High Net Worth Mortgages Explained

Liam Drummond
Sep 19, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 22, 2025

High-net-worth mortgages are designed for borrowers whose income, assets, or financial arrangements fall outside standard mortgage criteria. While many high-street lenders rely on automated affordability models, high-net-worth lending is usually assessed manually, allowing far greater flexibility when structured correctly.

At Drummonds Finance Group, we arrange high-net-worth mortgages for business owners, professionals, investors, and individuals with complex income or substantial assets, both locally and across the UK.

What Is a High Net Worth Mortgage?

A high-net-worth mortgage is typically used when income is irregular, derived from multiple sources, or does not fit standard affordability models. This might include large bonuses, dividend income, retained company profits, overseas earnings, or asset-based wealth rather than a simple monthly salary.

These mortgages are often arranged through private banks, specialist lenders, or bespoke underwriting teams who are able to take a broader view of a client’s financial position. Rather than relying on rigid formulas, lenders assess the full picture, including income history, assets, liabilities, future earning potential, and overall net worth.

Who Is Classed as High Net Worth?

There is no single definition, but you may be considered high net worth if your circumstances include one or more of the following.

You earn a high annual income, often £300,000 or more, or you receive income through dividends, bonuses, commission, carried interest, or overseas sources.

You may hold significant assets such as property portfolios, investments, trusts, or business interests. In some cases, clients have lower taxable income but substantial wealth, which requires a different lending approach altogether.

High-net-worth status is not just about earnings. It is about complexity and the need for lender discretion.

Why High Net Worth Mortgages Are Assessed Differently

Standard mortgages are largely automated. High net worth mortgages are not.

Lenders in this space typically use manual underwriting, meaning they can assess your application on its individual merits rather than relying on rigid affordability rules. This creates flexibility, but it also means the presentation of the case is critical.

Poorly structured applications, even from wealthy borrowers, can result in delays, unfavourable terms, or declines. A specialist broker ensures the right lender is approached, with the right information, in the right way.

Types of Income High Net Worth Lenders Will Consider

High-net-worth lenders are often able to consider income sources that many high street banks will not.

This can include dividend income, retained profits within a limited company, large annual bonuses, commission, investment income, trust income, overseas earnings, and asset-based affordability. Some lenders may also consider future earnings or liquidity where appropriate.

This flexibility is particularly relevant for business owners and company directors and closely aligns with our specialist self-employed mortgage advice.

Large Loan Sizes and High Value Properties

High net worth mortgages are commonly used for larger loan sizes, often above £1 million, and for high-value or complex properties.

This may include prime residential homes, high-value London or Oxford properties, properties with unusual construction, or purchases involving multiple properties or portfolios.

Loan structures can be tailored to suit your broader financial strategy, including interest-only arrangements, flexible repayment options, or alignment with investment planning.

Interest Rates and Terms for High Net Worth Mortgages

Interest rates for high-net-worth mortgages are often bespoke. While rates can be competitive, particularly through private banks or relationship-based lending, the focus is usually on overall structure rather than headline pricing alone.

Terms can include fixed or tracker options, flexible repayment features, and negotiated early repayment conditions. In some cases, clients benefit from relationship pricing where banking, investments, or assets are held with the same institution.

Privacy and Discretion

For many high-net-worth clients, privacy is just as important as cost.

Applications are often handled discreetly, with fewer credit searches and greater sensitivity around personal and financial information. A specialist broker helps manage this process carefully, ensuring only appropriate lenders are approached, and unnecessary exposure is avoided.

How a Specialist Broker Helps with High Net Worth Mortgages

High-net-worth clients often have more options, but that does not make the process any simpler. In fact, the stakes are usually higher.

A specialist broker helps by structuring the application correctly, selecting the most appropriate lenders, presenting complex income clearly, and managing the process efficiently from start to finish. This saves time, protects privacy, and improves the likelihood of securing favourable terms.

This is particularly important where income is complex, assets are held across multiple entities, or borrowing requirements are significant.

High Net Worth Mortgage Advice in Oxford, Bicester and Across the UK

We work with high-net-worth clients locally and nationwide. Whether you are purchasing in Oxford, Bicester, London, or elsewhere in the UK, we provide specialist mortgage advice tailored to complex financial situations.

If you are looking for a trusted mortgage broker in Oxford or a mortgage broker in Bicester, with the ability to support UK-wide high net worth cases, our team can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About High Net Worth Mortgages

Can assets be used instead of income? In some cases, yes. Specific lenders will consider asset-based affordability or liquidity alongside income.

Do high-net-worth mortgages require credit checks? Most lenders will still carry out credit checks, but the approach can be more flexible depending on the overall financial position.

Can high-net-worth mortgages be arranged through a limited company? Yes, this is common for property investors and business owners and links closely with limited company buy-to-let lending.

Are high-net-worth mortgages only for residential purchases? No. They can be used for residential, investment, or mixed property strategies.

Speak to a Specialist High Net Worth Mortgage Broker

High-net-worth mortgages require experience, discretion, and a clear understanding of complex financial structures. With the right advice, they can be arranged smoothly and on favourable terms.

If you would like to discuss your options, Drummonds Finance Group offers specialist high-net-worth mortgage advice across Oxford, Bicester, and the UK.