Trussle is campaigning to improve the mortgage application process for the UK’s 4.85 million self-employed after discovering 38% were making worrying lifestyle changes and professional sacrifices in their attempts to get a home loan.
In a survey of over 2,000 self-employed mortgage applicants, Trussle learned many were being forced to go through such extensive affordability hurdles that many considered abandoning their dreams of homeownership.
Others felt so put off by the process, which included additional hassles such as providing further documents and paying extra costs, they considered giving up their self-employed status.
Yet the average income for a self-employed worker is higher than those in permanent employment, according to Trussle.
Ishaan Malhi, CEO and founder of Trussle, said: “There’s no reason why the journey to homeownership should be any more difficult for those who are self-employed.”
Trussle’s survey also uncovered evidence that some younger self-employed borrowers, those aged between 25 and 34, had put off having children to focus on getting onto the ladder. Others had taken on extra work to improve their income on paper for lenders.
There was even evidence of self-employed people who had put off moving despite the fact the property they lived in was no longer adequate.
Campaign
Now Trussle is calling for a ‘collaborative effort’ from the mortgage industry and Government to provide better support to the self-employed.
Some ideas for making improvements include integrating open banking to help potential applicants with multiple income streams and offering more flexibility with tax reporting periods.
Trussle also suggested assessing self-employed mortgage applicants on their current and not historic income.
Malhi hoped this might help ease the pressure many self-employed felt to make significant personal sacrifices to get on the property ladder.
“No one should feel they need to choose between having children and home ownership,” he said. “Nor should anyone feel forced to change their employment status just to make the mortgage application smoother.
“This needs to change. We’re calling on the industry and the Government to work more cohesively to make changes for the better. As part of this commitment, we’re in the process of developing flexible products designed to suit the needs of the self-employed.”
