Agency workers may be able to get a mortgage, subject to individual circumstances and lender criteria, provided there is sufficient documented employment history and the income pattern is consistent. Whether a mortgage is available and on what terms depends on your individual circumstances, the type of agency work, the length of your history, and which lenders are likely to consider your application. This page is part of our employment income mortgage series, covering specialist income types across the employment silo.
This page provides general information, not a personal recommendation. Regulated advice is provided following a full assessment of your circumstances.
Most lenders require a minimum of 12 months of documented agency income. Longer histories of consistent PAYE income generally support stronger applications.
PAYE agency income is assessed differently from self-employment or umbrella company income. How your agency pays you significantly affects which lenders may consider your application.
A letter from your agency confirming registration duration, placement patterns, and ongoing assignment availability can strengthen an application with many lenders.
Lenders assess the pattern of placements. Consistent work with minimal gaps is generally viewed more favourably than long periods without assignment.
Long-term placements with a single client may demonstrate greater stability. Multiple shorter placements can be acceptable if they show a continuous overall work pattern.
Professional agency workers such as supply teachers, locum doctors, and healthcare staff may be assessed differently. Specialist qualifications and sector demand can support applications.
| Factor | Long-term placement | Multiple short placements |
|---|---|---|
| Lender perception | Generally viewed as stable | Acceptable with continuous pattern |
| Documentation | Payslips + agency letter | Payslips across all placements + P60s |
| History required | 12 months typically sufficient | 24 months preferred |
| Gap tolerance | Less critical between placements | Minimal gaps important to demonstrate |
| Employer letter | Confirming placement duration | Confirming overall work pattern |
| Lender range | May be considered by a broader range of lenders | More specialist lender selection |
We provide regulated mortgage advice following a full assessment of your circumstances. No obligation to proceed after the initial consultation.
Request a Consultation
Supply teachers and locum professionals have specific mortgage considerations that differ from general agency employment. Both groups typically have strong professional credentials and high demand for their skills, which some lenders recognise in their assessment criteria.
Supply teachers work through local authority supply pools or private teaching agencies, often on day-to-day or short-term bookings. This creates particular mortgage challenges because income can vary term to term and there are typically long gaps during school holidays.
Some lenders with experience of teaching employment patterns understand that holiday periods are structural features of the sector, not genuine income gaps. Evidence of consistent daily bookings across term times, alongside a P60 showing full annual income, can support applications with appropriate lenders.
Documentation typically required includes 12 to 24 months of payslips or booking records, P60 forms, an agency or supply pool letter confirming registration and typical booking frequency, and evidence of teaching qualification and registration with the Teaching Regulation Agency.
Locum doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals working through agencies face specific income variability that mainstream lenders can assess conservatively. Locum income can fluctuate significantly between periods of high demand and planned leave or CPD.
Lenders with experience of NHS employment patterns and healthcare professional income may take a more informed view of locum income. Professional registration (GMC, NMC, GPhC) and specialist qualifications can support applications by demonstrating employment continuity and professional demand.
Key documentation typically includes 12 to 24 months of payslips or agency statements, P60 forms, professional registration documents, agency letter confirming registration and typical assignment availability, and bank statements. Some lenders may accept a shorter history for qualified healthcare professionals with strong professional credentials.
If you are a supply teacher, locum doctor, locum nurse, or other professional agency worker, we can discuss how lenders may assess your specific employment pattern. Regulated advice is provided following a full assessment.
Request a ConsultationReviews reflect individual experiences and are not a guarantee of future outcomes. They may not be representative of all clients.
The following are purely illustrative hypothetical examples for explanation only. They are not representative of typical outcomes. Actual mortgage availability and terms depend entirely on individual circumstances, credit history, current lender criteria, and property value.
A 31-year-old office administrator placed through a recruitment agency on a long-term assignment with a financial services client, now in its 15th month. PAYE income of approximately £28,000 annually. Seeking first home purchase. Mainstream lender initially declined on temporary contract grounds.
Documentation includes 18 months of payslips demonstrating consistent monthly earnings, an agency letter confirming 18 months of registration and current placement duration, and P60 forms. Application focuses on lenders with criteria that may be more suited to long-term agency placements.
In this scenario, a lender may have considered the application based on the strength of the income consistency and placement duration. Individual circumstances, current lending criteria, and property details would significantly affect real outcomes.
A 36-year-old supply teacher registered with a teaching agency for 3 years, with consistent daily bookings across term times. Partner in permanent employment. The combined household income, including supply income averaged across term time, supports the required mortgage level.
Application structured as a joint household income assessment. Supply teacher documentation includes 3 years of P60 forms demonstrating annual income, term-time payslip history, agency letter confirming registration and booking frequency, and teaching qualification documents.
In this scenario, a lender familiar with teaching employment patterns may have considered the application, with the partner's permanent income providing additional stability. Outcomes depend entirely on individual circumstances and current lender criteria.
Who this information is intended for: Employed individuals working through a recruitment or staffing agency on temporary placements, PAYE agency workers, supply teachers, locum professionals, and others in flexible employment arrangements who are considering a mortgage application.
This information may be less suitable where: you are self-employed or operate through a limited company rather than as an agency worker (different criteria apply); your agency work history is less than 6 months; or you have significant adverse credit which may affect lender choice regardless of employment type. If you are paid through an umbrella company, criteria vary by lender and the page covers general considerations, but specialist advice is recommended.
Foreseeable harm: Applying to lenders whose criteria do not align with agency employment may result in declined applications which affect your credit file. Discussing your full circumstances before any application is made is strongly recommended.
Support: If your situation is complex or you are unsure where to start, we can explain your options in plain language. There is no obligation to proceed after the initial consultation.
We provide regulated mortgage advice following a full assessment of your circumstances. No obligation to proceed after the initial consultation.
Request a ConsultationAgency workers may be able to get a mortgage, subject to individual circumstances and lender criteria. Many lenders will consider applications, provided there is consistent documented income history, typically 12 months or more of PAYE earnings. Not all mainstream lenders accept agency employment, but lenders with more flexible criteria are available. Availability depends on your circumstances.
Most lenders prefer to see at least 12 months of documented agency income history. Some may require 24 months for applications with multiple shorter placements or more variable income patterns. Lenders with more flexible criteria may consider shorter histories when other factors are strong, though this limits the range of lenders available.
Short gaps between placements may be considered normal transitions by many lenders. Longer gaps may require explanation. For supply teachers, holiday periods are generally understood as a structural feature of the role rather than genuine income gaps. The overall pattern of work across 12 to 24 months is typically more important than individual gaps.
Yes, supply teachers can get a mortgage. Some lenders understand teaching employment patterns and assess term-time income appropriately. Key documentation typically includes P60 forms showing annual income, term-time payslips, an agency or supply pool letter, and teaching qualification evidence. A longer income history of 2 to 3 years can strengthen applications significantly.
Yes. Locum healthcare professionals can get a mortgage, and some lenders specifically understand healthcare agency employment. Professional registration, specialist qualifications, and documented income history all support applications. A 12 to 24 month income history alongside professional registration documents is typically the starting point for the documentation required.
An agency confirmation letter is not always mandatory but is strongly recommended. A letter confirming registration duration, placement patterns, and ongoing assignment availability provides helpful context that payslips alone may not convey. Some lenders require it; others find it useful supporting evidence. It is generally worth obtaining one.
Yes. A joint application combining agency income with a permanently employed partner's income may open access to a wider range of lenders. Some lenders whose criteria may otherwise restrict sole agency applications may be more flexible when permanent income is also present. Combined affordability assessments may also increase the amount available to borrow.
Yes. Umbrella company income is typically treated differently from direct PAYE agency employment. Some lenders assess it in the same way as employment; others treat it more like self-employment. The specific umbrella structure and how income is paid affects which lenders are most appropriate.
Not necessarily. Agency workers with an established and consistent income history may be able to obtain a mortgage without waiting for permanent employment. Whether it is advantageous to wait depends on your specific income pattern, history, and current circumstances. Some agency workers find their income and history are already sufficient; others may benefit from further building their documentation before applying.
The type and amount of mortgage available on a temporary or agency contract depends on your income level, documented history, credit profile, and the lender's criteria. Most mortgage types are potentially available : repayment, interest only (subject to criteria), fixed rate, tracker: but the lender range may be more limited than for permanently employed applicants. Discussing your specific figures with an adviser is the most accurate way to understand what may be available.
We provide regulated mortgage advice. There is no obligation to proceed after the initial consultation. Acceptance is not guaranteed and depends on individual circumstances.
Request a ConsultationWoodhall Mortgages is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm reference number 762513. You can verify this on the Financial Services Register.
We offer a whole of market mortgage advice service, meaning we can consider mortgages from across the market. The specific lenders and products we consider will depend on your individual circumstances.
Fees: No fee for the initial consultation. A non-refundable £299 fee is payable on receipt of a mortgage offer, whether or not the mortgage completes. We may receive commission from lenders. Details will be provided before you proceed.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. This page provides general information only and does not constitute regulated mortgage advice (a personal recommendation). Last reviewed: April 2026.
Buying a home or reviewing your mortgage can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. A quick conversation can give you clarity on your options, your budget, and the next realistic steps. There is no obligation and no pressure, just straightforward guidance tailored to you. Complete the short form below and we will be in touch to help you move forward with confidence.
