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For many professionals, commission and bonuses make up a significant portion of income. Whether you’re in sales, finance, recruitment, or another performance-driven sector, this variable income is part and parcel of your earnings.
Unfortunately, not every lender sees it the same way. Some banks are cautious, only using a small portion of your commission or bonus, or averaging it over long periods that don’t reflect your real earning power.
Halifax, however, is one of the more flexible high-street lenders when it comes to commission and bonus income. They understand that variable pay can still be sustainable, and they will use it towards affordability — though usually not in full.
At Strive Mortgages, we specialise in helping clients with variable income – whether that’s commission, bonuses, overtime, or locum work. We work with Halifax, but also with the whole of market, to ensure you don’t miss out on lenders that may be even more generous. Halifax can be a great fit, but it’s always worth comparing options.
Do Halifax Accept Commission and Bonus Income?
Yes — Halifax do accept both commission and bonus income, provided it’s ongoing and sustainable.
In practice, Halifax usually include around 60% of commission or bonus income when assessing affordability. This is more accommodating than some lenders who won’t use it at all, but less generous than others who may count 100%.
How Do Halifax Calculate Commission and Bonus Income?
Halifax’s approach depends on how often your variable pay is received.
- Monthly commission → They average your last 3 months’ payslips. This can be helpful if your recent performance has been strong.
- Quarterly / annual bonuses → Halifax take the lower of:
- Your total commission/bonus over the last 12 months, or
- The average of your last 2 years’ figures.
This ensures they use a sustainable figure rather than relying on one-off spikes.
Are Halifax a Good Lender for Commission and Bonus Income?
Halifax can be an excellent choice if your commission or bonus income has been strong recently. Their 3-month averaging method for monthly commission is especially favourable if your income has increased.
However, if you rely heavily on commission, other lenders may be more generous. For example:
- Nationwide, Barclays, NatWest – often accept up to 100% of variable income.
👉 Halifax is strong, but whether they’re the “best” depends on your exact circumstances.
What Evidence Do Halifax Require?
Halifax’s documentation requirements are straightforward:
- Monthly commission → 3 months’ payslips
- Annual/quarterly bonuses → Payslips covering the last 2 years
- P60 → Not usually required unless underwriters need confirmation
How Much Can I Borrow with Halifax if I Earn Commission or Bonuses?
Halifax typically offer:
- 4.5 to 5× income for most borrowers
- Up to 5.5× income for first-time buyers or higher earners
Because they use recent payslips for monthly commission, your borrowing power may depend heavily on your last few months of income.
Example – Salary with Commission
- Basic salary: £50,000
- Commission: £500 per month = £6,000 per year
- Halifax counts 60% = £3,600
Total income used: £53,600
- £53,600 × 4.5 = £241,200
- £53,600 × 5 = £268,000
- £53,600 × 5.5 = £294,800
👉 If another lender accepted 100% of your commission, they’d assess income as £56,000 instead, potentially increasing your borrowing.
Are There Other Lenders Good for Bonus and Commission Income?
Yes. Some lenders are more generous than Halifax:
- Nationwide – often accepts up to 100% of consistent variable income.
- Barclays – flexible in combining salary with commission/bonus.
- NatWest – commonly includes 100% of commission/bonus.
Which is best depends on how your income is structured and whether it has been stable or recently increased.
Do Halifax Require a P60 for Commission Income?
No — in most cases, Halifax won’t ask for a P60. They are usually satisfied with payslips, unless underwriters need additional confirmation.
Why Use a Mortgage Broker Like Strive?
Commission and bonus income can make a big difference to your borrowing power — but only if you apply with the right lender.
At Strive Mortgages, we:
- Compare Halifax with the whole of market
- Identify lenders who accept the largest proportion of variable income
- Match you with lenders who use the most favourable averaging method (3, 6, 12, or 24 months)
- Access exclusive broker-only deals not available direct
Our goal is to maximise your borrowing power while securing the most competitive rate.
Halifax Commission & Bonus Mortgage FAQs
Do Halifax accept commission income?
Yes – usually up to around 60% is counted unless it’s guaranteed.
Do Halifax accept bonuses?
Yes – based on the lower of last year’s total or a 2-year average.
How do Halifax calculate commission?
They take an average of your last 3 months’ payslips for monthly commission.
What evidence do I need?
Usually 3 months’ payslips for monthly commission, or 2 years for annual bonuses.
Do Halifax use 100% of my commission?
Not usually – they cap it at around 60%.
How much can I borrow?
Typically 4.5–5× income, up to 5.5× for higher earners or first-time buyers.
Do I need to provide a P60?
Not normally – payslips are usually enough.
Next Steps
If your income includes commission, bonuses, or other variable pay, Halifax may be a great option — especially if your recent earnings have been strong.
At Strive Mortgages, we’ll review Halifax’s policy alongside the whole of market, explain your options clearly, and match you to the best possible lender.
👉 Contact Strive Mortgages today to find out how much you could borrow and which lenders are best for you.
