Mortgage on maternity leave: can you get a mortgage?

If you’re on maternity leave and you’re wondering whether you can still buy a home (or remortgage), the good news is that maternity leave itself doesn’t automatically stop you. Mortgage decisions are usually driven by affordability—based on what you can pay now and what the lender expects you’ll be able to pay in the future.

This guide explains how lenders typically look at income during maternity leave, what paperwork is commonly requested, and the key factors that can affect the outcome.

How lenders assess affordability during maternity leave

When you apply for a mortgage while you’re on maternity leave, lenders generally focus on two timeframes:

• Your income during maternity leave
• Your expected income after you return to work

Because maternity pay can be lower than your usual salary, the period you’re currently in may reduce the income figure used for affordability—depending on the lender’s approach and how clearly your return-to-work position is evidenced.

In practice, lenders will want to understand:

• what you’re receiving right now (for example, statutory maternity pay and any employer top-up)
• when you plan to return to work
• whether you’ll return full-time or part-time
• what your income will look like after you return

What evidence will you usually need?

Paperwork requirements can vary by lender, but the most common items include:

• Payslips showing your earnings before you went on maternity leave
• Payslips during maternity leave (where available)
• Details of your return-to-work date
• Information about your expected pay after maternity leave

If your employer provides a top-up on top of statutory maternity pay, lenders may still want evidence of what you’re actually receiving.

If you’re returning part-time

If you’re planning to return to work part-time, lenders typically want clarity on:

• your new working pattern
• the salary you expect to receive on that basis
• how any childcare costs may affect your overall monthly outgoings

Does pregnancy need to be disclosed?

Mortgage applications should be completed with accurate, factual information. Lenders usually don’t ask a direct “are you pregnant?” question, but they may ask about whether you anticipate any changes to your circumstances.

If you’re aware that your circumstances may change (for example, you’re pregnant and expecting to take maternity leave), it’s important that the application reflects that reality in the way the lender expects.

Will a mortgage be harder to get on maternity leave?

It can be more complex, but it’s not necessarily harder in every case. The outcome often depends on how the lender views the affordability picture.

Two applicants with similar jobs and similar plans can see different results depending on:

• whether the lender uses maternity pay versus expected return income for affordability
• how clearly the return-to-work plan is evidenced
• whether the lender is comfortable with the length of time you’ll be on reduced income

How much deposit do you need?

Deposit requirements are generally not fundamentally different just because you’re on maternity leave. Lenders usually apply their standard residential mortgage approach to deposits.

If your income is temporarily reduced, it can be helpful to consider how your deposit and savings can support the overall affordability picture—particularly if monthly payments may feel tighter during the maternity leave period.

Joint applications and maternity leave

If you’re applying with a partner, lenders typically assess affordability based on combined household income, but they will still consider the maternity leave position for the applicant who is currently on leave.

What tends to matter is whether you can evidence:

• the return-to-work date
• the expected income after maternity leave
• any savings that could support monthly payments during the transition

If the other applicant has adverse credit or a limited income profile, that can affect the overall application regardless of maternity leave.

Remortgaging on maternity leave

Remortgaging can feel different because affordability is assessed against your current circumstances and the lender’s view of your future repayment risk.

If you previously qualified based on your normal salary, a remortgage during maternity leave may be assessed more conservatively—depending on the lender’s approach to income.

This can influence:

• whether you can switch to a new deal
• the size of the mortgage you can refinance
• options if you want to borrow additional funds

Can you pause mortgage payments while on maternity leave?

If you’re struggling, it may be possible to discuss payment options with your lender, but it’s important not to simply stop payments without an arrangement.

Lenders generally expect you to contact them to agree any changes. Suspending payments without permission can lead to arrears and may damage your credit profile.

Self-employed and maternity leave

If you’re self-employed, lenders often assess income differently from employed applicants.

Instead of relying on payslips, lenders may look at historic trading information such as:

• company profits
• salary and dividends (where applicable)
• accounts and supporting evidence

Maternity leave can still affect the affordability picture, but the key factor is how the lender interprets the most recent trading period and whether it reflects a temporary change or a longer-term reduction.

Steps that can improve your chances

While every lender has its own approach, these practical steps can help your application be easier to assess:

• Keep your credit profile in good order and avoid missed payments on any existing credit.
• Be clear and consistent about your return-to-work plan, including dates and working pattern.
• Gather the documents lenders are likely to ask for (especially evidence of income before and during maternity leave).
• Consider your full monthly picture, including childcare costs and any other commitments.

Key takeaways

• You can often apply for a mortgage while on maternity leave, but the decision is usually based on affordability.
• Lenders typically assess both current maternity income and expected income after you return.
• Clear evidence of your return-to-work date and expected pay is central to the underwriting process.
• Deposit requirements are usually similar to other residential applications.
• Remortgaging during maternity leave may be assessed more cautiously depending on how income is calculated.

How a mortgage broker can help (without changing your circumstances)

A broker can help you understand how your maternity leave situation may be viewed across different lenders and how the application can be presented with the right supporting information.

Because lender policies can vary, getting the details right—particularly around return-to-work plans and income evidence—can make a meaningful difference to how smoothly the application is assessed.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with your mortgage repayments.