Getting a mortgage on maternity leave

[Woolwichchicken]

Apologies, posting for traffic!

We are FTB and I go on maternity leave in 2 weeks.

We are hoping to buy in the next year or so. Do we need to wait in until I return to work (30 Sep 2026) before we can start looking?

I’ve never bought a house before so still unsure how everything works. I have full pay until early June, then 9 weeks SMP, then unpaid from aug-Sep.

I guess my question is, how difficult would it be to get a mortgage on maternity leave? Would it be possible to start looking early next year or do I need to wait until I return to work?

We got a mortgage when I was on maternity leave. I had to give a letter from HR at my work confirming my pay on return from maternity leave, I dropped hours so they confirmed my new pay. We also had to put a realistic amount for childcare costs when we applied. It went through fine, but obviously did affect our affordability a bit.

You will have to show intent to return on the same basis which you left. Then typically (lender) they’d request an income reference from your employer as payslips during MAT leave wouldn’t show your ‘full’ income.

Good luck (a mortgage adviser)