Published on October 30, 2026
Many people earn more than just their basic salary. Overtime, bonuses and commission can make a big difference to your monthly income, but when it comes to applying for a mortgage, lenders may not all treat this extra income in the same way.
Some lenders may be willing to use overtime, bonus or commission income as part of your affordability assessment, especially if it is regular and can be evidenced. Others may only use part of it, average it over a certain period, or take a more cautious view if the income is irregular.
In this article, we’ll explain how lenders may assess overtime, bonus and commission income, what documents you may need, and why choosing the right lender can make a big difference to how much you may be able to borrow.
Yes, extra income may be used for a mortgage application, but it depends on the lender and how reliable the income appears. Over time, bonuses and commissions can help with affordability, but lenders usually want to see that the income is regular, sustainable, and supported by evidence.
For example, someone who receives overtime every month may be assessed differently from someone who only worked extra hours once or twice. The same applies to bonuses and commissions. A regular track record is usually stronger than a one-off payment.
Lenders may consider:
| Extra income type | What lenders may want to know |
| Overtime | Is it regular, occasional or guaranteed? |
| Bonus | Is it monthly, quarterly, annual or one-off? |
| Commission | Is it consistent, or does it change heavily each month? |
The key point is that not all lenders will use the same figure. Some may use all of the extra income, some may only use a percentage, and others may ignore it if it does not meet their criteria.
Overtime income may be considered by some lenders, especially if it is regular and clearly shown on your payslips. The more consistent the overtime is, the easier it may be for a lender to include it in its affordability assessment.
Some lenders may use the full amount of regular overtime, while others may only use a percentage. If the overtime is occasional, seasonal, or not guaranteed, the lender may take a more cautious approach.
| Overtime type | How lenders may view it |
| Regular overtime | May be more likely to be considered |
| Guaranteed overtime | It could be stronger if confirmed by your employer |
| Occasional overtime | May be assessed more cautiously |
| Seasonal overtime | May need a longer track record |
| Recently started overtime | May need more evidence before being used |
Lenders may ask for recent payslips, a P60, or an employer letter to confirm how often the overtime is paid and whether it is expected to continue.
Bonus income can sometimes be used for a mortgage application, but lenders will usually want to understand how regular and reliable it is. A bonus paid monthly or quarterly may be viewed differently from a one-off annual bonus that is not guaranteed.
Some lenders may average your bonus income over a period of time, while others may only use a percentage of it. This is because bonus income can change depending on company performance, personal targets, or wider business conditions.
| Bonus type | How lenders may view it |
| Monthly bonus | May be considered if shown regularly on payslips |
| Quarterly bonus | May need a track record over several payments |
| Annual bonus | May be averaged over one or two years |
| Performance bonus | May be treated cautiously if it changes often |
| One-off bonus | Less likely to be relied on for affordability |
If your bonus forms a large part of your overall income, the lender may ask for payslips, P60S, bonus statements, or a letter from your employer confirming how the bonus works.
Some lenders may consider commission income, but it often requires closer review because it can vary from month to month. This is common in roles such as sales, recruitment, estate agency, car sales, finance, and other target-based jobs.
Lenders will usually want to see whether your commission is consistent, how long you have been receiving it, and whether it is likely to continue. If your commission is regular and forms part of your earnings, some lenders may include it in their affordability calculations. If it is unpredictable or recently started, they may take a more cautious approach.
Lenders may ask for:
| Commission pattern | How lenders may view it |
| Regular monthly commission | It may be easier to provide evidence |
| Fluctuating commission | May be averaged over time |
| Recently started commission | May need more history |
| One-off large commission | May be treated more cautiously |
Commission can make a real difference to borrowing potential, but only if the lender is comfortable using it. This is why it is important to choose a lender that understands your income structure.
If you want a lender to consider overtime, bonus or commission income, you will usually need to provide evidence. The exact documents will depend on the lender and how your extra income is paid, but the aim is to show that the income is genuine, regular and likely to continue.
| Document | Why it may be needed |
| Latest payslips | To show basic salary and extra income payments |
| P60 | To confirm total earnings over the tax year |
| Bank statements | To show income being received into your account |
| Employment contract | To confirm your role, salary and employment terms |
| Employer letter | To confirm overtime, bonus or commission arrangements |
| Bonus statements | To evidence regular or annual bonus payments |
| Commission statements | To show how commission is calculated and paid |
Some lenders may only ask for three months’ payslips, while others may want a longer track record, especially if the extra income is irregular or makes up a large part of your earnings.
When overtime, bonus or commission income is involved, choosing the right lender can make a big difference. This is because lenders do not all calculate extra income in the same way.
One lender may use most or all of your regular extra income, while another may only use a percentage. Some may average it over three months, six months, one year or two years. Others may ignore it completely if they feel it is too irregular.
| Income | Lender A | Lender B |
| £30,000 basic salary | Uses £30,000 | Uses £30,000 |
| £6,000 regular overtime | Uses full £6,000 | Uses 50%, so £3,000 |
| Income used for affordability | £36,000 | £33,000 |
In this example, both lenders are considering the same applicant but use different income figures. That could affect how much the applicant can borrow.
The cheapest mortgage rate is not always useful if the lender will not accept the income you need them to use. For applicants who rely on overtime, bonus or commission, lender criteria can be just as important as the interest rate.
At Search Mortgage Solutions, we can compare options from a wide variety of lenders and help identify lenders that may be more suitable for the way your income is paid.
Using overtime, bonus, or commission income for a mortgage can be helpful, but a few common mistakes can cause problems during the application process.
Not every lender will use overtime, bonus or commission income in full. Some may use a percentage, some may average it, and others may not include it if there is not enough evidence.
If the extra income has only appeared once or twice, a lender may be reluctant to rely on it. A stronger track record can make it easier to evidence that the income is regular.
A one-off bonus or an unusually high commission month may not be treated the same as regular income. Lenders usually want to understand what is normal and sustainable.
New loans, credit cards, car finance, or buy-now, pay-later agreements can affect affordability. Even if your income is high, extra monthly commitments may reduce how much you can borrow.
Your bank may not always be the most suitable lender for your income structure. If your mortgage depends on overtime, bonus or commission being used, it is worth checking how different lenders may assess it before applying.
If your income includes overtime, bonus or commission, it can be difficult to know how much a lender will actually use. This is where speaking to a mortgage broker can help.
At Search Mortgage Solutions, we offer 100% fee-free mortgage advice and can help you understand which lenders may be more suitable for the way your income is paid.
We can help you:
Different lenders treat overtime, bonus and commission income differently. Some may use all of it, some may use part of it, and others may not use it at all if it does not meet their criteria.
Search Mortgage Solutions is based in Manchester and helps clients locally and across the UK. Our mortgage advice service is 100% fee-free to you, as our fee comes from commission paid by the mortgage lender if your mortgage completes.
Over time, bonus and commission income can help strengthen a mortgage application, especially if it is regular, reliable, and easy to evidence. However, lenders do not all treat extra income in the same way.
Some lenders may use the full amount, some may use only part of it, and others may take a more cautious view if the income is irregular or has only recently started. This means the lender you choose can affect how much income is used for affordability and how much you may be able to borrow.
Before applying, it is worth getting your documents ready, including recent payslips, your P60, bank statements, and any bonus or commission evidence. This can help the lender better understand your income.
At Search Mortgage Solutions, we offer 100% fee-free mortgage advice and have access to mortgage options from a wide variety of lenders. We can help you understand how lenders may assess your overtime, bonus or commission income before you apply.
Earn overtime, bonuses or commission and want to know how much you may be able to borrow? Get in touch with Search Mortgage Solutions today to speak with a mortgage adviser.