If you work on a zero-hours contract, you may have been told that getting a mortgage will be difficult. In reality, there is no single rule used by every UK mortgage lender.

Some lenders may consider applicants with zero-hours income where there is sufficient evidence of regular earnings and an established employment history. Others may apply different criteria or require a longer track record.

This is why speaking to a mortgage broker can be particularly useful. Rather than approaching lenders at random, an adviser can assess your circumstances and look for lenders whose criteria may be appropriate for the way you earn.

How Much Can I Borrow on a Zero-Hours Contract?

There is no single amount that someone on a zero-hours contract can borrow. Mortgage affordability depends on the lender and your individual financial circumstances.

A lender will typically consider your assessable income alongside your regular financial commitments, credit profile, deposit and the mortgage term. The important question for a zero-hours worker is often how much of their income a particular lender is prepared to use.

For example, if your hours vary from month to month, a lender may want to look at your earnings over a period of time rather than relying on one particularly strong payslip.

This means two people earning broadly the same amount could receive different affordability results depending on their income history and wider circumstances.

How Long Do I Need to Have Been on a Zero-Hours Contract?

Lender requirements vary. Some lenders may want evidence showing that you have been receiving zero-hours income consistently for a particular period, while others may consider your wider employment history.

If you have recently started a new zero-hours role but have a longer history working in the same occupation or sector, it is worth discussing this with a mortgage adviser rather than assuming that you cannot apply.

What Documents Could I Need?

The documents requested will depend on the lender and your circumstances, but you should be prepared to provide evidence that helps demonstrate your income and financial position.

• Recent payslips
• Bank statements showing your income
• Your zero-hours employment contract, where required
• Evidence of your employment history
• Proof of your deposit
• Identification and address documents

Additional evidence may be requested depending on your employment arrangement, the lender and the complexity of your application.

Can I Get a First-Time Buyer Mortgage on a Zero-Hours Contract?

Being both a first-time buyer and a zero-hours worker does not necessarily prevent you from getting a mortgage.

The lender will still need to be satisfied that the mortgage is affordable. Your deposit, income history, credit profile and regular financial commitments can all influence the options available to you.

If you are buying your first property, Gordon Blair can also guide you through the wider mortgage process, including affordability, deposits, agreements in principle and the mortgage application itself.

You can also read our first-time buyer mortgage guide .

Can I Get a Mortgage if My Hours Change Every Week?

Potentially. Variable working hours are common for people employed on zero-hours contracts. The challenge is demonstrating your earnings in a way that satisfies the lender's affordability and income criteria.

Rather than looking only at your contracted hours, a lender may consider your actual earnings history. The exact calculation and evidence required varies between lenders.

Can Overtime and Additional Hours Count Towards My Mortgage?

Depending on the lender, regular additional earnings may be considered when assessing affordability. However, lenders do not necessarily treat variable income in the same way.

How long you have received the income, how consistent it has been and the evidence available can all matter.

Can I Get a Mortgage With a Zero-Hours Contract and Bad Credit?

A zero-hours contract combined with previous credit problems can make an application more complex, but it does not automatically mean that a mortgage is impossible.

The type of credit issue, how recent it was, its value and whether it has been satisfied can all be relevant. Your current income, deposit and overall financial position will also need to be considered.

In more complicated circumstances, checking lender criteria before submitting an application can be particularly important.

Does Having a Bigger Deposit Help?

Your deposit is an important part of any mortgage application. A larger deposit reduces the proportion of the property's value that you need to borrow and may give you access to a wider range of mortgage products.

However, a larger deposit does not replace the lender's affordability assessment. Your income still needs to meet the lender's requirements for the mortgage you are requesting.

Why Use a Mortgage Broker if You're on a Zero-Hours Contract?

The main difficulty with zero-hours contract mortgages is that lender criteria can differ. A lender that is unsuitable for one applicant may be entirely reasonable for another depending on their employment and income history.

Gordon Blair can review your circumstances before an application is made and help you understand the mortgage options that may be available.

• Review how your zero-hours income may be assessed
• Consider lenders whose criteria fit your circumstances
• Explain how much you may be able to borrow
• Help you prepare the documents required for an application
• Support you from the initial enquiry through to mortgage application

If you are unsure whether your employment will be accepted, it can make sense to check your options before submitting applications directly to multiple lenders.