Business Owner Mortgage Advice for Company Directors in SW London, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, and Sussex

sjohnston90
Aug 12
3 min read

Updated: Sep 14

Helping company directors and business owners in SW London, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, and Sussex secure smarter mortgages and business finance.

Why Many Business Owners Struggle with Finance Applications

Running a business is demanding, and for many owners, finding time to navigate complex mortgage or business finance applications is nearly impossible.

Even with strong turnover, directors are often declined by lenders because:

Income is a mix of salary, dividends, and retained profit
Standard underwriting models favour PAYE employees
Old credit blips still appear years later
The process takes too long and opportunities are lost

This is where specialist business owner mortgage advice makes the difference.

The Time Barrier

According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), one in three SME owners spend more than a full working day each month dealing with finance administration.

When you’re running a company, every hour matters. Finance applications often mean:

Chasing bank departments for updates
Answering the same questions multiple times
Gathering documents from accountants and HMRC

These delays cost business owners valuable opportunities.

The Income Mismatch

Bank of England data shows that approval rates for self-employed and company directors are far lower than for traditional PAYE earners.

Why?

Most lenders still rely on:

P60s and SA302s
Two or three years of consistent income
Fixed monthly salaries

For directors, this ignores the true picture — especially when income is structured for tax efficiency. Specialist advice helps translate your income into a format lenders understand.

The Credit Hangover

Even minor credit events can create challenges. UK Finance reports that 28% of SME finance rejections involve otherwise viable businesses with historic adverse credit.

A late payment or default from years ago shouldn’t define your borrowing ability today — but for many mainstream lenders, it does.

How Business Owner Mortgage Advice Secures Smarter Finance Solutions

Business owners can improve their chances of approval by:

Translate Your Income with Business Owner Mortgage Advice

Include trading performance, retained profits, and dividend history alongside salary.

Match the Lender to the Case

Use lenders who specialise in complex income and director-led businesses.

Protect Your Time

Delegate the paperwork, research, and lender communication to a specialist broker.

Plan Ahead

Start early to avoid rushed applications and limited product choice.

Real-World Success Stories

Surrey marketing agency director – £55k salary + £65k dividends, rejected twice by high street lenders. We secured the right mortgage by presenting retained profits alongside drawings.
Kent construction company owner – Needed to refinance commercial premises with a five-year-old default. We found a lender willing to look at the full picture, reducing repayments by 14%

The Bigger Picture for South East Business Owners

It’s not about whether you “deserve” finance — it’s about finding a route that reflects how you really earn and operate.

Specialist business owner mortgage advice bridges the gap between how you run your business and how lenders assess your application.

Next Step for South East Business Owners & Directors

If you’re based in SW London, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, or Sussex and want smarter mortgage or business finance options without wasting time or overpaying, I offer a free 15-minute strategy call.

We’ll:

Sense-check your current position
Identify lenders or products most likely to work for you
Give you a clear plan so you can move forward with confidence

👉 Book your free 15-minute consultation or take my Finance Readiness Scorecard to find out how lenders see your business today.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All lending is subject to status and affordability. Stuart Johnston is an Appointed Representative of Kingston Finance Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.