Mortgages on Maternity Leave
Mortgages are available while on maternity or paternity leave - from specialist lenders who assess the return-to-work salary rather than the statutory or reduced maternity pay received during leave.
Assessed on return-to-work salary, not maternity pay
Statutory maternity pay is £184.03 per week (2024/25) - far below most people's regular salary. Mainstream lenders assessing the mortgage on current income during maternity leave produce a dramatically understated maximum mortgage. Specialist lenders accept a letter from the employer confirming the return-to-work date and salary, and assess the mortgage on that full salary - not the reduced maternity pay.
Every maternity and paternity leave situation handled
Return-to-Work Salary Assessment
The most important provision: specialist lenders assess the mortgage on the employer-confirmed return-to-work salary rather than current maternity pay. An employer letter confirming the return date and salary is the primary evidence document.
Currently on Maternity Leave
Borrowers currently on statutory or enhanced maternity leave access specialist lenders who are comfortable with applications during the leave period. The application is assessed on the future income rather than the current reduced payment.
Enhanced Maternity Pay
Some employers pay enhanced maternity pay above statutory levels for part or all of the leave period. Enhanced maternity pay is assessed by some lenders as current income if it continues for the duration of the mortgage application process.
Paternity and Shared Parental Leave
The same specialist lender provisions apply to paternity and shared parental leave as to maternity leave. Return-to-work salary is the assessed income in all leave scenarios.
Self-Employed and Maternity
Self-employed borrowers on maternity leave present additional complexity - no employer letter exists to confirm return-to-work income. Specialist lenders use the last two years' SA302 income averaged, or the most recent year where income has been growing.
Joint Applications With One Partner on Leave
Where one partner is on maternity leave and one is employed, the employed partner's income is assessed normally. The maternity leave partner's return-to-work salary can supplement the joint income assessment with specialist lenders.
How it works
Tell us your situation
Share your maternity leave start and expected return date, your return-to-work salary, and the employer. We identify which specialist lenders are most straightforward for your specific leave scenario.
Employer letter co-ordination
We advise on the specific wording required in the employer's return-to-work letter for the target lender - ensuring the evidence is in exactly the format the underwriter requires.
Application and assessment
We submit the application to the right specialist lender with the employer letter and payslip evidence. Manual underwriting by a specialist lender produces a realistic assessment.
Mortgage offer
Typical timeline: 4 to 6 weeks from full application to mortgage offer. Straightforward employed maternity cases with a clear return-to-work letter are among the most efficiently processed specialist applications.
On maternity leave and need a mortgage?
Tell us your leave situation and return-to-work salary. We identify the right specialist lender - same working day response.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a mortgage while on maternity leave?
Yes - from specialist lenders who assess the return-to-work salary rather than the statutory or enhanced maternity pay received during leave. An employer letter confirming the return date and salary is the primary evidence document.
What income do lenders assess for a mortgage during maternity leave?
Specialist lenders assess the employer-confirmed return-to-work salary as the income for mortgage purposes. Mainstream lenders using current income during maternity leave produce a dramatically understated assessment.
What if my employer cannot provide a letter confirming my return?
A letter from HR or line management confirming the return date and salary on company headed paper is sufficient. If the employer is unwilling to provide one, some specialist lenders accept a combination of the employment contract and a personal statement confirming the return-to-work date.
Can I get a mortgage on enhanced maternity pay?
Enhanced maternity pay above statutory levels is assessed by some lenders as current income if it continues throughout the application period. Full enhanced pay for the first 6 months, for example, is treated differently from statutory-only pay.
Does maternity leave affect my credit score?
No. Maternity leave itself does not appear on or affect the credit file. The credit file shows payment history - missed payments during maternity leave would affect the credit score.