Can You Get a Mortgage While on Probation?

Starting a new job on probation doesn't stop you getting a mortgage — it just narrows the lender choice. Of the 74 lenders whose published criteria we track and that cover probation, 47 accept probation applicants with a signed permanent contract, though 15 of them want 3–6 months in the job first. 14 more consider it case by case or only with conditions. 5 won't consider you until probation is over and 8 more need it finished before completion. Here's who says yes, who makes you wait, and the supporting documents you'll need. Last reviewed October 2026.

Quick answer

Yes — starting a new job on probation doesn't stop you getting a UK mortgage. Of the 74 lenders whose published criteria we track and that cover probation, 47 accept probation applicants with a signed permanent contract, though 15 of them want 3–6 months in the job first. Those with no published minimum time in the job include Halifax, Nationwide, HSBC, Barclays, Santander, Leeds BS, Accord, TSB and Virgin Money. 14 more consider it case by case or only with conditions. 5 won't consider you until probation is over and 8 more need it finished before completion.

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The Mortgage Probation Period: What Lenders Mean by "Probation"

Probation in employment law is just an initial period during which either party can end the employment with shorter notice than the substantive contract would require — typically 3, 6 or 12 months. Most lenders care about two things:

Do you have a signed permanent employment contract? (Not fixed-term.)
Is there any evidence your previous job was continuous with this one (same industry, promoted role, same employer group)?

At most lenders, "how long into probation" matters less than applicants often assume, though some want a few months in the job first and a few won't lend until it's over.

Can I Get a Mortgage in My Probation Period?

Usually. Being in your probation period doesn't rule you out at most lenders: 47 of the 74 whose published criteria cover probation accept it with a signed permanent contract, though 15 of them want 3–6 months in the job first. 14 more consider it case by case or only with conditions. 5 won't consider you until probation is over and 8 more need it finished before completion.

How far into probation you are matters at some lenders: a few won't take an application until it's over, and others need it passed before completion. See the lender-by-lender table below for who accepts probation with no extra conditions and who makes you wait. If you're buying with a partner who is past probation, their settled income carries more of the assessment.

Lenders by Probation Position: Every Lender We Track

Generated 2026-10-12 from our lender criteria dataset (verified 2026-10-12), covering the 74 of 75 lenders whose published criteria address a minimum employment tenure. Always check lender-specific rules before applying, as these change.

No minimum time in the job (5 lenders)

Accord
Co-operative Bank
Foundation (first-time buyers: 6 months' history with any employer, or less if still with their first employer)
Hodge
Vida (3 months' continuous employment history)

3 months in the current job (8 lenders)

Aldermore
Dudley BS (6 months' continuous employment, plus 3 months with the current employer if the new job has a probation period)
Ecology BS
Melton BS (12 months' continuous employment and 3 months in the current role; probation considered on the same terms)
Perenna (not available in the first 3 months of a new job)
Principality
West Brom (3 months with the current employer plus 12 months' continuous employment)
West One (probation acceptable once 3 months in the role)

6 months in the current job (7 lenders)

Gatehouse
Metro Bank
NatWest
Scottish BS (or under 6 months if employed for the 12 months immediately before)
Skipton
Tipton & Coseley BS
UTB

Accepts probation, no minimum time in the job published (27 lenders)

Atom Bank (12 months' prior employment if under 6 months in the role)
Bank of Ireland
Barclays (3 months' continuous employment, any employer)
Central Trust
Coutts
Cumberland BS
HSBC
Halifax
Hanley BS (12 months' continuous employment, in a similar role)
Kensington
LG Home Finance (over-55s: retirement interest-only only)
Leeds BS (6 months' continuous employment, including probation)
Lendinvest
Livemore (borrowers aged 40+ only)
Market Harborough BS (12 months' continuous employment history)
Monmouthshire BS (new business temporarily paused)
Nationwide
Newbury BS (3 years' continuous employment history)
Norton
Nottingham BS (no minimum when staying in the same industry with no gap; 3 months after a change of industry or a gap)
Progressive BS (Northern Ireland only)
Saffron BS (2 years' continuous employment history)
Santander
TSB
Teachers BS
Together (no minimum in the current job with 12 months' continuous employment; otherwise 6 months in the role)
Virgin Money

Only on a specialist range or with limits (8 lenders)

Cambridge BS (80% LTV maximum)
Furness BS (probation considered if with the previous employer for at least 12 months, no gap and the same line of work; min income £20,000; over 80% LTV or under 3 months in the role referred to a senior underwriter)
Harpenden BS (probation accepted only where the CV shows career progression and the previous 2 years' income was at a similar level; otherwise 3 months in the job with probation completed)
Hinckley & Rugby BS (not on the standard range; Income Flex considers a similar role or promotion)
Loughborough BS (12 months' employment history; on probation, 2 years' history or stable employment, meaning similar work or no more than two other employers in the last two years; 6 months in the role only if coming from full-time education or training)
Mansfield BS (Versatility range up to 85% LTV and Versatility Plus up to 80%: from day one in the job; standard range: 3 months with the current employer and more than 12 months' continuous employment, and above 85% LTV probation must be completed)
Marsden BS (like-for-like role with no gap; above 80% LTV probation must be completed)
Pepper (Pepper Flex range only, adds a £1,000-£2,500 fee)

Case-by-case referral (6 lenders)

Beverley BS
Chorley BS
Coventry BS
Family BS (similar role only, at underwriter discretion; normally expects probation completed; 3 years' continuous employment history)
Generation Home
Newcastle BS

Can apply, but probation must end before completion (8 lenders)

Bath BS (probation must be completed before drawdown, as a condition of the offer; 12 months' continuous employment history)
Bluestone (not in any probationary period on completion; more than 6 months' continuous employment)
Buckinghamshire BS (probation must be passed before completion)
Darlington BS (probation accepted with a track record in a similar role; otherwise, if employed under 6 months, no offer until the employer confirms probation is passed)
Penrith BS (probation must be passed before completion; 12 months' continuous employment history)
Stafford BS (probation need not be completed only if the new job is in the same industry or sector)
Suffolk BS (probation must end before completion and the previous job must be in the same field; 12 months' continuous employment history)
Vernon BS (probation must be completed before completion, unless moving within the same profession; 12 months' continuous employment history)

Won't consider you while on probation (5 lenders)

AIB (Northern Ireland only) (under 6 months in the job, the employer must confirm probation is complete)
Earl Shilton BS (probationary periods not accepted)
Precise (applicants in a probationary period not acceptable)
Swansea BS (accepted for doctors only; otherwise probation must be passed)
The Mortgage Lender (must have satisfied any probationary period at application)

Documents You'll Need

Signed permanent employment contract (with salary, probation length, notice period, start date)
Latest 1–3 payslips (depends on lender; pre-start applicants submit on first payslip)
3 months of bank statements showing the previous salary arriving before the job change
Optional but helpful: a short letter from the new employer confirming the start date, role, and expected probation outcome
If you've moved industry: any evidence that your prior skills transfer (LinkedIn recommendations, training certifications)

Does It Matter If Your Probation Is 3, 6 or 12 Months?

Less than most applicants assume. Few lenders count down your probation calendar — what they actually check is whether you have a signed permanent contract and, if you're new to the role or industry, some evidence of continuity beforehand. That prior-history requirement is where lenders really differ, and it varies far more than probation length itself:

No minimum time in the job: 5 lenders, including Accord, Co-operative Bank and Foundation.
3 months in the current job: 8 lenders, including Aldermore, Dudley BS and Ecology BS.
6 months in the current job: 7 lenders, including Gatehouse, Metro Bank and NatWest.
A minimum employment history with any employer, as well as or instead of time in the job: for example 12 months at Melton BS, West Brom and Hanley BS.
Case-by-case: 6 lenders want evidence of continuity from your previous job, including Beverley BS, Chorley BS and Coventry BS.

So a 3-week probation with 12 months of continuous prior employment in the same field can pass at more lenders than a 5-month probation following a career change with no comparable history. It's the track record either side of the job move that most lenders are underwriting, not the calendar.

Lenders That Disregard Probation

A handful of lenders' published criteria say probation itself can be disregarded once you have a signed permanent contract (some also want your first payslip):

Accord: employment must be permanent with no minimum tenure required — all probationary periods can be disregarded.
TSB: probationary contracts accepted at 100% of income, without reduction.
Virgin Money: probation accepted with a permanent contract and first payslip, regardless of the standard 6-month tenure test.
Nationwide: applicants in a probation period are simply listed as acceptable.

These sit at the flexible end of the lenders we track. The lenders whose criteria state no minimum time in the job are in the "No minimum time in the job" group in the table above. Most of the rest will still lend on probation, but expect to be asked for some continuity evidence first.

Common Mistakes

Applying to a Lender That Doesn't Accept Probation

A hard search stays on your credit file for 12 months. Running an affordability check across all 57 lenders we check before applying helps you avoid wasting a search on a lender whose criteria don't fit.

Not Declaring the Probation

Lenders check employment with HR or via Experian's employment-verification product. Undeclared probation coming out in underwriting is likely to lead to a decline. Declare upfront.

Applying Before the Contract Is Signed

An offer letter isn't enough for most lenders. A fully signed contract (both parties, all pages) is the minimum. If your contract hasn't arrived yet, wait — a rushed application with a missing contract will be withdrawn by the lender.

Can I Remortgage While I'm on Probation?

Usually, yes. If you're staying with your existing lender through a product transfer, being on probation is unlikely to matter — most lenders don't re-run a full affordability check for a like-for-like product transfer. Moving to a new lender means a full remortgage, which reassesses your probation exactly as it would for a purchase application.

Product Transfer (Staying with Your Lender)

Switching to a new rate with your current lender is normally a product transfer rather than a new mortgage application. Product transfers typically don't involve a fresh affordability assessment, so being mid-probation on a new job usually doesn't affect the rate on offer — though it's worth confirming with your lender directly, since policies vary.

Full Remortgage (Moving to a New Lender)

Moving your mortgage to a different lender is a full remortgage, and the new lender will assess your probation exactly as it would for a purchase — using the same signed-contract and continuity evidence covered above. Check the lender-by-lender table above before applying so you don't waste a credit search on a lender that won't accept probation.

See Remortgage Affordability for how the two compare and how lenders assess a full remortgage application.

Original data · our Lender Lottery study

In our 29 August 2026 run, for a Professional, £80,000, our calculator estimated a maximum of £516,147 at Hodge Bank but only £292,652 at Dudley Building Society, a £223,495 (76%) difference based purely on each lender's published criteria, with no change to income, deposit or circumstances. These are estimates, not offers. Lenders have raised rates since, so today's figures may be lower.

Source: original data from our affordability engine across UK residential lenders.

See Which Probation-Friendly Lender Could Lend the Most

Our tool shows what each lender's affordability calculation gives you; use the lender lists above for each lender's probation position. Results in about 5 minutes, no credit search.

Run My Affordability Check

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a mortgage while on probation?

Yes, at most lenders. Of the 74 lenders whose published criteria we track and that cover probation, 47 will consider applicants on probation with a signed permanent contract (15 of them only after 3–6 months in the job) and 14 more consider it case by case or only with conditions (a specialist range, an LTV cap or a similar role). 5 won't consider you while you're still on probation (AIB (Northern Ireland only), Earl Shilton BS, Precise, Swansea BS and The Mortgage Lender) and 8 more let you apply but need it finished before completion (Bath BS, Bluestone, Buckinghamshire BS, Darlington BS, Penrith BS, Stafford BS, Suffolk BS and Vernon BS).

Which UK lenders accept probation?

Lenders typically comfortable with probation include Halifax, Nationwide, HSBC, Barclays, Santander, Leeds BS, Accord, TSB and Virgin Money. Others, including Beverley BS, Chorley BS and Coventry BS, assess probation case-by-case rather than accepting it outright, and some (such as Cambridge BS, Furness BS and Harpenden BS) accept it only on a specialist range or with limits. 5 won't consider you while you're still on probation (AIB (Northern Ireland only), Earl Shilton BS, Precise, Swansea BS and The Mortgage Lender) and 8 more let you apply but need it finished before completion (Bath BS, Bluestone, Buckinghamshire BS, Darlington BS, Penrith BS, Stafford BS, Suffolk BS and Vernon BS). The exact list changes — check lender-by-lender before applying, and see the full table below.

Can I get a mortgage in my probation period?

Can I remortgage while I'm on probation?

Usually, yes. A product transfer with your existing lender typically doesn't involve a fresh affordability check, so probation is unlikely to affect it — though check with your lender directly, since policies vary. Moving to a new lender is a full remortgage, which assesses your probation exactly as it would for a purchase application.

Does it matter how long I've been in probation?

It can. Many lenders care more about the signed permanent contract than elapsed weeks, but 15 of the 47 that accept probation want 3–6 months in the job first. 5 won't consider you until probation is over and 8 more need it finished before completion. If you're 4 weeks into a 6-month probation with a signed permanent contract on £45k, you can still apply to the lenders that publish no minimum time in the job: see the table below.

What if I'm about to start a new job?

Some lenders accept applications with a signed contract for a job starting within the next 3 months, so long as you have a start date. Nationwide and Accord, for example, both publish this in their criteria. Some require your first payslip; others accept the contract alone.

Is probation a bigger issue if I've changed industry?

Potentially. Lenders look for employment continuity. Moving from a £40k IT role to a £55k IT role in probation is low-risk. Moving from a £40k bartender role to a £55k sales-commission role in probation with variable income is higher-risk. In the second case, expect to be asked for 3–12 months' evidence of earnings.

Does it matter if my probation is 3, 6 or 12 months long?

Less than the length of your employment history. Most lenders don't count down your probation calendar — they check whether you have a signed permanent contract and, if you're new to the role or industry, a track record beforehand. Among the 47 lenders that accept probation as standard, 5 lenders set no minimum time in the job, 8 lenders want 3 months and 7 lenders want 6 months (including Gatehouse, Metro Bank and NatWest). Some set a minimum employment history with any employer, as well as or instead of time in the job, for example 12 months at Melton BS, West Brom and Hanley BS. A handful — Accord, TSB, Virgin Money and Nationwide — accept probation once you have a signed permanent contract (some also want your first payslip).

Which lenders disregard probation altogether?

Accord states employment must be permanent with no minimum tenure required and all probationary periods can be disregarded. TSB accepts probationary contracts at 100% of income without reduction. Virgin Money accepts probation once you have a permanent contract and first payslip, regardless of your 6-month tenure. Nationwide simply lists applicants in a probation period as acceptable. Separately, Accord, Co-operative Bank, Foundation, Hodge and Vida publish no minimum time in the job (some still want a few months' employment history). Most other lenders still want some evidence of continuity, as above.

Related Guides

Written & reviewed byPhillip Wakeling-Smith— Mortgage Adviser (CeMAP)

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