Can I Get a Mortgage If I’ve Just Started a New Job?

One of the most common questions first-time buyers ask is:

“Can I still get a mortgage if I’ve just started a new job?”

The short answer is: yes — in many cases you can.

However, whether a lender will accept you depends on your employment type, how you’re paid, how long you’ve been in your role, and the lender you choose.

This guide explains how lenders view new employment, what they usually look for, and how this can affect your chances of getting a mortgage.

⚠️ This article is for general information only and does not constitute mortgage advice. Mortgage affordability depends on individual circumstances and lender criteria can change.

Do lenders accept applicants who have just started a new job?

Yes — many lenders will consider applicants who have recently started a new job.

Some lenders are comfortable lending from your first day in a permanent role, while others may require you to have passed probation or completed a certain length of time in your position.

This is why lender choice matters when you’ve just started a new job.

Permanent employment (new job)

If you have started a new permanent role, lenders will typically look at:

• Your contract (permanent vs temporary)
• Your basic salary
• Your probation period
• Whether your role is in the same field as your previous job
• Any gaps in employment
• What your previous role was

Many lenders will accept you from day one if:

• Your employment is permanent
• You are not on a fixed-term contract
• Your income is stable and predictable

If you are still within probation, some lenders may be cautious — but others will still lend.

Changing jobs within the same industry

If you have moved to a new job in the same line of work, lenders are usually more comfortable.

For example, moving from one nursing role to another, or from one sales job to another, is generally seen as low risk.

In these cases, lenders may be more flexible, even if you have only just started.

Switching careers or industries

If you have changed career completely (for example, from retail to finance, or teaching to recruitment), lenders may want more reassurance.

They may look at:

• How long you’ve been in the new role
• Whether your income is guaranteed
• Your previous employment history

Some lenders may prefer you to have been in the role for a few months, but this is not always the case.

What about probation periods?

Being on probation does not automatically stop you from getting a mortgage.

Some lenders will still accept applications during probation, particularly if:

• You are in a permanent role
• Your basic salary is clear
• You have a strong employment history

Other lenders may require probation to be completed — which is why choosing the right lender is key.

Contract, temporary or agency work

If you are on a fixed-term contract, agency work, or temporary employment, getting a mortgage can be more complicated but is still possible.

Lenders will usually look at:

• How long you’ve been contracting or temping
• Whether your income is consistent
• Your overall employment history

You may need:

• At least 6–12 months of evidence
• Payslips and bank statements
• Sometimes a reference from your agency or employer

What documents will you need?

If you’ve just started a new job, lenders may ask for:

• Your signed employment contract
• Your latest payslip (if available)
• An employment confirmation letter
• Your P60 (if you have one from your previous role)
• Payslips from your previous role

⚠️ Important warning: changing jobs after your mortgage offer

If you change job after you have received your mortgage offer but before completion, this can put your mortgage at risk.

Lenders can:

• Re-run credit checks
• Re-verify your employment
• Reassess affordability before releasing funds

If your new role is different, your income structure has changed, or you are on probation, the lender could:

• Request new documents
• Reduce the loan amount, or
• In some cases, withdraw the mortgage offer

If you are considering changing jobs after you have a mortgage offer, speak to your broker first. In many cases it is safer to wait until after completion.

Will starting a new job affect how much you can borrow?

It can.

If your new job includes:

• Higher basic salary
• More stable income
• Fewer outgoings (for example, no more commuting or hotel costs)

this could actually increase your borrowing power.

However, if your income is:

• Commission-based
• Variable
• On probation in a completely new field

lenders may take a more cautious approach.

Final thoughts

Yes — you can often get a mortgage if you’ve just started a new job.

What matters most is:

• Your type of employment
• How stable your income is
• Your overall work history
• The lender you apply with

Choosing the right lender can make the difference between approval and decline.

This article provides general information only. Mortgage eligibility and suitability depend on individual circumstances and lender criteria can change. A mortgage adviser can help assess your options if you’ve recently started a new job.

Based in Brecon, Powys, I support first-time buyers locally and across the UK with clear, jargon-free mortgage advice tailored to their individual circumstances.