Explain how you earn your income
Tell MOVA whether you are a sole trader, partner, company director or contractor, how long you have traded and how your income is paid. Describe seasonal work, changes in profit, a new business structure or a recent gap in trading.
For a company director, bring an explanation of salary, dividends and your shareholding. Turnover, business profit and the money available for personal spending are different figures. Your adviser needs to understand the structure before discussing how a lender may assess it.
Gather tax calculations and overviews
After submitting your Self Assessment return, you can obtain a tax calculation, often called an SA302, and a tax year overview. They are separate documents and a lender may ask for both for the relevant years. Check the requested years and whether the figures match the filed returns.
If your accountant files through commercial software, the calculation may need to be printed from that software, while the overview comes from HMRC. Ask your accountant for the right records and confirm that the proposed lender accepts their format. Do not assume an unfinished return is sufficient.
Prepare accounts and supporting evidence
Depending on your circumstances and the lender, you may be asked for finalised business accounts, personal or business bank statements, an accountant’s information and evidence of current trading. Company directors may also need records supporting salary and dividends.
- Keep complete, readable documents with dates and names visible.
- Explain differences between your tax records, accounts and bank transactions.
- Have details of business liabilities and personal commitments ready.
- For contract work, discuss contracts, renewal history and gaps with your adviser.
Document requirements and the trading history needed vary. Having a shorter track record does not justify assuming either automatic acceptance or automatic rejection.
Show your deposit and household budget
Set out how much you have saved and where the deposit comes from. If family is helping, disclose whether it is a genuine gift or money that must be repaid. Ask MOVA what evidence is needed before transferring documents.
List regular bills, credit repayments and dependants, along with tax commitments and quieter trading periods. Work out a monthly payment you can sustain without treating the best trading month as the normal month. Keep a separate allowance for the costs of buying or switching your mortgage.
Discuss the gaps before applying
You do not need every document ready for an initial conversation. Bring what you have and explain what is outstanding. MOVA can help identify the relevant evidence once your circumstances and possible lending routes are understood.
Tell your adviser about falling income, late payments, a business change or new borrowing before an application is made. Avoid changing how you draw income solely to obtain a mortgage without speaking to your accountant and adviser. Share sensitive records only through the document route agreed with MOVA.
Common questions
Before you take the next step.
Do all lenders ask for the same number of years?
No. Trading history, the income calculation and evidence requirements vary by lender and business structure.
Are an SA302 and a tax year overview the same?
No. The calculation shows how tax was worked out; the overview is a separate HMRC record. A lender may request both.
Can I speak to MOVA before my accounts are ready?
Yes. The initial conversation can establish your plans and what remains to be gathered. It is not a promise of mortgage approval.
Your next step
Talk through your plans with MOVA.
Tell us what you want to achieve and what you are unsure about. We will help you understand the next steps and the information needed for your circumstances.
The initial conversation is at no cost. Any applicable adviser fee will be explained and agreed before you proceed.
Related MOVA guides
Keep planning your next step.
General information, not a personal recommendation or legal or tax advice. Lender criteria and availability can change.
Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or other debt secured on it.
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