Affordability: Can I get a mortgage on maternity leave?

House-hunting is already a big undertaking, and maternity leave can add extra uncertainty, especially if your income is temporarily lower. The good news is that getting a mortgage while you’re on maternity leave is often possible.

In most cases, lenders will assess affordability using the income they can verify for the period you’re applying, which may mean your application is considered differently than if you were working full-time.

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Mortgage guide for maternity leave

How does being on maternity leave affect my mortgage application?

The main factor is income. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders typically calculate how much you can borrow by looking at your monthly income and outgoings. If your income has reduced due to maternity leave, that can reduce the amount you’re able to borrow.

What income will lenders use?

Lender approaches can vary, but common scenarios include:

Maternity pay is your current income: Many lenders will base affordability on verified maternity earnings.
You’re returning to work soon: Some lenders may consider your usual salary if you can provide suitable evidence about your return and expected earnings.
Your employment terms may change: If your hours or pay will change after you return (for example, moving to part-time), lenders may use the new expected income.

Because lender criteria vary, the same set of circumstances can lead to different outcomes depending on who you apply with.

Joint applications

If you’re applying jointly and one applicant is on maternity leave, lenders may consider both applicants’ incomes. In many cases, the lender will still need evidence for the applicant on leave and may look closely at whether the other applicant’s income can support the overall affordability calculation.

If you’re relying on the applicant returning to work, it’s important that the evidence is clear and consistent with what you’re stating in the application.

Credit history and application timing

Mortgage applications are assessed against your credit profile. Maternity leave itself doesn’t automatically damage your credit file, but repeated unsuccessful applications can be unhelpful.

A well-prepared application, supported by the right documentation, can help reduce the risk of unnecessary rejections.

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

Can I get a mortgage if I’m self-employed on maternity leave?

It can be possible, but the lender will usually want to understand how maternity leave affects your business income.

For self-employed applicants, lenders often look at:

Whether the business continues to generate income while you’re on leave
How your accounts and income figures reflect the period of leave
Whether your income is expected to stabilise when you return

If your business income is likely to be impacted for a period, some lenders may be cautious. Others may be more comfortable where there’s evidence of ongoing trading, retained client income, or a clear plan for how income will be supported while you’re away.

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

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.

How much deposit will I need?

Deposit requirements depend on the lender, the property, and your overall application. In general, a larger deposit can help widen the range of mortgage options available.

When you’re on maternity leave, lenders may also consider how your affordability looks with your reduced income. If the affordability calculation is tighter, a bigger deposit can sometimes make the overall application more workable.

Your deposit also affects your loan-to-value (LTV). Read more about loan-to-value.

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No mortgage borrowing needed

With these figures, the property value is fully covered by your deposit or equity. No mortgage borrowing is required.

Small mortgage amount

Fewer lenders offer mortgages below £25,000, so your options may be limited. Product and legal fees can also have a greater impact on the overall cost of a smaller mortgage.

Low property value

Fewer lenders offer mortgages on properties valued below £50,000. Minimum property values vary by lender and property type.

Buying to let?

If this is a buy-to-let purchase, most lenders cap borrowing at 75–80% loan-to-value, with some specialist options reaching 85%. This cap applies to buy-to-let mortgages only — residential lending typically extends to 95%.

High-LTV residential mortgage

Residential mortgages above 95% LTV have limited availability and often require a specialist mortgage product or scheme. Talk to your mortgage adviser about your options.

No deposit or equity buffer

You have no deposit or equity buffer. A fall in the property's value could leave you owing more than it is worth. No-deposit residential mortgages have limited availability and specific eligibility requirements. Speak to your mortgage adviser.

Do I need to tell a lender if I’m pregnant or on maternity leave?

Yes. Mortgage applications require you to disclose relevant changes that could affect your ability to repay the loan. Pregnancy and maternity leave are typically considered significant circumstances.

Even if you’re not asked directly in the form of a single question, you may be asked to declare major life events or changes to employment and income. Being upfront and providing supporting details helps the lender assess your situation accurately.

How can I improve my chances of getting accepted on maternity leave?

While there’s no single guaranteed approach, certain steps often strengthen an application where income is temporarily reduced.

Provide clear evidence of your return to work

If you expect to return to your employer, documentation can be important. Lenders commonly want confirmation that you’ll return and that your earnings will be at a level that supports affordability.

Useful information to have to hand may include:

Your expected return date
Confirmation of your role
Details of hours and salary (or how they’ll change)

If you’re moving from full-time work to part-time, or if your pay will change, your application should reflect that. Lenders will usually assess based on the income they can verify and the income they expect going forward.

Keep your credit profile stable

Try to avoid unnecessary changes to your finances during the application period. Paying bills on time, keeping existing accounts in good standing, and avoiding new credit commitments can help present a clearer picture of affordability.

Review your credit report before applying so you can check what lenders may see. See credit reports and mortgage applications.

Consider how the mortgage term affects affordability

Even without changing your income, the structure of the mortgage can affect monthly repayments. A lender may be more comfortable with a repayment level that fits within your verified affordability.

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.

Can I get a mortgage if I’m on maternity leave and have bad credit?

It may still be possible. Bad credit doesn’t automatically prevent a mortgage, but it can make the application more complex and may affect the range of lenders willing to consider your circumstances.

When you’re on maternity leave as well, affordability becomes even more important. Lenders may look at how recent the credit issues are, how severe they were, and whether your current financial position is stable.

In many cases, specialist mortgage lenders may be better suited to complex situations, particularly where income is temporarily lower and credit history needs careful consideration.

Can I remortgage on maternity leave?

Yes, remortgaging while on maternity leave is possible. The process is broadly similar to an initial mortgage application in that affordability and income evidence still matter.

Remortgaging can be useful if your current deal is ending or if you’re looking to change the terms of your mortgage. As with a first-time application, the lender will typically assess your ability to repay based on the income they can verify at the time.

If you’re considering a new deal, see remortgage eligibility.

If you’re unsure how your income will be assessed, speaking to a mortgage broker can help you understand the likely approach and the options available to you.

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