What are the mortgage requirements and best approach for UK drinks business owners and company directors?

Getting a mortgage as a business owner is challenging but possible with the right broker and lender. Most mainstream lenders require 2 years of filed accounts, though this can sometimes be negotiated down to 1 year with specialist brokers and a larger deposit.

**Key requirements:** - 2 years of filed accounts is the standard benchmark - Directors are typically counted as self-employed if they hold above a certain ownership threshold - Lenders can factor in company profits, though some require personal salary history from employment in the same industry - A higher deposit may be needed if you have fewer than 2 years' accounts

**Recommended brokers and lenders:** - **Halifax** — noted as one of the most lenient high-street lenders for business owners - **Jennifer Ward** (cmme.co.uk, jennifer.ward@cmme.co.uk) — specialises in mortgages for directors - **Rosehill Financial Services** (sam@rosehillfs.com) — specialises in mortgages for directors - **Independent brokers** — members reported success using independent brokers who could negotiate terms; one member completed on a first-time buyer mortgage with only 1 year accounts via Halifax with broker support

**Tactics:** - Use a specialist broker who understands director mortgages — they can often negotiate better terms than approaching lenders directly - If you have recent employment history in your industry, brokers can sometimes use previous years' salary alongside company accounts - Be prepared for higher deposit requirements if you don't meet the 2-year accounts threshold

**Caveats:** Big institutional lenders often struggle with business owner applications and may require full company accounts. The process is more complex than standard employee mortgages and typically takes longer to arrange.