Can I Get a Mortgage While on Maternity Leave? A UK Guide

If you’re asking, “can I get a mortgage while on maternity leave?”, you can apply. Whether a lender will offer the mortgage you need depends on your circumstances, affordability and the lender’s criteria.

It’s reasonable to wonder whether reduced maternity pay will affect affordability, or whether waiting until you return to work would make an application easier. There isn’t one answer for every applicant because lenders assess income and outgoings differently.

This guide explains what to consider and how to prepare for a practical discussion about your options.

Can you get a mortgage while on maternity leave? The straightforward answer

Yes, you can apply for a mortgage while on maternity leave. Being on leave does not automatically prevent you from applying, but it does not mean a lender has to approve the mortgage you want. The decision depends on your finances and the lender’s criteria.

It helps to separate two questions: can you submit an application, and does your financial situation meet the requirements for the borrowing you need? A lender will assess the application details, and criteria can differ, including how lenders consider maternity leave, income and supporting evidence.

So, if you’re wondering, “can I get a mortgage while on maternity leave?”, don’t assume your leave alone will decide the outcome. Consider your whole financial picture and make sure the information you provide reflects both your current circumstances and any expected changes.

Does maternity leave automatically affect mortgage eligibility?

No. Maternity leave is not, by itself, an automatic reason to decline every mortgage application. Lenders still need to assess affordability using the information available to them. They may consider your income and outgoings in different ways, so one lender’s approach may not match another’s.

There is no reliable yes-or-no answer based on maternity leave alone. What matters is how your individual circumstances fit the lender’s criteria. Being clear about your current pay and expected return-to-work arrangements helps avoid assumptions about your finances.

What circumstances may shape the lender’s decision?

A lender may look at the full application, including:

• Your income and any expected changes to it.
• The deposit you plan to use.
• Your credit history and existing financial commitments.
• The property type and the lender’s own criteria.

These details work together. Existing commitments affect the household budget available for mortgage payments, while the deposit and property type can affect which lending criteria apply. The amount you want to borrow is also considered in the context of your finances. No single detail guarantees an outcome.

Discuss your circumstances as a whole rather than assuming maternity leave will determine the result. A mortgage adviser can help you consider how your income, deposit, credit history, commitments and property plans may fit different lender criteria. The lowest rate is not automatically the most suitable option: the wider terms and your circumstances matter too.

How lenders may assess income and affordability during maternity leave

Affordability is about more than the amount reaching your bank account today. A lender may consider your current income, expected changes to pay, regular commitments and the costs of caring for your child. If you’re asking, “can I get a mortgage while on maternity leave?”, how those factors fit together may matter more than your maternity pay considered on its own.

Current maternity income and planned return-to-work income

Your income during leave may be lower than your usual earnings, particularly if your employer does not provide enhanced maternity pay. Statutory Maternity Pay has different rates across the paid period. For the 2026/27 tax year, it is 90% of average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, followed by £194.32 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for the next 33 weeks. See Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave in the UK for official information.

Your expected income after returning to work is another part of the picture. Some lenders may take a confirmed return-to-work salary into account, but they do not all assess future income in the same way or ask for the same evidence. Your return date and any change to your working hours may also be relevant. Do not assume your full pre-leave salary will automatically be used.

For a clearer affordability discussion, set out both stages: what your household receives during leave and what you expect to receive when you return. If your salary will change, for example because you plan to work fewer hours, include that in your budget instead of relying on an earlier payslip alone.

Childcare costs and the household budget

Childcare can affect the amount left for mortgage payments and other essentials. Consider the arrangement you expect to use when you return to work, alongside household bills, travel, credit commitments and other regular spending. Lenders may take expected childcare costs into account, so a realistic estimate based on your plans is more useful than leaving them out.

To prepare, list:

• Income during maternity leave and any expected change when you return to work.
• Regular household bills and existing financial commitments.
• Likely childcare arrangements and related costs.
• Planned changes to work patterns or household income.

This gives you a view of how your budget may look now and after your return. For example, your household may have a lower income during leave, followed by higher income but new childcare spending later. Lenders may assess these stages differently. Lower outgoings do not guarantee approval or a larger mortgage, but they help complete the affordability picture.

A mortgage adviser can help you set out these changes clearly and discuss how different lender criteria may apply to your circumstances.

Comparing mortgage application options while you are on maternity leave

There is no perfect application date for everyone. If you’re weighing up whether to apply now or wait until you return to work, compare each option against your income, plans and household budget. Lender criteria vary, so the same timing can work differently for different applicants.

The most suitable time to apply depends on your circumstances, plans and the lender’s criteria. Consider what information a lender could assess at each point, then weigh that against your property plans. You do not necessarily have to wait until your leave ends, but it is sensible to understand the affordability picture before deciding to proceed.

Applying during maternity leave

Applying during leave may suit you if you are ready to move ahead and can explain your current income and expected return-to-work arrangements. You may need to set out how your income could change and provide evidence requested by the lender. Before applying, make a realistic budget that includes expected childcare and household costs. This can help you judge whether the timing is workable for you.

Waiting until after returning to work

After you return to work, recent payslips may make your current income easier to evidence in some cases. But waiting does not guarantee improved eligibility or a better mortgage rate. Your property plans and household finances still matter, and lender criteria continue to vary. Consider whether delaying suits your circumstances rather than assuming that returning to work will automatically change the outcome.

The trade-offs can be summarised like this:

Timing	Potential advantage	Points to consider	Evidence to discuss
Apply during leave	You may be able to progress with property plans without waiting for your return.	Current income may differ from usual earnings, so affordability and future plans need to be clear.	Current income, expected return-to-work date and pay, plus household costs.
Apply after returning	Income from work may be easier to show through recent records.	Waiting may not suit your property timeline, and it doesn’t guarantee a different lending decision.	Current earnings, any change in working hours, deposit and regular commitments.

Use the comparison as a prompt, not as a prediction of what a lender will require. Evidence requests differ, and each lender assesses information against its own criteria. Note your preferred timing, expected work arrangements and the household costs you anticipate at each stage. These details give you a clearer basis for discussing affordability and comparing options.

Lee Tonks: Mortgage Guru matches clients with FCA-regulated advisers who can help consider both routes against your circumstances and lender criteria. Discuss your mortgage options if you’d like support weighing up the timing.

What to prepare before applying for a mortgage on maternity leave

Getting organised can make an affordability discussion clearer. The checklist below is general preparation, not a list of documents every lender will require. Requirements vary, so use it to bring together the facts about your finances and plans before deciding what to do next.

Start with this sequence:

1. Set out your income. Note your usual earnings, maternity pay and any other household income.
2. Record your leave and work plans. Include your expected return date, role and any planned change to your hours.
3. Map your deposit and finances. Note the amount available, where it is held, regular commitments and relevant credit history.
4. Build a household budget. Include expected childcare, bills and other regular spending, not just mortgage payments.

Income, leave and return-to-work information

Keep your maternity pay and leave dates together with information about your planned return to work. If your pay or working hours will change, explain what is changing and when. A lender may ask for evidence, such as information from your employer, but requirements and approaches to future income can differ. Clear, consistent details help an adviser discuss your circumstances accurately.

Distinguish between the income you receive during leave and the salary you expect after returning. If your return date or working pattern is still being discussed, say what is known and what remains undecided. Do not present an estimate as confirmed. This gives the affordability conversation a realistic starting point and highlights details that may need clarification.

Deposit, credit history and ongoing commitments

Make a simple record of your deposit funds, outstanding borrowing, regular credit payments and other financial commitments. Your credit history is one part of the wider assessment, so avoid trying to predict how a lender will view it. Having the details to hand helps an adviser consider your deposit and commitments alongside your income, household costs and intended property.

Keep your notes together and update them if your plans or finances change before applying. You could also note the property type and purchase plans you are considering, as these can inform the mortgage discussion. Preparation does not guarantee a particular outcome, but it can help you explain your situation consistently and identify questions to discuss.

If you’re buying your first home, the first-time buyer mortgage guide can help you understand other parts of the purchase while you prepare your maternity-leave information.

Lee Tonks can help you organise the details and discuss affordability against lender criteria.

How tailored mortgage advice can help you consider your options

Mortgage decisions during maternity leave can involve several moving parts. A tailored discussion can bring them together instead of treating your current pay as the only factor. If you’re still asking, “can I get a mortgage while on maternity leave?”, an adviser can help you understand which details may matter to lenders and what to consider before taking the next step.

What a tailored discussion can cover

Lee Tonks matches clients with FCA-regulated advisers who provide independent mortgage advice across the UK market. They can discuss your circumstances against different lender criteria, considering your income, deposit, credit history, existing commitments and property plans.

Your maternity leave and return-to-work arrangements are part of that conversation, along with expected childcare costs and other household spending. An adviser can help you compare applying during leave with waiting until you have returned to work, based on your plans and the way lenders may assess your circumstances. Criteria differ, so an approach that may suit one applicant will not necessarily suit another.

Look beyond the headline rate, too. The lowest rate is not automatically the most suitable mortgage for your circumstances. The wider terms, affordability and fit with your plans all deserve consideration. Tailored advice can help you weigh these factors without assuming a lender will accept your application or offer the borrowing you want.

A clear, low-pressure next step

You do not need every detail settled before starting a conversation. Share what you know about your income during leave, expected return to work, deposit, commitments and property plans. If something is uncertain, such as your return date or working hours, explain that clearly. The aim is to explore possible routes and relevant criteria, not to promise an outcome.

Whether you’re buying your first home, moving or considering a remortgage, Lee Tonks can help you consider your mortgage options in light of your wider circumstances. Bring your questions and discuss what applying now or later could mean for your plans.

This information is for general guidance only and isn’t a mortgage offer or a guarantee of approval, borrowing amount or rate. Any mortgage application is subject to lender assessment and current criteria.

Take your next step with a clearer plan

It’s natural to want clarity before making a property decision. A conversation can help turn your questions into a practical plan and identify what you may want to consider next.

If you’re still asking, “can I get a mortgage while on maternity leave?”, Lee Tonks can help you explore your options in light of your circumstances. The approach is tailored and low-pressure, with no promise of a particular lender decision.

This information is for general guidance only and isn’t a mortgage offer or a guarantee of approval, borrowing amount or rate. Any application is subject to lender assessment and current criteria.

You can take things one step at a time and decide what feels right for you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a mortgage if I am on unpaid maternity leave?

You may be able to apply, but the lender will need a clear picture of how your household will manage during the unpaid period. Map out any savings available, your partner’s contribution if applicable, and essential bills due during that time. This can help you identify a shortfall and explain how you expect to cover costs without relying on income you will not receive.

Will a lender use my maternity pay or my salary when assessing affordability?

The lender’s approach depends on its criteria and the evidence it accepts. Be ready to distinguish between your contractual salary, maternity pay and any other earnings. If your employer has confirmed a return date or working pattern, keep that information to hand. An adviser can help you understand which figures and documents may be relevant to your application.

Can I apply for a mortgage jointly with my partner while on maternity leave?

Yes, you can make a joint application. Both applicants should be prepared to provide details of income, regular commitments and credit history, as the lender assesses the application as a whole. Talk through how you will manage household finances and mortgage payments, especially if either person’s income or working hours are changing. A joint application does not guarantee approval, and both applicants’ circumstances matter.

Could childcare costs affect how much I can borrow after maternity leave?

They may be relevant, so work out a realistic estimate before making property plans. Consider the arrangement you expect to use, when it may start and whether costs could change as your working pattern changes. If you are still comparing childcare options, use a cautious budget rather than assuming the lowest possible cost. This helps you discuss your plans clearly without treating an estimate as confirmed.

Can I get a mortgage while on shared parental leave?

You may be able to apply. Shared parental leave does not, by itself, determine a lender’s decision. Note who will take leave and when, and identify any changes to household income across those periods. If both parents are applying jointly, make sure the information reflects each person’s arrangements. The lender will assess the application against its own criteria.

Should I wait until I have returned to work before applying for a mortgage?

Not necessarily. Consider your property plans alongside practical deadlines, such as when you hope to move and when your work arrangements will be settled. If your return date or working pattern is still uncertain, you can discuss what that means for preparing an application. Waiting is a personal timing choice, not a guarantee of a better decision or mortgage deal.

Can I remortgage while on maternity leave?

You can explore a remortgage while on maternity leave. If you are considering a new lender, allow time to understand the application process and compare the overall mortgage terms with your current arrangements. You could also ask your existing lender about the options it offers, then weigh them against your plans. The right route depends on your circumstances and the criteria that apply.

This information is for general guidance only. It isn’t a mortgage offer or a guarantee of approval, borrowing amount or rate. Any application is subject to lender assessment and current criteria.