips (or meet the lender’s minimum)
• Consider lenders that accept shorter time back at work (this is where a broker can help)

Challenge: Variable income after the gap

Fix:

• Provide more evidence (six months payslips, bonusIncome received as a bonus, which may affect a borrower's ab... history, contracts)
• Keep spending steady and avoid new debt before you apply

Challenge: Credit problems happened during the gap

Fix:

• Settle arrears where possible
• Add a short explanation with dates
• Give your credit file time to stabilise before applying

Pros and cons of a such mortgage

Pros

• You can still buy a home even if your work history is not perfect
• A bigger deposit and clean credit can open more lender options
• Some lenders have been reviewing how affordability rules work in practice (so guidance and criteria may evolve over time)

Cons

• You may need more documents and explanation
• Some lenders may ask for longer time back at work
• If income is unstable, the amount you can borrow may be lower

Buy to Let and a mortgage with employment gap in the UK

A Buy to Let can work differently:

• Many Buy to Let lenders focus heavily on rental stress tests (often called interest coverage tests), where rent must cover the mortgage interest by a set margin
• Some lenders still want a minimum personal income, especially for first-time landlords
• Employment gaps may matter less if rental income is strong and the overall case is low risk, but lender rules vary

If you want a mortgage with employment gap in the UK for Buy to Let, clean documents and a realistic rental figure are key.

Step-by-step: How to get a mortgage with employment gap through an adviser

Step 1: Seek mortgage advice

• Choose a regulated mortgage adviser or broker
• Explain your employment gap clearly (dates, reason, what changed)
• Share your budget, deposit, and target property price

Websites like moneyhelper explains you can apply directly or use a mortgage adviser, and lists typical evidence lenders ask for.

Step 2: Prepare your key documents

Gather:

• Identity: passport or driving licence
• Address proof: recent utility bill or bank statement
• Income proof: payslips (and P60 if available)
• Bank statements: last 3 to 6 months
• Deposit proof: savings statements (and gifted deposit declaration if used)

Also prepare a one-page “employment gap note”:

• Gap dates
• Reason (simple and honest)
• Return-to-work date and role
• Why income is now stable

Step 3: Apply through an adviser

• Your adviser matches your case to lenders whose criteria fit to such mortgage
• They package the application so the underwriter sees the story clearly
• They help you respond quickly if the lender asks for extra evidence

Step 4: Mortgage process from start to finish

A typical mortgage process includes:

• Decision in PrincipleA preliminary decision by a lender to offer a mortgage, base... (basic checks)
• Full application and document review
• Valuation
• Underwriting questions (this is where your gap explanation helps most)
• Mortgage offer
• Solicitor work and completionThe point at which a property purchase is finalized and owne...

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes, sometimes. Many lenders prefer you to be past probation, but some may consider you earlier if the job looks stable and your documents and income evidence are strong.

Will a past employment gap ruin my chances of getting approved?

Not usually. Lenders often focus more on affordability, your credit profile, and whether your income is now steady and reliable.

Do lenders need proof of what I did during the gap?

Often they’ll want a short, clear explanation. Proof isn’t always required, but it can help if the gap was long or recent.

Does a bigger deposit help if I’ve had a gap in employment?

Yes. A larger deposit can improve your options and reduce the lender’s perceived risk, but you’ll still need to pass affordability checks.

What if I missed payments during the gap?

You may still be able to get approved, but it depends on how recent the missed payments were and how serious they were. A broker can help match you with lenders that are more flexible in these situations.

Important warning about repossession

If you miss your mortgage repayments and cannot agree a repayment plan, your lender may start court action to repossess your home gov.uk explains the repossession process and where to get help.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The article is updated as of Feb 16, 2026