Starting a new job doesn't close the door on buying your first home. Some lenders will consider you from day one of a permanent contract. Most won't. Understanding which is which, and what you need to bring to the table, is what moves things forward.
No charge for initial discussion • No obligation • FCA authorised FRN 762513
Reviews reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee outcomes.
As a whole-of-market mortgage broker, we consider mortgages from across the market, subject to lender criteria and product availability. If waiting a little longer could improve your mortgage options, we'll explain why before you apply.
Find out where you stand before you apply anywhere
No charge for initial discussion • No obligation • CeMAP qualified advisers
Get New Job First-Time Buyer AdviceInitial discussion free. £299 broker fee payable if you proceed following a formal mortgage offer. We may receive commission from the lender.
Yes, in some cases. Whether that applies to you depends on four things: your contract type, how long you've been in the role, whether you stayed in the same industry, and which lender you approach. None of this is standardised across the market, which is exactly why applying directly to the wrong lender is risky.
A permanent contract from day one is the strongest starting position. A fixed term or temporary contract is harder, though not always impossible. A career change on top of a new start adds another layer of complexity. The sections below break each scenario down, so you know where your situation sits before anyone runs a search on your credit file.
The question lenders are really asking is: how likely is it that this person's income gets interrupted shortly after we lend to them? A permanent contract gives the clearest answer. It signals that both sides have committed to the arrangement in writing, and that the income is expected to continue. Fixed term contracts can't offer the same certainty, because they come with a defined end date.
Your documents need to back this up. At minimum, lenders want a signed contract of employment or offer letter that confirms job title, start date, and annual salary. If you've been paid already, bring the payslip. If not, some lenders will accept an employer letter. Previous P60s and payslips from your last role also matter, particularly if you've stayed in the same industry.
Most high-street banks quietly require one to three months in post before they'll consider a new job application. Applying before that point may reduce your lender options and could result in a declined application, depending on the lender's criteria. That hard search then shows up when the next lender runs their check. A broker helps you avoid this entirely by identifying which lenders are actually open to your situation before anyone runs anything.
The table below gives a general picture. Actual criteria vary by lender and everything is assessed individually, but this should help you understand roughly where the market stands.
| Situation | Min Deposit | Lender Range | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent contract, not yet started | 10–15% | Select lenders | Signed offer letter confirming start date and salary |
| Permanent, day one to one month | 10–15% | Select lenders | Contract of employment, first payslip if available |
| Permanent, one to three months | 10% | Good range | Contract, one to three payslips |
| Permanent, three to six months | 5–10% | Wide range | Contract, three to six payslips, P60 if available |
| Same industry, permanent, any stage | 10% | Good range | New contract plus evidence of prior same-industry work |
| Career change, permanent, day one | 15–20% | Limited | New contract, strong overall profile required |
| Fixed term or temporary contract | 15–20%+ | Very limited | Contract length, renewal history, sector context |
Figures are indicative only. All applications assessed individually against lender criteria at the time of submission.
Career continuity is one of the biggest variables in new job mortgage assessment, and it's often the difference between a decent lender range and a very limited one. Lenders use your employment history to judge whether your income is likely to continue. Years in the same profession, even across different employers, tells a story they can work with.
You've worked in the same profession for a few years and moved to a better role with a different employer. That career track record does real work for your application. Many lenders, including some mainstream ones, will consider same-industry applications from day one of a permanent contract with deposits from 10%, provided the salary is confirmed in writing. Prior P60s showing continuous employment in the same field are a key supporting document.
You've changed career alongside changing employer. The lender has no track record in the new field to point to, so the application relies more on deposit size and credit profile. A higher salary, a relevant qualification, or a move into a stable sector all help. Deposits of 15 to 20% improve options considerably. If the change took you into self-employment or contracting, see our self-employed FTB guide or contractor mortgage guide instead.
If the new job comes with a salary increase, some lenders will use that higher figure in affordability calculations from day one. Not all of them, but enough to be worth identifying. This can directly increase what you're able to borrow compared to what your previous salary supported.
The new salary needs to be in writing. A contract of employment or a signed offer letter is what most lenders require. A verbal offer, or an email from a line manager, won't be accepted. If you're waiting on a formal offer letter, it's worth holding off until it arrives before starting the formal application process.
A salary increase combined with a probation period adds another layer. Some lenders treat them as separate factors; others default to whichever condition is more restrictive. It depends on the lender, not a general rule. Our probation period mortgage guide covers how lenders treat this combination in detail.
Harder, but not a flat no. Fixed term contracts carry an end date, which creates income uncertainty that permanent contracts don't. Most mainstream lenders won't consider a new-start fixed term application. The lenders who will are assessing three things: how much time remains on the contract, whether there's a history of renewals in the same role or with the same employer, and whether fixed term employment is simply standard practice in your sector.
That last point matters more than people expect. Parts of the NHS, academia, and the public sector routinely work on rolling fixed term contracts. Lenders with more flexible criteria recognise this and often apply less restrictive assessment for these applicants. If your sector works this way, it's worth having that conversation with a broker before writing off the fixed term angle. One caveat worth knowing: lenders who take fixed term cases tend to charge higher rates than mainstream providers.
A first-time buyer has just started a permanent role as a marketing manager at £38,000, having spent three years in the same field at £30,000. The job started four weeks ago and one payslip is available. The buyer has saved £22,000 and is looking at a £170,000 property, which means around £148,000 borrowing.
At four times the new salary of £38,000, the indicative figure is around £152,000, though income multiples aren't uniform across lenders and this is not a guarantee. A broker identifies a lender who will consider same-industry new job applications with one payslip at a 15% deposit. That threshold on a £170,000 purchase is £25,500, about £3,500 short of the £22,000 saved. A gifted deposit contribution from a family member closes the gap. The application goes in with the new contract, one payslip, and three years of prior P60s confirming the same-industry track record.
This example is for illustration only. It does not constitute a quotation or offer. Actual borrowing, deposits, and lender options depend entirely on individual circumstances at the time of application. Income multiples vary by lender. Subject to status. This is not a typical outcome.
Just started a new job and looking to buy your first home?
Whole-of-market access • CeMAP qualified • No charge for initial discussion
Get Your New Job Mortgage AssessmentInitial discussion free. £299 broker fee payable if you proceed following a formal mortgage offer. We may receive commission from the lender.
Don't start the formal application on a verbal offer. Most lenders need a signed contract of employment or offer letter that confirms job title, start date, and annual salary. An unsigned or informal document won't be accepted. Wait for the paperwork before starting the process.
P60s from the last two to three tax years, and payslips from the final three months of your previous role, tell lenders what your income history looked like before the new job. For same-industry moves, this documentation does most of the work in demonstrating continuity.
Even one payslip from the new role can widen your lender range compared to applying before your first payday. Three payslips opens things further. If you can wait without missing a live purchase opportunity, it often produces better terms. If deposit is also tight, the deposit help guide covers gifted deposit, guarantor, and other options.
It directly affects which lenders are open to you. Same-industry moves with P60 evidence of career continuity access the widest lender range from an earlier stage. Career changes may need a waiting period or a larger deposit to make the numbers work.
This is the step that saves people the most trouble. A broker looks at your start date, contract type, career profile, and deposit position, then tells you which lenders are actually viable for your situation. Where appropriate, we aim to submit a single well-prepared application rather than several that each leave a mark on your credit file. Arrange a discussion, no charge, no obligation.
Everything is tailored to your start date, contract type, career background, and purchase target. We advise clients across Halifax, West Yorkshire and nationwide by phone and video. For a broader look at first-time buyer options including deposit help and government schemes, the main hub covers it all. The FCA's mortgage guidance sets out the regulatory framework all UK mortgage brokers operate within.
We identify lenders open to your specific start date, contract type, industry, and deposit. Nationwide by phone and video call.
We advise on how your new salary can be used in affordability calculations and identify which lenders will accept it from day one, subject to your circumstances.
We use your career continuity evidence effectively, identifying lenders who value prior track record and may accept minimal time in the new post.
We find lenders who will consider a career change application and advise on the deposit level or timing that may open better options.
Where the new role also carries a probation period, we identify lenders whose criteria accommodate both factors at the same time.
We find lenders with flexible criteria for fixed term employment and advise on renewal evidence and contract length requirements.
We map the deposit milestones that unlock better lender options for your specific profile, including gifted deposit routes where needed.
We manage employment documentation, lender communication, and underwriter queries throughout the purchase process.
Ready to find out what your options actually are?
Whole-of-market access • Authorised and regulated by the FCA
Request Your First-Time Buyer AssessmentInitial discussion free. £299 broker fee payable if you proceed following a formal mortgage offer. We may receive commission from the lender. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Some lenders will consider an application from day one of a new permanent contract, subject to individual assessment. The contract needs to be permanent rather than fixed term or temporary, and the salary needs to be confirmed in a signed offer letter or contract of employment. Many mainstream banks require one to three months in post first. A broker identifies who is actually open to your situation before any credit searches are triggered.
It varies by lender, not by a fixed rule. Day one is possible with some lenders. One payslip widens the range. Three payslips opens it further. Three to six months gives the broadest mainstream access. The right timing depends on whether you have a live purchase to pursue or can afford a short wait.
Yes, it matters quite a lot. Same-industry moves with P60 evidence of career continuity tend to access more lenders and better deposit requirements than career changes do. A career change isn't a blocker, but it usually narrows the terms of what's available, particularly at an early stage of employment.
Some lenders will use the new salary from day one, provided it's confirmed in a signed offer letter or contract. This can increase the borrowing available to you compared to what your previous salary supported. Actual borrowing amounts always depend on the full affordability assessment at the time of application.
Often yes, at the early stages. Ten to fifteen percent is typical for new job applications before three to six months in post. Career change applications usually need 15 to 20% until there's a track record in the new field. As time in post increases, the required deposit tends to come down and the lender range opens up.
At minimum: a signed contract of employment or offer letter confirming role, start date, and salary; the most recent payslip if you have one; P60s from the last two to three tax years; and payslips from the final three months of your previous role. Some lenders also want an employer confirmation letter. A broker confirms exactly what the target lender needs before anything is submitted.
More restricted than a permanent contract, but not automatically ruled out. Lenders with more flexible criteria will look at how much time remains on the contract, renewal history, and whether fixed term working is standard in your sector. Those lenders tend to charge higher rates than mainstream providers, which is worth factoring into your calculations.
The two factors combine. Some lenders treat them as separate issues; others apply whichever condition is more restrictive. Which one creates more difficulty depends on the specific lender and your contract. A broker identifies who can accommodate both at the same time for your situation.
Many lenders who consider new job applications also accept gifted deposits from immediate family. Getting from 10% to 15% with a gift can widen the lender range at the early stage of employment, which is often where people are caught short. The donor needs to confirm the gift is non-repayable and provide supporting documentation. Subject to individual lender criteria.
It depends on whether you have a live purchase to pursue. A permanent contract with a confirmed salary makes an early application viable with the right lenders. Without a time-sensitive purchase, waiting for one to three payslips usually improves both the lender range and the deposit threshold. We'll advise on which approach makes more sense for your specific situation rather than pushing you into an application that may not work.
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.
