If you’re paid regularly but not officially on PAYE, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean a mortgage is out of reach. Many subcontractors are wrongly told their income “doesn’t count” or that they need years of accounts. In reality, some lenders assess subcontracted income based on consistency, average earnings, and contracts, not just how you’re paid. With the right lender and the right advice, your income may go further than you’ve been led to believe.
Jan 7, 2026
Being paid every week.
Working regular hours.
Turning up to the same site or role day in, day out.
Yet when it comes to getting a mortgage, you’re told:
“You’re not PAYE, so it’s complicated.”
“You’ll need two years’ accounts.”
“Come back later.”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Subcontractors often sit in a grey area that many lenders, and some brokers, don’t fully understand. And because of that, a lot of people are given advice that simply doesn’t fit their situation.
Subcontracted work doesn’t fit neatly into a box.
You’re not PAYE in the traditional sense.
But you’re also not always running a business with fluctuating profits.
Many subcontractors:
Despite that, their income is often treated the same way as someone with irregular, unpredictable self-employed earnings. That’s where things go wrong.
Contrary to what many people are told, lenders don’t only care about labels like “PAYE” or “self-employed”.
What they really look at is stability.
Some lenders are happy to assess subcontracted income by looking at:
If the income is regular and sustainable, it can often be used, even if you’re not on a standard payroll.
We regularly speak to subcontractors who’ve been told things like:
That advice usually isn’t malicious. It’s often just the result of applying the wrong criteria to the wrong type of income.
Subcontracted income isn’t the same as unstable self-employment. When it’s assessed properly, it can support a mortgage far sooner than people expect.
Every case is different, but subcontractors are often in a strong position when:
In these situations, some lenders are happy to work with averages and recent history, rather than insisting on years of formal accounts.
That said, there are cases where more evidence is needed. Large gaps in work, highly variable income, or frequent changes of contractor can mean lenders take a more cautious approach. The key is understanding which lenders fit which scenarios.
The biggest issue subcontractors face isn’t usually affordability. It’s misclassification.
At Mortgage Brokers Near Me, we spend time understanding how your income actually works before approaching any lender. That means:
Instead of forcing your situation into the wrong box, we build the case around how you actually work and get paid.
Yes. Subcontractors can get a mortgage, even if they are not paid through PAYE. Some lenders assess subcontracted income based on consistency, average earnings, and length of work, rather than employment status alone.
Not always. While some lenders do require accounts, others are happy to use recent income, bank statements, and contracts if your earnings are regular and sustainable. Being told you must wait two years is often a sign the income has been assessed incorrectly.
Yes, weekly pay can actually help in some cases. Regular weekly income shown on bank statements can demonstrate stability, which is exactly what many lenders look for when assessing affordability.
This depends on the lender, but commonly requested documents include recent bank statements, evidence of ongoing work or contracts, and a history of consistent income. Some lenders may also request a reference from your contractor.
Not always. While some lenders group subcontractors with self-employed applicants, others assess subcontracted income separately, especially where the work is regular and long-term. This difference in approach is why lender selection matters.
In some cases, yes. When subcontracted income is presented clearly and shows consistency, certain high-street lenders are willing to consider it. In other cases, specialist lenders may be more suitable. The right option depends on how your income is structured.
Working for multiple contractors doesn’t automatically stop you getting a mortgage. Lenders will usually focus on total income, consistency, and how long you’ve been working in the trade overall.
Gaps in work can affect how lenders view your income, especially if they are frequent or recent. That said, short or seasonal gaps are often acceptable if your overall income pattern is consistent.
Yes. Subcontracted income often falls outside standard criteria, so using a broker who understands which lenders accept this type of income can save time and prevent unnecessary rejections.
Being paid weekly but not on payroll doesn’t automatically put homeownership out of reach.
For many subcontractors, the issue isn’t income strength, it’s how that income is viewed. With the right lender and the right advice, subcontracted income can open more doors than you might expect.
If you’ve been told to wait, or you’ve been given conflicting advice, it’s often worth getting a second opinion before assuming the answer is no.
If you’re a subcontractor paid regularly but not on PAYE, a quick review could confirm whether your income can be used now, not years down the line.
Speak to one of our mortgage adviser for clear, no-pressure guidance based on your exact situation.
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