Buying or refinancing a property can be challenging if your income doesn’t follow a standard salary. Many lenders prefer applicants with straightforward, salaried income, but if your finances include bonuses, dividends, trust income, foreign earnings, or multiple income streams, securing a mortgage remains highly attainable.

Lenders vary in how they consider unusual or complex income when assessing your eligibility for a mortgage. At Private Finance, we specialise in helping borrowers with unusual or complex income present applications that appeal to the right lenders, maximising borrowing potential.

How bonus income can boost your mortgage

Bonuses are a common form of irregular income, and when properly documented, they can significantly increase your mortgage eligibility.

Lenders consider:

  • Guaranteed vs. performance-based bonuses – Guaranteed bonuses are usually more acceptable.

  • Income history – Most lenders look at bonuses received over the past two years.

  • Proportion included – Many lenders count 50% of average bonus pay; some bonus-friendly lenders accept 100%.

Private Finance helps package your bonus income in a way that highlights reliability and consistency, making your application more attractive to lenders and potentially increasing your borrowing power.

Mortgages using dividends, trust funds, and foreign income

Alternative income doesn’t stop at bonuses. Lenders may also consider:

  • Dividends – Investment earnings can sometimes be included if well-documented.

  • Trust income – Regular trust payments can count towards your mortgage, with the correct paperwork.

  • Foreign income – Earnings from abroad may qualify, provided stability and currency conversion are clearly shown.

Private Finance tailors your application by presenting all non-standard income in a lender-friendly format, emphasising reliability, consistency, and affordability. This approach often opens doors to lenders who might otherwise reject complex applications.

Multiple or irregular income streams

Many borrowers rely on multiple income sources — salary, freelance work, commissions, or investments. While this qualifies as complex or irregular income, it doesn’t prevent mortgage approval.

Private Finance helps by:

  • Understanding how to organise and present all income documentation to the right lender

  • Showing lenders the stability and predictability of diverse income streams

  • Ensuring applications meet lender-specific requirements

This careful preparation makes your application more appealing, reducing the risk of rejection and increasing borrowing potential.

Using bonuses or alternative income to overpay your mortgage

Beyond boosting borrowing capacity, bonuses and other alternative income can be used to pay down your mortgage faster. Many lenders allow annual overpayments of up to 10% of the mortgage balance.

Private Finance advises on using bonus income and other irregular sources strategically to minimise interest payments, helping you pay off your mortgage sooner.

How Private Finance makes applications lender-friendly

Each lender has unique criteria for complex income. Some prefer guaranteed bonuses, others may accept dividends or foreign income more readily. Private Finance specialises in tailoring applications to match these requirements:

  • Highlighting the most reliable sources of income

  • Presenting unusual income clearly and professionally

  • Matching borrowers to lenders most likely to accept their financial profile

  • Maximising borrowing potential while maintaining competitive rates

By carefully structuring applications, Private Finance ensures lenders see your full financial picture in the best possible light.

Tips for securing a mortgage with complex income

  1. Document all income clearly – payslips, tax returns, bank statements, dividend or trust statements.

  2. Choose the right lender – Private Finance identifies lenders most suited to your income type, and has access to specialist providers and private banks.

  3. Use expert guidance – a broker experienced with irregular or unusual income can tailor applications effectively.

  4. Consider overpayments – strategically use bonuses or other income to reduce interest and term length.

Conclusion

Getting a mortgage with unusual or complex income is achievable. Whether it’s bonus income, dividends, trust funds, foreign earnings, or multiple income sources, Private Finance specialises in making your application appealing to lenders.

By documenting your income correctly, presenting it in a lender-friendly way, and choosing the right mortgage product, you can secure a mortgage that reflects your full financial picture. Even irregular or complex income can work to your advantage with the right strategy and expert guidance.

To learn more about your mortgage options, you can reach our team on 0800 652 0971 or email info@privatefinance.co.uk.

This article is based on information available on the date of issue, 27th January 2026.

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