Getting a mortgage with a new job

Starting a new job doesn’t automatically rule you out of getting a mortgage. It can, however, change how lenders view risk—especially if you’re early in the role or still within a probationary period. The good news is that mortgage decisions are based on more than just your current employment start date.

In this guide, you’ll find an overview of what lenders typically look for, the most common scenarios (including probation and job offer letters), and the documents that can strengthen your application.

Can you get a mortgage if you’ve just started a new job?

Yes. Many lenders will consider applications from borrowers who have recently changed jobs, but their policies vary.

When you’re in a new role, lenders usually focus on:

• How long you’ve been employed overall (not just in the latest job)
• Whether you’ve passed probation (or how much probation remains)
• Whether the new role is permanent or fixed-term
• Whether the new job is similar to your previous work (or whether you’re switching industries)
• Your income consistency and whether it’s likely to continue
• Your credit history and existing financial commitments

Because policies differ, it’s possible to be declined by one lender and accepted by another.

How long do you need to have been in your job?

There isn’t one universal rule, but a stable employment history is generally helpful.

Many lenders prefer to see a period of employment in the new role—often around three to six months—particularly where income and job stability are being assessed. That said, some lenders may consider applications earlier, especially where you can evidence strong job security.

If you’re applying very soon after starting, your application may be more dependent on supporting factors such as:

• A permanent contract (or a fixed-term contract with clear end dates)
• A signed employment contract
• Payslips if you’ve already started
• Relevant experience in a similar role or industry
• A strong credit profile
• A deposit size that reduces the lender’s risk

Should you wait to apply?

Whether you should apply immediately or wait depends on your circumstances.

Waiting can sometimes help because it gives you time to pass probation and build a track record of payslips in the new job. However, applying too soon can be challenging if the lender requires evidence you don’t yet have.

A practical approach is to consider:

• What evidence you can provide now (contract, payslips, employment references)
• How close you are to probation ending
• Whether your new income is already in place
• Your timeline to purchase (and whether delays could affect the property chain)

If you’ve been in a job less than three months

This is often one of the hardest stages for lenders, because they may want to verify income and stability.

If you’re under three months, you’ll typically need to rely on stronger documentation and context, such as:

• Evidence of a permanent role (where applicable)
• A signed contract showing start date and salary
• Payslips if you’ve already started
• A consistent work history before the new role
• Proof that the new job is like-for-like or a logical progression

Even with these, some lenders may still decline—so it’s important to match your application to lenders whose policies fit your situation.

If you’re in a probationary period

Probation can make lenders more cautious because employment may be easier to end during this period.

Lenders may treat probation differently depending on:

• How long probation lasts and how much remains
• Whether the role is permanent or fixed-term
• Your employment track record and whether there are gaps
• Whether your new role is similar to your previous work

In some cases, lenders may still consider an application during probation, but you may need to provide additional evidence to demonstrate stability.

If you’ve been in a job for less than six months

As you approach six months, more lenders may be willing to consider your application because the perceived risk can reduce.

That said, the overall picture still matters. Lenders will look at your employment continuity and whether your income appears sustainable.

If you’ve just changed jobs

Changing jobs can be workable for a mortgage, particularly if your new role is secure and your overall employment history is strong.

To support your application, it helps to have a clear paper trail showing:

• Your new contract and start date
• How your new income compares to what you’ve earned previously
• Any gaps in employment and how they’re explained

If you’re relocating for work

Relocation itself usually isn’t the main issue—what matters is the employment change.

If you’re moving and taking a new job, lenders typically assess it in the same way as any other job change. If you’re relocating within the same employer, it can be simpler because your employment continuity remains.

If you’re self-employed

If your new job is self-employment, lenders often assess affordability differently from PAYE employment.

While some lenders may consider applications from people who are newly self-employed, they commonly look for evidence such as:

• Accounts or business records
• Proof of trading and income consistency
• Evidence of prior employment (where relevant)

If you’re moving from PAYE into self-employment, the transition period can affect how lenders view income stability.

If you’ve handed in your notice

If you’ve resigned from your previous job, it can affect how a lender views the stability of your income.

A lender may consider whether you’re still employed at the point of application, and what your future income will be. In practice, it’s often important to ensure your application clearly reflects your current employment status and that you can evidence your new income.

Eligibility criteria and lender requirements

Most mortgage applications will still be assessed using the usual factors, but with extra scrutiny on employment.

Alongside standard checks (credit history, affordability, and existing commitments), lenders may request evidence relating to your new job, such as:

• Employment contract (showing role, salary, and start date)
• Payslips (if you’ve started)
• Bank statements (to support income evidence)
• Proof of deposit
• Details of any probationary period

Because requirements vary, it’s helpful to prepare documents early so your application can be assessed without unnecessary delays.

How much could you borrow on a new salary?

Mortgage lenders typically calculate affordability based on your income and outgoings.

If your new job changes your earnings, your borrowing potential may change too. Lenders often use income multiples as part of their assessment, but the final decision depends on your overall affordability profile.

If your income is higher than your previous job, lenders may still want reassurance that it’s sustainable and evidenced.

Can you get a mortgage with a job offer letter?

A job offer letter can sometimes be relevant, particularly where you haven’t started the role yet.

Whether a lender will consider it depends on how the offer is structured and what evidence you can provide, for example:

• Whether the contract is signed
• The start date
• Whether the role is permanent or fixed-term
• Whether you have a strong employment history leading up to the offer

A larger deposit and a strong credit profile can also help reduce lender risk when you’re applying before you’ve started earning in the new role.

Common scenarios where extra care is needed

Some situations can make a mortgage application more complex when you’ve just started a new job. Extra attention is often needed if:

• You’re planning to leave your current job
• You’ve changed jobs within the last six months
• You’ve recently been made redundant or your employment has changed unexpectedly
• You’re still within a probationary period
• You’ve recently become self-employed

In these cases, the strongest applications usually combine clear documentation with a lender match based on policy.

What to prepare before you apply

If you’re buying a home while starting a new job, it can help to gather the essentials early:

• Your employment contract (and any details of probation)
• Payslips (if you’ve started)
• Evidence of income and any changes in earnings
• Details of your employment history (including any gaps)
• Information about your deposit and existing financial commitments

Having these ready can make the process smoother and reduce the risk of delays caused by missing evidence.