Which UK Lenders Accept 1 Year of Self-Employed Accounts?
Most UK lenders prefer 2+ years of accounts, but many will consider 1 year, usually with conditions: a lower maximum LTV, industry-matched prior employment, or an accountant's projection.
As of 2026-09-13, published criteria from 39 of the 75 UK lenders whose published criteria we track indicate they may consider this scenario — 4 high-street, 20 building societies and 15 specialist — with minimum deposits from 2.5%.
Data refreshed 2026-09-13. Information only — not advice.
Your situation
High Street Lenders
- Bank Of Ireland— Up to 90% LTV, Bespoke range only (loan £150,000+, one applicant earning £40,000+); standard range needs 2 years' SA302s
- Halifax— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- HSBC— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
Building Societies
- Beverley BS— Up to 80% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Chorley BS— Up to 95% LTV, under 2 years' trading considered with a qualified accountant's projection based on at least 6 months' trading after the latest finalised accounts
- Cumberland BS— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Dudley BS— Up to 90% LTV, 1 year's accounts plus an accountant's projection for the current year
- Earl Shilton BS— Up to 90% LTV
- Furness BS— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Hanley BS— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Harpenden BS— Up to 85% LTV, 1 year's accounts plus a projection, only if previously employed in the same line of work or moving from sole trader to limited company
- Hinckley Rugby BS— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Loughborough BS— Up to 80% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Mansfield BS— Up to 85% LTV on Versatility (80% on Versatility Plus) with 1 year's accounts; standard range needs 2 years
- Market Harborough BS— Loans from £200,000 only (property value from £250,000). Up to 80% LTV, 1 year's accounts accepted with an accountant's one-year projection (without an accountant, 3 years' HMRC evidence)
- Marsden BS— Up to 80% LTV, 1 year in business plus 2 years' prior experience in the same field
- Melton BS— Up to 95% LTV (interest-only up to 75%), 1 year's accounts if 12 months in the same line of work before self-employment, or professionals in an established partnership (max 90% LTV); subject to product availability
- Newbury BS— Up to 90% LTV, by exception: 1 year's accounts only with a 3-year earnings history in similar work (standard is 3 years, or 2 plus a projection)
- Newcastle BS— Up to 80% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Saffron BS— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Suffolk BS— Up to 90% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Swansea BS— Up to 80% LTV, 1 year's accounts considered by referral (prefers 2 years)
- Vernon BS— Up to 90% LTV (Complex Prime range): 12-23 months' self-employment (2 years on the standard range)
Specialist Lenders
- Aldermore— Up to 90% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Bluestone— Up to 90% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Foundation— Up to 90% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Generation Home— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Hodge— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Kensington— Up to 85% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Lendinvest— Up to 90% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Livemore— Borrowers aged 40+ only (RIO from 50). Up to 80% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Norton— Up to 85% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Pepper— Up to 90% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Precise— Up to 75% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- The Mortgage Lender— Up to 95% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Together— Up to 75% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- Vida— Up to 97% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
- West One— Up to 97.5% LTV, 1yr accounts accepted
A lender name is only half the answer — the amount each might lend varies by tens of thousands — our figures are indicative estimates, not offers.
See your figuresWhy some lenders say no
- Most lenders require 2+ years of accounts to establish income stability.
- Some lenders want industry-matched prior employment before the SE period.
- Adverse credit combined with 1-year SE usually means specialist lenders only.
Related reading: Why your DIP came in lower
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Run My Affordability CheckFrequently asked questions
What counts as 1 year of accounts?
A full 12-month trading period ending in a set of filed accounts or SA302s — not a partial year or projected income.
Does being a Ltd director help?
Some lenders are more flexible for directors with a 12-month set of accounts than for sole traders. Others apply the same rules to both.
Can I use an accountant's projection?
Some do. Halifax will consider 12 months' trading plus an accountant's projection letter. Earl Shilton BS, Hanley BS (with relevant CV experience), Vida (or 3 months' business bank statements instead), Saffron BS (Self-Employed range) and Dudley BS also publish a one-year-plus-projection route. Kensington accepts 1 year's trading without a projection (2 years needed above 85% LTV), and Precise accepts one year's accounts up to 75% LTV.
What if I've been in the same industry for years?
Industry-continuity can help with manual-underwriting lenders. Providing a CV or employment history alongside your accounts strengthens the case.