Can I get a mortgage on maternity leave?
General information only. This is not financial advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-06
Can I get a mortgage on maternity leave?
Yes. You can apply for a mortgage while on maternity leave in the UK. Lenders are legally required not to discriminate on grounds of pregnancy or maternity under the Equality Act 2010. The practical challenge is income verification: lenders need to understand both your current statutory maternity pay and your confirmed return-to-work salary. A letter from your employer confirming your return date and full salary is the most effective document for an application made during leave.
Which income will the lender use — my maternity pay or my normal salary?
Most specialist and mortgage-friendly lenders will base affordability on your pre-maternity salary or your confirmed return-to-work salary — not on your current statutory maternity pay, which is a temporary reduction. An employer letter confirming your return date, role, and full salary on return is critical. Without this, some lenders may only use the lower SMP figure, which significantly reduces what you can borrow.
What documents do I need for a mortgage while on maternity leave?
The key document is an employer letter confirming your return-to-work date, your full salary on return, and that you are returning to the same (or an equivalent) role. You will also need: payslips from the three months before your leave began; three to six months of bank statements; and standard proof of identity and address. Lenders vary in exactly what they accept, so a specialist broker can tailor the documentation pack to the specific lender.
Do lenders have to consider my application if I am on maternity leave?
Yes. Under the Equality Act 2010, lenders cannot refuse or disadvantage a mortgage application solely because you are pregnant or on maternity leave. If you believe a lender has declined you on these grounds, you have the right to challenge the decision. In practice, working with a broker who understands this landscape steers your application to lenders who already have fair and well-tested processes for maternity leave cases.
Is it better to apply before or after maternity leave?
Applying before leave begins is often the most straightforward route, as recent payslips clearly show your full salary and the affordability calculation is clean. That said, many lenders will process applications during leave with the right employer letter. If your leave is already under way, the employer letter and pre-leave payslips carry the most weight. Waiting until you have returned to work and received one or two payslips is also a valid approach if the timeline allows.
What if I am self-employed and on maternity leave?
Self-employed individuals on maternity leave face additional complexity, as there are no payslips or employer letters to evidence return-to-work income. Lenders will typically rely on accountant-certified accounts for the last two to three years and may request a projection of likely income on return. Working with a specialist broker who understands both self-employed income assessment and maternity leave circumstances is advisable.
Risk warning
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. This article is general information only and does not constitute financial advice.
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