Mortgage Advisor & Director
Mortgage Advisor & Director
Working within certain legal professions means you can access exclusive mortgage deals that are hard to find otherwise. These professional mortgages are available for lawyers, barristers, solicitors and other related fields.
Here we explain what sort of perks you can get, the criteria you need to meet, and how to get the best rates.
Can lawyers, barristers and solicitors get special mortgages?
Yes, the high earning potential and prestigious nature of these professions means some lenders will offer mortgage rates and terms unavailable to other applicants.
Working as a lawyer or legal professional means you’ll present less risk in the eyes of lenders. So, they might be willing to offer bespoke mortgage products tailored to your legal career path, or exclusive deals.
Examples of legal roles covered
Various lenders may specialise in specific legal careers, but you can generally expect preferential treatment from some mortgage lenders if you work as a:
- Solicitor (including trainees and newly qualified solicitors)
- Barrister
- Judge
- Partner in a law firm
- Legal Secretary
- Arbitrator and mediator
- Law costs draftsman
- Legal Executive
- Paralegal
What perks can legal professionals get?
Here are some examples of the unique benefits you might get offered as a lawyer, barrister or solicitor applying for a mortgage:
- Exclusive rates: Legal professionals can get lower interest rates unavailable to standard applicants due to the career stability and high employability of positions like solicitors and barristers.
- Higher income multiples: Some lenders will let you borrow using higher income multiples than the standard average of 4.5 times your salary. This can be particularly helpful if you’re a single-income applicant.
- Flexible lending criteria: Specialist lenders can offer bespoke underwriting and may consider your future earnings when calculating affordability and eligibility, which is useful if your legal career is just beginning. Or they might offer repayment holidays, higher overpayment limits, or additional borrowing to help with career progression.
- Lower self-employment proof: There can be more flexibility around your income history if you’re a self-employed barrister (or other type of legal professional), this could mean using just 1 year’s accounts instead of several.
- Understanding of complex income: Your income structure may be complex. It may contain multiple components like a base salary, bonuses, performance-based pay or fluctuations based on external client billing or hourly invoicing. Certain lenders will appreciate these intricacies and will work to arrange a mortgage that reflects your financial reality.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for these bespoke mortgage products, you’ll need to meet some standard requirements, along with additional factors aimed specifically at legal professionals:
- Your career: The mortgage deals you qualify for depends on your specific legal career path and experience level. So, how many years you’ve been practising law and whether you happen to be working as a solicitor, a barrister or a role in legal support can make a difference.
- Proof of professional status: You’ll need to verify your qualification as a solicitor or barrister through a regulatory body, such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board, which maintain a Solicitors Register and a Barristers’ Register, respectively.
- Your deposit: You’ll likely still need to use a deposit, and the size will impact your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. Some lenders may have minimum and maximum LTV thresholds, but these can be flexible for lawyers and those in surrounding professions.
- Credit record: Even though you’ll present less risk to lenders, they will still want to check your credit history. If you’ve got bad credit, it’s still possible to get a competitive mortgage if you deal with the right lenders.
Depending on the lender, there will likely be additional eligibility criteria such as your age, the type of property you want to buy, and more.
How to get exclusive rates and deals
Securing a mortgage might be more complex for solicitors or barristers, largely due to varying income structures and the professional circumstances of lawyers. However, if you deal with a lender who understands this just comes with the territory, you can access rates, deals and terms unavailable to others.
However, these unique and bespoke mortgage products aren’t usually advertised. So it’s best to explore all your options with the support of an adviser who specialises in mortgages for lawyers (and other legal professionals). They can introduce you to the right lender for your role and circumstances.
You can compare the latest rates and deals available or have a free, no-obligation chat with a specialist mortgage broker below:
Compare Mortgages for Professionals for FREE
How much you could borrow
Your specific situation and role can impact how much you can borrow. But, it’s often possible for lawyers, barristers and solicitors to borrow 5 times or 5.5 times your income. In certain circumstances, some lenders would be willing to stretch this to 6 times your salary.
Use our calculator below to get an idea of your maximum borrowing amount with a mortgage tailored for lawyers:
Lenders and rates
There are high street lenders and banks in the UK such as Accord Mortgages, Barclays and HSBC that might be open to catering to certain types of lawyers.
However, if you want a home loan tailored to your needs, you’re better off dealing with specialist niche lenders. They’re unlikely to advertise what they can offer, but there’s a greater chance you’ll be able to access lower rates and bespoke mortgage terms.
Why choose Teito for your mortgage needs?
At Teito, our specialist advisers have extensive experience securing the best mortgage rates for lawyers and legal professionals at all career levels. This includes trainee solicitors and those who are newly qualified.
Here are just some of the reasons lawyers, barristers, solicitors, and judges choose us for their mortgage needs:
- Our brokers specialise in mortgages for legal professionals
- We can introduce you to bespoke lenders with great deals
- Your first chat is free with no obligation to proceed
- We have a 5-star rating on leading review sites
Ready to compare rates for free and take advantage of a free, no-obligation chat with a broker who specialises in mortgages for lawyers? Get started here.
FAQs
Yes, some lenders will be willing to include all your income, even if it comes from a variety of clients. Certain lenders may also take into account projected future earnings if, for example, you’ve just signed a new contract with a high-value client. However, this won’t be the case across the board, especially with high street lenders.
Choosing an Adviser
Selecting a qualified and experienced mortgage adviser is of great importance. To choose a suitable adviser, evaluate their qualifications, experience, and reputation, and ensure they are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Read reviews from previous clients and make sure they provide a clear explanation of the products and services they offer, as well as the fees and charges associated with them.