Police mortgages
If you’re a member of the police force, you could get a deal tailored to your needs with a police mortgage. Here’s everything you need to know about how they work.
What is a police mortgage?
It’s a term used when talking about mortgages offered to members of the police force that can provide benefits tailored to their profession. In reality, it is no different to any other mortgage.
Some brokers and mortgage lenders specialise in offering products to professionals, including police officers.
High street lenders might not be able to offer the flexibility you need to get the best possible mortgage deal. That’s why it’s worth speaking to one of our expert advisors who can understand your situation and search the market for you.
Do police get help with mortgages?
There is no formal scheme or product designed to help police officers get a mortgage. However, some lenders will look more favourably on your application if you are in the police force.
Lenders that offer preferential terms to professionals like police officers see you as an attractive, low-risk applicant. Because your role is seen as secure and offering strong career progression, they’re willing to reward you with improved terms.
What incentives do police mortgages offer?
Some lenders that target professionals like police officers will offer certain benefits, including:
Some specialist lenders will boost how much they’re willing to lend professionals to up to 6 times your salary. This is significantly higher than the standard 4 or 4.5 times your income that most lenders offer.
As you’re considered a lower-risk applicant, some lenders will extend their maximum loan-to-value (LTV) to 95% if you’re a police officer.
Some lenders offer things like exclusive interest rates, lower fees, larger overpayment limits or cashback if you’re in a professional occupation.
Lenders specialising in mortgages for the police understand how your occupation works and are better placed to consider things like overtime when working out your income.
Is overtime included when assessing income?
A lot of high street lenders might not be able to consider things like your overtime, bonuses or shift allowances when calculating your income; however, specialist lenders will.
Mortgage providers that specialise in deals for police understand how your income works, so can include your additional income when assessing your application.
Your overtime will need to be consistent, and you’ll need to provide proof of all your additional income for at least the last six months. You may also need to provide evidence that your overtime will be available in the future.
Who is eligible for a police mortgage?
You will need to be a member of the UK police force or police staff to be eligible for the benefits of a police mortgage.
If you are newly qualified or in training, some lenders might not consider you. Many require you to have been in your role or on your career path for at least 10 years. However, some lenders are happy to include professionals who are only just starting out.
Remember that no matter how long you have been working in the police, you still need to pass all of the lender's eligibility criteria. These include having:
A large enough deposit saved up, usually at least 5% of the purchase price
A strong credit record
The affordability to comfortably meet the monthly repayments of the loan
You will also need to be a UK resident and at least 18 years old to apply for a mortgage, but some specialist lenders set their age limit at 21.
How to get a police mortgage
Here are the steps you should follow to help you find a police mortgage:
Before you apply for a mortgage, you need to understand how much you can borrow and what size loan you need. A mortgage calculator can give you an idea of how much you could get based on your income and deposit.
As part of the application process, you’ll need to supply several documents, including bank statements, utility bills and payslips. You'll also need to provide evidence if you get extra income from things like overtime.
To be accepted for any mortgage, you need to have a decent credit score. That’s why it’s important to check your credit report before you apply to make sure it’s as strong as it can be.
As a police officer or member of staff, most high street lenders might not meet your mortgage needs. A broker can learn about your situation and search the whole market to find a mortgage deal that works for you.
Our expert says...
“It can be harder to find a mortgage that works for you as a police officer. However, finding a lender that understands your needs and rewards your profession is possible.
Speak to one of our expert advisers who can talk you through your options and help you find the right police mortgage for your next home purchase.”
Police mortgages FAQs
There are no specific discounts and better rates you can currently access as a member of the police force.
However, by using a broker, you can find lenders that will allow you to borrow more or offer other benefits. Specialist lenders can have a better understanding of how your income works and can take into consideration extra earnings like overtime, which some high street lenders might not.
Not all lenders offer these incentives, or they may offer some, but not others. Just because a lender offers incentives to police officers doesn’t mean that it will be the best deal for you.
There are currently no specific mortgage products for police officers that allow you to buy with no deposit.
The best way to access a mortgage with no deposit is through a guarantor mortgage. This type of mortgage is secured by a third party, often a parent or family member, who agrees to cover your repayments if you cannot keep up with them.
There aren’t any specific schemes designed solely for members of the police force, but you can access other mortgage schemes available to everyone. These include:
How much you can borrow depends on your annual income and affordability.
Most mortgage lenders offer loans of 4 or 4.5 times your income. However, as a police officer, you may be able to find a lender willing to offer up to 6 times your income. This is because you’re seen as a low-risk applicant in a stable profession with good career progression.
For example, if your annual income is £40,000, with a standard lender, you might be able to borrow up to £180,000. However, a specialist lender could offer a loan of up to £240,000.
Don’t forget that what you can borrow will also be determined by your affordability and credit score. For example, if you have several debts you are repaying, this will reduce the total amount you could borrow.
To get the best possible mortgage deal, you need to have a good credit score. Most lenders will be unwilling to lend to you if you have a poor credit record, and if they do offer you a deal, it will probably be at a higher rate and on less favourable terms.
As a police officer, some lenders will be more flexible with their criteria because they recognise your occupation makes you a more attractive applicant. However, they may only offer extra incentives like a larger loan if you have a good credit score.
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Important info & marketing claims
You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage. Your savings will depend on personal circumstances.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
*The savings figure of £656 is based on Better.co.uk remortgage customers in April 2024. Read more on our marketing claims page.
We can't always guarantee we will be able to help you with your mortgage application depending on your credit history and circumstances.
Average mortgage decision and approval times are based on Better.co.uk's historic data for lenders we submit applications to.
Tracker rates are identified after comparing over 12,000 mortgage products from over 100 mortgage lenders.
As of January 2023, Better.co.uk has access to over 100 lenders. This number is subject to change.
For buy-to-let landlords, there's no guarantee that it will be possible to arrange continuous letting of a property, nor that rental income will be sufficient to meet the cost of the mortgage.
