Company Director Mortgage With One-Year Accounts
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Miles Robinson
Job Title: Director & Advising Principal
Being a company director is rewarding, but having only one year of accounts can make getting a mortgage feel a bit uncertain. You might worry about having fewer options or facing higher interest rates. Our team talks to business owners every day who are in this exact position, and we want to help you make sense of the process.
Miles Robinson provides insight into the key considerations surrounding mortgage applications from borrowers with just one year of trading history. You will learn about the deposits required, how lenders view previous work experience, what documents your accountant needs to provide, and whether it is better to wait or apply now.
Podcast recorded on 18/08/2026. All information correct at time of recording. Podcast approved by the Openwork Partnership on 18/09/2026.
Can a company director get a mortgage with only one year of accounts, and which lenders allow it?
Having only one year of accounts does not automatically stop a company director from getting a mortgage. There are lenders that will consider directors with a single year of trading history, although your choice of lender will be narrower than it would be with two or three years.
Rather than focusing on a particular lender, because criteria regularly change, we look at your previous experience, current company performance, income and overall circumstances. This helps us establish which lenders are comfortable with your case.
Do you need a bigger deposit or accept a higher rate with one year of trading?
Not necessarily. There are lenders that will consider one year of accounts on their standard mortgage products. This means you do not automatically have to accept a non-standard mortgage or a significantly higher interest rate.
However, having a larger deposit can open up more options for you. The key is understanding which lenders will accept your trading history before an application is submitted.
Is it better to wait for a second year of accounts, and how do you decide?
Sometimes waiting is better, because it will open up more options, but this is certainly not always the case. If you are only a few weeks away from completing your second year and your profits have increased significantly, waiting could potentially improve your borrowing options.
If your first year of accounts already demonstrates sufficient income and there is a suitable lender available, there may be no financial reason to delay buying a property for another year. We would normally compare both scenarios before making that decision and making recommendations to you.
What deposit is needed with only one year of accounts?
You can potentially secure a mortgage with as little as a 5% deposit, depending on your circumstances and the lender. Having only one year of accounts does not automatically mean you need a 15% or 20% deposit.
Credit history, affordability, the property and the strength of the business will all play a part in the process. There are circumstances where directors with one year of trading history can access higher Loan to Value (LTV) mortgages.
Does previous employed or sole trader experience in the same field help?
Previous experience can make a significant difference. If you spent several years employed in an industry and then set up a limited company doing essentially the same role, that is a very different proposition from starting a completely new business in an industry you have never worked in before.
Some lenders will take that previous experience into consideration. It helps because it demonstrates continuity of occupation and income.
Can you get a mortgage with one year of accounts and a small credit blip?
Potentially, yes. This will depend on what the credit issue was, how much it was for and how recently it happened.
Having one year of accounts and a minor credit issue does not automatically mean you cannot get a mortgage. It does make lender selection particularly important, because we are combining two areas where criteria can vary significantly
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We manage a range of customer circumstances from first-time buyers, home movers, new build purchases, remortgages and debt consolidation. Whatever your financial requirements are, we can assist you.
Can you remortgage onto a better rate once the second year of accounts is filed?
Potentially, yes, but we would not take a mortgage today purely on the assumption that we will definitely refinance it later. Once you have built up a longer trading history, you may have access to a wider range of lenders, particularly if the business has continued to grow.
We would review your existing deal and any early repayment charges. We would then check potential savings before deciding whether remortgaging actually makes financial sense.
What does the accountant need to provide with only one year of trading?
Your finalised company accounts will normally be the starting point. Depending on the lender and where we are in the tax year, we may also need your SA302 (tax calculation document) and your tax year overviews.
We may also need an accountant’s certificate and business bank statements. With only one year of accounts, lenders generally want a little bit more evidence showing that the income is current and sustainable for the future.
Are the rates noticeably higher with one year of accounts?
Not necessarily. One of the biggest misconceptions is that one year of accounts automatically means a much higher interest rate.
There are mainstream lenders that can consider shorter trading histories, so depending on the overall application, you may still qualify for their normal mortgage range. The bigger difference is often the number of lenders available to you rather than simply the interest rate.
How does a broker present a one-year case to give it the best chance?
Ideally we want the lender to understand the story behind the business rather than just seeing that it has only been trading for 12 months. We will establish what you did before starting the company and check whether you are working in the same industry.
We will also review how the business has performed and look at how you are taking your income. It will include checking whether current trading properly supports the figures shown in the accounts. This will help us to identify whose criteria fit your situation. Where necessary, we will discuss the case with the lender before submitting an application.
This approach is particularly important with one-year accounts. The right lender may view exactly the same client very differently from another.
Summary
As a company director, having only one year of accounts does not mean you cannot get a mortgage. Our team can help you find lenders that accept a single year of trading history without automatically forcing you onto high interest rates or requiring a huge deposit.
We look at your previous work experience, business performance, and overall situation to match you with the right lender. By presenting the full story of your business, we help you secure the right mortgage for your needs.
Key Points
- You can get a mortgage with just one year of accounts, and you do not automatically have to pay higher interest rates.
- A deposit of as little as 5% may be possible depending on your circumstances, although a larger deposit can give you more options.
- Having previous experience in the same industry helps lenders feel more confident about your income and stability.
- Minor credit issues can sometimes be accepted, but choosing the right lender becomes even more important.
- Lenders will usually ask for your accounts, tax documents, bank statements and sometimes an accountant’s certificate to prove your income is steady.
- Our team looks at your full business story and talks to lenders before applying to give your case a good chance of success.
YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.
Approved by the Openwork Partnership on 18/09/2026.
