Zero Hour Contract Mortgages Availability in 2024?

The latest findings from the Office of National Statistics show that 2.8% of the UK workforce is on zero-hour contracts. That’s up from 0.8% at the end of 2000. The figure is now representative of 905,000 people working on zero hour contracts.

An unconventional income makes you a sort of misfit for certain lenders using automated screening processes. If you’re one of those on a zero hour contract then what you need is a lender who does manual underwriting and those are often in the form of Contractor Mortgages / Mortgages for the Self-employed, even though, technically you aren’t.

There are some smaller building societies that will take this approach as well, so having a zero-hour contract won’t necessarily mean you need a specialist lender. It will when you have impaired credit though.

Regardless of your situation, your successful application rests on your ability to approach lenders prepared.

To help you prepare for a mortgage application, use the five steps outlined below to get everything in order that’ll see you with the best possible chance of having your mortgage approved.

Preparing for the mortgage application process when you have a zero-hour contract of employment

Keep all your payslips

If you’re approaching lenders with close to 18 payslips – enough to cover your employee earnings for the past 18 months – it’s going to be difficult for them to dispute that you have a regular and stable income.

Back up your payslips with P60 information

While zero hour contracts are considered controversial by some, there is an element of flexibility involved. Some people are more than happy to work with flexible contracts that allow them to pick and choose when they work and some will take advantage of that to work other jobs. Perhaps two or more zero hour contracts or they will fill some gaps with agency work. This can see you with more than one payslip per pay week.

Only your main employment will be considered for a mortgage application and not the random hours picked up elsewhere. However, a P60 is what HMRC will issue you with every tax year and that will provide the evidence of earnings you need to provide to lenders for income assessment purposes.

This will detail all the employee earnings you’ve earned during the financial year. When applying for a mortgage when your employment contract has no guaranteed hours, it’s ideal to have your last two P60s to prove the last two years of earnings.

Tax Credits and Maintenance Payments

There are situations when your hours and earnings may not be sufficient to meet the affordability criteria, but if you factor in the amount of payments you get from Child Tax Credits and/or Child Maintenance, it would make your home loan affordable… then it’s finding a lender that will accept those as part of their lending criteria. Not all do.

There are lenders who will accept Child Tax Credits as part of your income assessment, provided the payments will run for the duration of the mortgage term. For Child Maintenance, some lenders will accept them whereas others view them as an unreliable source of income unless there is a court order in place.

The best course of action when you have unconventional earnings, yet know you can afford the repayments on a mortgage is to work with a mortgage broker. The main reason for this and the benefit to you is that they have first-hand knowledge of each lender’s underwriting procedures.

Halifax mortgages are one example as they do accept Child Tax Credits as part of the acceptable lending criteria. It should be noted though that there are changes taking place with the rollout of Universal Credits. When your Tax Credits switch over to the Universal Credit, they will not be acceptable for the affordability assessment. For that reason, if you’re planning to remortgage or get a first-time mortgage and your circumstances would require you to use your Tax Credits, it’s in your best interest to move fast because once Universal Credits roll out, it will narrow your selection of lenders significantly. That is if any lenders will accept them, which at the time of writing (July 2017), remains unknown.

Getting Your Personal Finances in order

Lenders will want to know your fixed monthly outgoings so it will help to know your figures to prevent you from being taken by surprise.

The figures you should have budgeted for include:

How much do you spend on

• Gas
• Electricity
• Water rates
• Council Tax – at the band rate of the new property you’re applying for finance for
• Insurance costs for car insurance, pet insurance (if applicable), life insurance policy premiums and your expected buildings content insurance for the new property and any existing home contents insurance costs if applicable. These are accounted for as fixed monthly expenses.
• How much you spend on fuel or transport to get to and from your place of work
• How much your average grocery shopping bill is monthly
• Any regular savings you have such as towards a private pension scheme

One thing to note about pensions is that you can find yourself being asked when you plan to retire. The reason for this is the average term for a mortgage is 25 years. If you plan to retire before your mortgage is repaid, lenders need to make sure that you can not only afford the repayments just now but right through to the completion of your mortgage term.

Pension contributions are assessed differently by different lenders. When you’re on a zero-hour contract, it’s your total earnings that matter for auto-enrollment.

The Pensions Advisory Service states that “You will be automatically enrolled in the same way as other workers if you earn more than, currently, £192 a week, £833 per month or £10,000 a year and meet the other joining conditions.”

If your earnings from your employment are under £192, it may be that you’re not enrolled in your employer’s pension scheme, in which case you would need to have your own private pension arrangements in place for your retirement. That’s for you. Lenders don’t always view this as a necessity but will instead want to know you’ll remain working until your mortgage is cleared.

In terms of the lender’s decision, some will view your pension payments as a committed fixed monthly expenditure, whereas others would view it as positive financial planning and look more favourably towards future lending knowing that once you retire there will be payments there to help you afford your mortgage repayments, if that’s going to be a factor for the duration of your mortgage term, such as retiring within the next 25-years.

Six Months of Careful Spending to Keep Your Bank Statements Clean

For all mortgage applications, you’ll be required to provide at least the last three months’ bank statements. Some lenders will ask for six months though.

There’s more assessed on these than your total income and expenditure though because your bank statements can reveal a lot about you and your lifestyle. As an example, five Contactless Card transactions showing J.D Wetherspoon (pub/restaurant) for a total of £110.12 for an evening out, could indicate that you have an expensive social life.

It’s also going to reveal your reliability for repaying existing debts and other financial commitments. One of the obvious things lenders will look for is bounced transactions such as Direct Debits or Standing Orders not being paid due to insufficient funds, especially if the funds were there and spent irresponsibly.

If you have an overdraft, try your best not to use it. Lenders know that these are inevitable at certain times of the year such as during the festive period. Still, if you’re continually using your overdraft, it can indicate that you’re not living inside of your means.

The most important thing to do is review your current credit commitments because your bank statements will show regular payments and you may be asked about them. Don’t understate your debt. Lenders hate non-disclosure of any sort, and when it comes to debt, you don’t want to be considered as trying to play down your debt-to-income ratio in an effort to game the system. Add up your total debt commitments, and be truthful with your applications. If it’s high, it’s high. Lenders can work with that better than they can a dishonest applicant, which it’s easier for them to just reject your application and move on.

Keep it clean, keep it honest, and above all, approach it prepared.

Regardless of your employment status, mortgages are assessed on affordability and risk. Prove to lenders you can afford the repayments, and you spend responsibly and you can influence how a lender perceives your level of risk to be.

Your bank statements and proof of income can reveal a lot more than your credit files do for lenders.

Related Reading:

• Advice For Those Declined/Refused a Mortgage
• Getting a Mortgage Over 50 Years Of Age
• Credit Building After an IVA or Scottish Trust Deed

Navigating the Complex Landscape of Homeowner Loans, RIO Mortgages, and Retirement Interest Only Mortgages in the UK

The UK’s financial landscape offers many loan and mortgage options to cater to the diverse needs of its residents. From those just starting their homeownership journey to retirees, there’s something for everyone. Among the myriad options available, homeowner loans, RIO mortgages, and retirement interest-only mortgages stand out for their specific advantages and use cases. Here’s a deep dive into these options, especially curated for UK readers.

Zero Hour Contract Mortgage Options for 2024

A zero hour contract mortgage is available from several lenders but only at a loan to value of 60%. You could consider house for sale 25k near me as you could save up £25k and buy a house outright.

Understanding Homeowner Loans

Homeowner loans, commonly known as secured loans, are types of loans where the borrower offers their home as collateral against the borrowed amount. This ensures lower interest rates compared to unsecured personal loans, as lenders perceive a reduced risk with collateral in place.

Benefits:

• Potentially larger borrowing amounts.
• Extended repayment periods, resulting in smaller monthly instalments.
• Competitive interest rates.

Drawbacks:

• Risk of repossession if repayments aren’t met.
• Might accrue more interest over longer periods.

Fixed Rate Loans: For those looking to borrow with the assurance of consistent monthly payments, fixed rate loan uk options can be appealing. These loans lock in an interest rate for a set period, ensuring steady monthly outgoings.

Demystifying RIO Mortgages

RIO, or Retirement Interest Only mortgages, are relatively new to the UK mortgage scene. They allow older borrowers to secure a mortgage where only the interest is paid monthly, with the loan amount repaid when the home is sold, or the borrower moves into care or passes away.

Benefits:

• Monthly repayments are lower as you only pay the interest.
• Potential for a mortgage in retirement without a set end date.

Drawbacks:

• The principal loan amount remains unchanged.
• Typically, it requires a reliable retirement income.

Compare Remortgage Rates: When considering an RIO mortgage, it’s essential to compare the best remortgage rate uk to ensure you get the best deal. Different lenders have varying offers, and the right one can save a considerable amount over time.

Retirement Interest-Only Mortgages Explored

These are similar to RIO mortgages but come with added flexibility. They cater specifically to retirees, allowing them to leverage the equity in their homes for additional income without monthly capital repayments.

Benefits:

• Financial flexibility in retirement.
• No need for a concrete repayment strategy at the outset.

Drawbacks:

• Equity in the home diminishes, potentially impacting inheritance.

Mortgage Over 70: There’s a misconception that getting a mortgage in the latter stages of life is challenging. However, options like mortgages for the over 70s are tailored to cater to this demographic.

United Trust Bank Mortgages: For those looking for reliable lenders, united trust bank secured loans can offer competitive rates and flexible terms, making them a noteworthy choice.

Mortgages For Over 60s: Age should not be a deterrent for homeownership. With options like mortgage for over 70s, those in their sixties and beyond can realise their dream of owning a home.

Can I Release Equity From My House Under 55? Equity release schemes typically target older homeowners, but there’s increasing demand from younger demographics. For those under 55 wondering about their options, the equity release for under 55 can provide valuable insights.

Navigating the UK’s mortgage and loan environment requires research and understanding. Whether you’re a new homeowner, approaching retirement, or already enjoying your golden years, there’s a financial solution tailored to your needs. Remember always to seek expert advice before making significant financial decisions, ensuring your choices align with your long-term goals.