As a limited company director, applying for a mortgage can sometimes feel more complicated than it should. Unlike salaried employees, directors often take a lower salary and top up their income with dividends or retained profits, which not all lenders understand. This can make securing the right deal challenging – especially if you go to the wrong lender.
At Empire Mortgages, we specialise in helping limited company directors and self-employed clients secure mortgages that reflect their true affordability. With access to the whole market and years of experience, we’ll guide you through the process, helping you find a lender who understands your income and circumstances.
Many directors are surprised to learn that lenders don’t always assess their income the same way they do for PAYE employees. Common challenges include:
These hurdles can make it harder to borrow what you need – but with the right advice, you can still access competitive deals.
When applying for a mortgage as a company director, lenders usually ask for:
Some lenders will consider retained profits in addition to salary and dividends, while others won’t. This can make a significant difference to how much you can borrow. Having a specialist adviser like Empire Mortgages means we can match you with the right lender from the outset.
We understand the unique challenges company directors face when applying for a mortgage. Here’s how we make the process easier:
Whole-of-Market Access – We compare hundreds of lenders, from high-street banks to niche specialists.
Expert Understanding of Director Income – We know which lenders will consider retained profits, giving you more borrowing power.
Tailored Advice – Whether you’re remortgaging, buying, or expanding your portfolio, we’ll find the right solution.
Accountancy Liaison – We’ll work alongside your accountant to ensure your income is presented correctly to lenders.
Stress-Free Process – From paperwork to lender negotiations, we take care of everything.
To maximise your chances of approval and get the best rates, we recommend:
Getting a mortgage as a limited company director doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right guidance, you can access the same competitive deals as anyone else – and sometimes borrow more if your retained profits are considered.
Book a Free Consultation Today and let’s discuss your mortgage options.
Yes – while many lenders require 2–3 years, some will consider applications with just 1 year of trading history.
It depends. Some lenders only use salary and dividends, but others will include retained profit. This is where specialist advice really helps.
Not necessarily. Standard deposits of 5–10% are possible, though having more may give you access to better rates.
Yes – though it can be more complex. Some lenders may require a longer trading history under the new structure.
Refer a Friend Scheme
Recommend a friend who is new to Empire Mortgages and if they then take out their mortgage with us, you’ll each receive £50 worth of vouchers.
We're 5 Star Rated
Daria Bogatu2025-10-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve been working with Nathan for the past six years, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the level of service and professionalism he provides. From our very first mortgage to subsequent renewals and life or house insurances Nathan has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure we get the best possible rates and terms. What stands out most is Nathan’s attention to detail, clear communication and genuine care for his clients. He takes the time to explain every option thoroughly, making what could be a stressful process feel straightforward and transparent. Over the years Nathan has proven to be reliable, knowledgeable and always available to answer any questions, no matter how small. I truly value our long term collaboration and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Nathan to anyone looking for a trustworthy and experienced mortgage professional. Beniamin Nistor2025-10-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I'm pleased to say that we've been working with the best. Thanks very much for helping us to make our dream come true. Sam2025-10-01Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nathan helped me with my mortgage application for my first property making it a smooth process. Very helpful and informative employee at Empire Mortgages, would recommend him and Empire Mortgages to anyone. Ben Wheeler2025-09-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely fantastic service from Craig at Empire Mortgages highly recommended to anyone, fantastic experience from start to finish was always just a phone call away thank you again 😀 Emma Dalziel2025-09-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent experience with the company. Talked us through every step of the way and was always only at the other end of the phone. Couldn’t recommend enough!! Thanks again DC (DC)2025-09-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Emma has been absolutely fantastic throughout the whole remortgage process. She explained everything clearly, kept me updated at every stage, and was always quick to respond whenever I had questions. She went above and beyond to make sure everything was handled properly, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a professional and reliable mortgage broker. Davie & Martin's Railway2025-09-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Scott at Empire Mortgages was truly fantastic at getting me the best deal possible. He listened to all my needs and delivered an excellent product. A true 5 star performance. Lisa Duff2025-09-05Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Scott was incredibly helpful throughout our mortgage process. He provided clear advice, answered all our questions, and guided us toward making the best decisions for our situation. We really appreciated his patience and support, and we would absolutely recommend him to others. Jane Locke2025-09-04Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nathan helped me with my mortgage 8 years ago when buying my first house, so when the time came to move on to a new property I could think of no one better to help me! Nathan is extremely friendly, down to earth and always available to help with anything property related or just general advice when I am clueless!! He will always strive to get you the absolute best mortgage rates - wouldn't go anywhere else! Thank you Benjamin Kessack-Morrison2025-08-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Scott at Empire Mortgages Ltd. was recommended to me by a family member. Being a first time buyer, it was difficult to understand all of the jargon and details that come with buying a house, especially obtaining a mortgage. Scott made this process easy to understand and was there every step of the way, just a quick message or email away, to answer big and small questions and provide vital information. I was able to obtain my mortgage and associated insurances through Scott with no stress and would highly recommend Empire Mortgages Ltd. to anyone, especially first time buyers.
The guidance provided within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.
Empire Mortgages Ltd is an Appointed Representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of TenetLime Ltd. TenetLime Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tenet Lime Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 150643.
Empire Mortgages Ltd may charge a fee for mortgage advice. The amount of the fee will depend on your circumstances and will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity. Our typical fee is £295 payable on receipt of a full mortgage offer.
Registered in Scotland under reference SC545434
Registered office address: Unit 9, Flexspace, Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline, KY11 8UU
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
© Copyright 2025 Empire Mortgages Ltd. All Rights Reserved