Mainly for people whose income is difficult to assess using the standard method adopted by most conventional mortgage lenders. Bonuses, commission and seasonal work can cause income to vary over time or be difficult to guarantee and this may not be considered acceptable in order to get a loan. The main groups of people that opt for self-certification mortgages are: self-employed and unsalaried company directors, contract workers (increasingly common in technology-based industries), commission-based workers (often in sales, recruitment etc.), people with seasonal earnings. The interest rate you are charged will be higher to compensate the lender for the increased risk.

a mortgage that is offered to borrowers who do not have to provide any proof of previous mortgage history

a mortgage where a lender may not require income details from you, or may accept some previous poor credit history.