Contractor Mortgage in Clapham — Family Upsize to £1.4m Home

The Challenge

Ravi and Priya were living in a one-bedroom flat but needed more space after starting a family. They set their sights on a three-bedroom terraced house in Clapham — an ideal area for their lifestyle and commute.

Ravi works as a contractor within IR35, juggling two high-value contracts for major companies. The issue was timing — both contracts had limited time left, and many lenders saw that as too much of a risk. Even his strong income history and consistent performance weren’t enough to reassure them.

After being turned away by their main banks, HSBC and Barclays, Ravi and Priya began to worry that their plans to move would have to be put on hold. Underwriters at both banks focused only on the short remaining contract terms, rather than the bigger picture of Ravi’s career stability and demand.

The Solution

At Strive, we knew the key was to reframe the narrative and show lenders the full story — not just the remaining weeks on paper.

We built a case that highlighted Ravi’s long-term success as a contractor, his strong history of securing continuous high-value work, and the clear likelihood of renewals or new contracts based on his reputation and demand. Rather than seeing two short-term contracts, we positioned them as evidence of income diversity and professional stability.

NatWest stood out as a lender open to looking beyond the surface. We presented detailed documentation — including contract renewals, letters of intent, and evidence of consistent work — and engaged directly with underwriters to explain the sustainability of his income.

The result was a successful mortgage offer at £760,000 for their new £1.4 million home in Clapham.

How Strive Helped

We started by structuring Ravi’s income in a way that underwriters could easily understand and trust. From there, we gathered every piece of evidence that demonstrated his reliability — past contracts, renewal letters, and confirmation of ongoing demand in his industry.

Our team communicated directly with NatWest’s underwriting team to bridge any gaps in understanding, ensuring the case was viewed holistically. We also handled every stage of the process — from application to completion — so Ravi and Priya could focus on their move rather than the stress of paperwork and follow-ups.

In the end, they secured their dream home — a spacious, family-friendly property in Clapham that fits their next chapter perfectly.

Client’s Words

“We’d been turned away by HSBC and Barclays. Strive got how contractors work and knew which bank would listen. They handled everything — we’re now in our family home and couldn’t be happier.”

If you’re a contractor, working within IR35, or earning through a non-traditional setup, Strive can help you secure the mortgage you deserve.

You can also learn more about how we work as a mortgage advisor in Clapham or explore our wider expertise as a mortgage advisor in London.

For more insights, visit our dedicated page on mortgages for contractors.and knew which bank would listen. They handled everything — we’re now in our family home and couldn’t be happier.”