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Whether you’ve recently qualified or you’ve been established in your profession for years, you may be wondering how your career impacts your mortgage options.
It’s a common challenge: your current payslip or set of accounts doesn’t always reflect your future earning power or the reality of how you’re paid. You may be a doctor working locum shifts, a solicitor in a training contract, or an accountant taking dividends rather than a large salary.
That’s where Professional Mortgages come in. These products are designed for people in recognised professions and take a more flexible approach to affordability and income assessment. They can allow you to borrow more, access tailored rates, and benefit from underwriting that reflects your career path.
At Strive, we work with professionals every day to secure the right mortgage. Below, we’ll break down the difference between standard mortgages and professional mortgages, and explain when each may be the right fit.
What is a Standard Mortgage?
A standard mortgage is the “off the shelf” option you’ll find at most high street lenders. They suit the majority of borrowers, but their affordability rules can be rigid.
- Borrowing limits: Usually 4.5–5x your income. A handful of lenders stretch higher but often with conditions.
- Product choice: A wide range — fixed, tracker, offset, variable, cashback.
- Deposits: Start from 5%.
- Self-employed: Typically need 2–3 years of accounts.
For many, a standard mortgage works perfectly well. But if your income is structured differently or you need higher multiples, they may fall short.
What is a Professional Mortgage?
Professional mortgages are tailored for specific careers — such as doctors, solicitors, accountants, dentists, architects, and contractors. They recognise that professionals often have strong earning potential, even if that isn’t obvious from their payslip today.
Key features include:
- Higher borrowing multiples: 6x income is common, sometimes even 7x.
- Flexible income assessment: Salary, dividends, profit share, locum or contract income can be considered.
- Self-employed flexibility: Some lenders accept just one year of accounts.
- Exclusive terms: Certain professions benefit from lower or preferential rates.
- Bespoke underwriting: Lenders take into account your career trajectory and job security.
It’s a more tailored, human approach compared with the rigid tick-box criteria of standard lending.
Outstanding service and clear communication are at the core of what we do. But don’t just take our word for it—read firsthand experiences from our clients and discover why they rate us a 5-star mortgage broker.
Which Lenders Offer Professional Mortgages?
Not all lenders offer them — in fact, only around 20 lenders in the UK operate in this space.
Some examples include:
- Platform (Co-op)
- Scottish Widows
- Scottish Building Society
- Virgin Money
- Clydesdale Bank
- Bank of Ireland
- Kensington
- Metro Bank
Because the pool is smaller, the range of products isn’t as broad as standard mortgages, but the flexibility can make all the difference.
Which jobs qualify for professional mortgages?
It varies by lender, but commonly accepted professions include:
- Doctors and medical professionals
- Dentists and pharmacists
- Solicitors and barristers
- Accountants (including trainees)
- Architects and surveyors
- Teachers (in some cases)
- Vets
- Certain airline staff and regulated contractors
Are Professional Mortgages Available to First-Time Buyers?
Yes. Professional mortgages are available to:
- First-time buyers
- Home movers
- Buy-to-let purchasers
- Remortgage clients
They’re not limited to a specific stage of the property journey — the key factor is your profession and how your income is structured.
Can Newly Qualified Professionals Get a Mortgage?
Some lenders restrict professional perks to those who’ve been qualified for several years. But others are more flexible, and will even extend benefits to trainees and newly qualified professionals.
This includes:
- Junior Doctors
- Solicitors in training contracts
- Trainee accountants
- Newly qualified teachers
This means you don’t necessarily have to wait until your income grows — you may be able to access enhanced borrowing earlier in your career.
Borrowing Power: Professional vs Standard Mortgages
This is one of the biggest differences.
- Standard mortgages: Usually capped at 4.5–5x income, with a few niche cases going to 6x.
- Professional mortgages: 6x is much more widely available, and in certain cases, 7x can be achieved.
That additional borrowing capacity can be crucial if you’re looking to secure a property that reflects your long-term plans, not just your current payslip.
Deposit Requirements
- Standard mortgages: Available from 5%.
- Professional mortgages: Often require at least 10%, though a couple of lenders do allow 5%.
Buy-to-Let and Joint Mortgages for Professionals
Joint mortgages: Only one applicant needs to be in a qualifying profession for the benefits to apply, so couples can take advantage even if one partner isn’t a professional.ting your case.r share code from the EU Settlement Scheme as proof of immigration status.
Buy-to-let: Yes, professionals can access buy-to-let mortgages, usually with a 20–25% minimum deposit.
Speak to a mortgage expert today for the best deal.
Rates on Professional Mortgages
Some lenders offer preferential rates for professionals, reflecting the lower risk they associate with certain careers.
However, because fewer lenders operate in this space, rates aren’t always cheaper than the high street. With standard mortgages, the competition is fierce and pricing can be sharper. With professional mortgages, the trade-off is often between cost and flexibility.
Overpayments and Flexibility
Professional incomes can be unpredictable — you may receive lump sums from bonuses, private work, or additional contracts.
Standard mortgages usually allow 10% overpayments per year. Some professional lenders recognise the need for more flexibility, offering up to 20% a year, or even letting you access funds you’ve overpaid without going through a fresh application.
That flexibility can make managing your mortgage much easier as your income grows and changes.
Interest-Only Options
Some professional mortgages allow interest-only borrowing.
This can be particularly helpful if you’re at the start of your career, borrowing close to your maximum. Interest-only can keep payments lower in the early years while you build your income, with the option to switch later.
Lenders typically require:
- A 25% deposit
- A repayment strategy such as investments or property sale
Mortgage Payment Holidays
Both standard and professional mortgages may allow payment holidays, subject to eligibility. Professional lenders are often more flexible here, recognising the demands and income fluctuations that come with certain careers.
Can I Remortgage on a Professional Mortgage?
Yes. Professional mortgages aren’t limited to purchases. You can remortgage onto one, or switch between professional and standard deals as your circumstances change.
What Documents Do I Need?
You’ll need broadly the same documents as a standard application, with a few extras to confirm your profession.
Common requirements include:
- Recent payslips
- Employment contract (especially useful if newly qualified)
- 3–6 months’ bank statements
- Proof of qualification or membership with a professional body
- Self-employed applicants: accounts, SA302s, tax year overviews
Is a Professional Mortgage Right for You?
If you can borrow what you need on a standard mortgage, you’ll enjoy more choice and potentially sharper rates.
But if you need higher borrowing, recognition of complex income, or flexibility as a newly qualified professional, a professional mortgage could be exactly what you need.
Yes, repayments may feel tighter in the early years, but as your income grows, the decision usually pays off.
Why Choose Strive for Your Professional Mortgage?
At Strive, we know that professionals don’t always fit the neat boxes that standard lenders want to tick. You may be self-employed, working locum shifts, drawing dividends, or just starting out in a career where your income will rise quickly.
Most lenders won’t take the time to understand that. We do.
- We know the 20 or so lenders who offer true professional mortgage products.
- We understand how to present cases with one year’s accounts, training contracts, or complex income structures.
- We’ll find the lender that values your profession, not just your payslip.
- And we’ll be here long-term, guiding you as your career and property needs evolve.
👉 Ready to explore your options? Speak to Strive today — your trusted mortgage broker for professionals.
👉 See our case study to learn how we helped a London lawyer secure a £600k professional mortgage in London at 6× income.
FAQs on Professional Mortgages
Do pharmacists qualify for professional mortgages?
Yes. Pharmacists are recognised by several lenders as eligible for professional mortgage terms. This can mean access to higher income multiples, more flexible underwriting, and in some cases, preferential rates.
Do solicitors qualify for professional mortgages?
Absolutely. Solicitors are one of the core professions that many lenders specifically target with professional mortgage ranges. Even trainee solicitors in training contracts can sometimes access enhanced terms, as lenders recognise the stable and high earning potential of the profession.
Do doctors qualify for professional mortgages?
Yes, doctors are one of the most commonly accepted professions. Lenders often extend benefits to junior doctors, consultants, and even trainees, making mortgages more accessible earlier in their careers.
Do professional mortgages have better rates?
Sometimes, yes. Certain lenders offer preferential rates for professionals, reflecting the lower risk associated with these careers. However, because fewer lenders offer professional ranges, the choice is smaller, and rates aren’t always cheaper than standard high street deals.
Can I get a professional mortgage if I’m newly qualified?
In many cases, yes. Some lenders require you to have been qualified for a number of years, but others will consider newly qualified professionals or even trainees, particularly in law, medicine, and accountancy.
Can I remortgage with a professional mortgage?
Yes. Professional mortgage terms are available for purchases, remortgages, buy-to-let, and home moves. If your situation changes, you can switch between professional and standard deals as needed.
Jamie Elvin
Jamie is an expert in all things mortgages, and our most experienced broker. Connect with Jamie and get started to see how Strive Mortgages can help you.
