Which Lenders Accept Overtime, Bonus & Commission?
Every UK lender treats variable income differently. Some accept 100% of your overtime; others just 50%. On a £40,000 base with £8,000 regular overtime, the wrong lender costs you up to £20,000 of borrowing. Here's the full breakdown across 20+ major UK lenders.
Overtime — What Each Lender Accepts
Percentage of regular, evidenced overtime counted toward mortgage affordability.
| Lender | Overtime % | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 100% | 3 months payslips |
| Nationwide | 100% | 3 months payslips |
| Clydesdale | 100% | 3 months payslips |
| TSB | 100% | 3 months payslips |
| Accord Mortgages | 100% | 3 months payslips |
| Skipton BS | 100% | 3 months payslips |
| Virgin Money | 75% | 3 months payslips |
| Coventry BS | 75% | 3 months payslips |
| Santander | 60% | 3 months payslips |
| Barclays | 50% | 3 months + P60 |
| HSBC | 50% | 3 months + P60 |
| NatWest | 50% | 3 months + P60 |
| Leeds BS | 50% | 3 months payslips |
| Principality BS | 50% | 3 months payslips |
Published criteria, April 2026. Percentages apply to regular overtime on a standard residential mortgage; irregular or one-off overtime may be treated differently.
Bonus — Guaranteed vs Discretionary
Most lenders split bonus into two categories. Guaranteed (contractual) bonuses are almost universally accepted at 100%. Discretionary bonuses are more varied.
| Lender | Guaranteed | Discretionary | History |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 100% | 60% | 2 years P60 |
| Nationwide | 100% | 60% | 2 years P60 |
| Accord Mortgages | 100% | 60% | 2 years P60 |
| Clydesdale | 100% | 60% | 2 years P60 |
| HSBC | 100% | 50% | 2 years P60 |
| Santander | 100% | 60% | 2 years P60 |
| Virgin Money | 100% | 50% | 2 years P60 |
| Coventry BS | 100% | 50% | 2 years P60 |
| TSB | 100% | 60% | 2 years P60 |
| Barclays | 50% | 50% | 2 years P60 |
| NatWest | 50% | 50% | 2 years P60 |
| Skipton BS | 100% | 50% | 2 years P60 |
| Leeds BS | 100% | 50% | 2 years P60 |
Commission — How Lenders Average It
Commission is almost always averaged, but the window and percentage vary. Regular monthly commission is treated better than lumpy quarterly payments.
| Lender | Commission % | Averaging |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 100% | Latest year or 2-year avg (higher) |
| Nationwide | 100% | 2-year average |
| Accord Mortgages | 100% | 2-year average |
| Clydesdale | 100% | 2-year average |
| Coventry BS | 75% | 2-year average |
| TSB | 60% | 2-year average |
| Santander | 60% | 2-year average |
| Virgin Money | 60% | 2-year average |
| HSBC | 50% | 2-year average |
| Barclays | 50% | 2-year average |
| NatWest | 50% | 2-year average |
| Skipton BS | 100% | Latest year |
| Leeds BS | 50% | 2-year average |
Worked Example: £40,000 Base + £8,000 Overtime
A 25-year repayment mortgage, single employed applicant, no debts, 15% deposit.
| Lender | Income Used | Max Lend |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax (100% overtime) | £48,000 | £264,000 |
| Nationwide (100% overtime) | £48,000 | £262,800 |
| Santander (60% overtime) | £44,800 | £245,500 |
| Barclays (50% overtime) | £44,000 | £240,000 |
| HSBC standard (50% overtime) | £44,000 | £237,600 |
The £24,000 gap between Halifax and HSBC is entirely due to how overtime is treated. Same applicant, same application, wildly different outcomes.
Tips to Maximise Variable Income Treatment
- Always ask for a breakdown on your payslip — if your lender can't see the overtime or commission as a separate line, they'll often ignore it.
- Apply when your latest year is at its strongest. Lenders averaging 2 years will use the higher figure if the most recent year beats the average.
- Get your contract amended to make a bonus 'guaranteed' if possible — the jump from 50% to 100% can be worth £20,000+ of borrowing.
- If your overtime varies significantly month-to-month, request a 6-month average employer letter. Some lenders (Clydesdale, Accord) will accept this instead of payslips.
- Choose the lender before you apply. We can show you which lender treats your income mix most favourably before any credit search.
See Which Lender Gives You the Most
Enter your base salary, overtime, bonus and commission. We'll show you each lender's offer side-by-side so you pick the one that counts your income in full.
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