Why Mortgages Shouldn’t Only Be Accessible for 9–5 Workers
As the modern workforce evolves, mortgage lending criteria are struggling to keep up. Across the UK, thousands of people who earn outside of traditional employment, from content creators and freelancers to contractors and entrepreneurs, are finding themselves locked out of the housing market, despite having stable and often high incomes.
According to James Enos, National Account Manager at Hodge Bank, the issue lies in outdated lending frameworks that still prioritise predictable, PAYE-based income over today’s increasingly diverse ways of earning.
“Over the last decade, the definition of a ‘typical borrower’ has changed beyond recognition. People can now build thriving businesses on social media, run six-figure consultancies from home, or earn through multiple income streams – yet many lenders still see them as risky simply because they don’t work a conventional 9–5.”
The conversation around this growing problem has gained momentum following comments from YouTuber Amelia Dimoldenberg, who recently spoke out about the challenges content creators face when applying for mortgages. Despite contributing an estimated £2.2 billion to the UK economy, creators and other self-employed professionals continue to face barriers to homeownership due to rigid affordability checks.
However, according to James Enos, this issue goes far beyond influencers or the creator economy:
“We’re seeing more customers with complex income structures, freelancers, consultants, business owners, who have consistent earnings but can’t easily evidence them in the way many traditional lenders still require. That needs to change. A payslip isn’t the only indicator of financial stability anymore.”
James Enos believes lenders must take a more flexible and modern approach to assessing affordability – one that recognises mixed income streams, self-employment, and digital entrepreneurship as legitimate and sustainable ways of earning a living.
“Responsible lending isn’t about box-ticking, it’s about understanding a customer’s full financial picture. Lenders have a responsibility to reflect and adapt to how people really live and work today.”
This call for change comes at a pivotal moment. According to the ONS, around 15% of the UK workforce is now self-employed, while the number of creators, freelancers and gig workers continues to rise. Without reform, this growing demographic risks being left behind in the property market, despite often demonstrating strong financial discipline and long-term earning potential.
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