In many cases, yes. Specialist lenders regularly consider self-employed applicants with adverse credit. It depends on your trading history, how you evidence income, the type and age of your adverse credit, your deposit and your affordability. Acceptance can never be guaranteed but a broker-led match gives you the best chance.

Two years is standard. Some lenders will consider one year with strong evidence, particularly for contractors or when adverse credit is historic. Longer trading histories give more choice.

Some lenders will consider salary plus retained profit rather than just salary plus dividends. This can significantly increase borrowing power for company directors. Not all lenders offer it, and adverse credit narrows the pool further.

Both, depending on the lender. SA302s and tax year overviews are widely accepted for sole traders. Ltd company directors may need full accounts. Specialist lenders often accept a range of evidence types.

Yes, it narrows the market. Fewer lenders will consider both sides of the case at once. That is why case placement with a specialist matters. The right first application avoids the hard searches that make later applications harder.

In many cases, yes. Some specialist lenders use day rate multiplied by working weeks as the affordability basis, and will consider adverse credit alongside. This works best for established contractors with a continuous contract history.

No. An initial conversation and a look at your situation is a soft enquiry and leaves no mark on your credit file. A hard search only happens later, with your permission, when you formally apply to a specific lender.

Our office is in Nottingham, at Park Lane Business Centre, NG6 0DW. You do not need to visit. We help self-employed adverse credit clients right across the UK by phone, email and video.