Remortgaging With Restricted Stock Units Or Bonus-Heavy Income
DIRECTOR AND MORTGAGE ADVISER
Specialist broker for high-earning professionals and complex income cases.
When your earnings are lumpy—big bonus, quarterly commission, or vesting RSUs—the trick is to normalise the story for underwriters. Here’s how to show stability, not volatility, so more of your genuine income may be considered.
Remortgaging With Restricted Stock Units Or Bonus-Heavy Income
Lenders often average bonuses over 6–24 months
RSUs: vested receipts help; unvested commonly excluded
Use P60s to smooth seasonal spikes
Provide vesting schedules and broker statements
Expect prudent caps on variable pay
Keep affordability anchored on salary
Package a tidy, chronological evidence set
Who This Guide Is For
UK professionals whose income blends base salary, bonus/commission, and equity compensation (RSUs/options)—often in finance, tech, legal or healthcare—with a remortgage due in the next 3–9 months.
Request your fee free mortgage consultation today. No obligation, just sound advice.
How Lenders Typically Treat Variable Pay & RSUs
Bonus/Commission: Commonly averaged over 6–24 months; some lenders cap the percentage they’ll include (e.g., 50–100% of the average). One-off awards may be reduced or ignored.
RSUs/Equity: Vested and evidenced receipts are far easier to include. Unvested future awards are usually excluded from affordability. A 12–24 month vesting history strengthens the case.
Currency & volatility: Equity paid in foreign currency or volatile stock is often treated conservatively or discounted.
Affordability anchor: Base salary remains the core anchor.
Packaging Your Case Correctly
Employment & Bonus
3 payslips + P60 (two years if you have it)
Bonus letters confirming frequency and any guarantees
Contract/offer letter for upcoming changes (start date, new salary)
RSUs/Equity
Employer equity statements and vesting schedule
Broker statements showing units vested/sold and GBP proceeds
Bank statements matching vest dates to credited amounts
Clean Narrative
1 page that summarises totals by year (salary, bonus, vested RSUs received)
Note any one-offs (e.g., sign-on, buy-out) and why they shouldn’t be averaged
How We’ve Helped Clients Like You
These clients faced similar challenges - here’s how we helped them secure the right deal.
Timing, Holds & Options
Reserve early: You can usually secure a rate 3–6 months ahead and switch to a cheaper option with the same lender if pricing improves before completion.
Product transfer vs remortgage: If affordability on new underwriting is tight, a product transfer may provide speed/continuity; if market pricing is sharper or you need features, a remortgage may win on total cost.
Valuation: Often automated; higher LTV or complex property may trigger a physical inspection.
Worked Example (Illustrative Only)
Profile
Base: £135,000 (GBP)
Bonuses (last 2 years): £40,000 and £30,000
RSUs vested (cash realised): £10,000 and £12,500 net respectively
Remortgage sought: £900,000 at ≤75% LTV
How a lender may view this
Salary considered: £135,000
Bonus considered: Average £35,000; lender includes 60–75% → £21,000–£26,250
RSUs considered: Regular vesting evidenced; lender includes a prudent proportion → £6,000–£10,000
Indicative “assessed income” range: £162,000–£171,250
Takeaway: the story + evidence often matters more than the raw headline numbers.
Speak To An Expert Today
Get in touch for a fee free, no-obligation chat about how we might be able to help you.
Common Hurdles — And Practical Fixes
Equity volatility: Provide a longer vest history and GBP sale proceeds to demonstrate consistency.
Probation/new role: Use a signed offer and start date; some lenders are comfortable (policy-dependent).
Large loans: Where multiples are tight, consider lenders that may offer enhanced income multiples for certain professions or explore private banks for bespoke underwriting.
Foreign currency receipts: Provide conversion evidence; expect prudential discounts.
Features & Structures To Consider
Part-and-part or interest-only (with a credible repayment strategy) can align cashflow to vesting/bonus cycles.
Overpayment flexibility helps you direct lump sums after bonus/vest dates.
Offset may reduce interest between vesting and tax payment while keeping cash liquid (personal funds only).
What Our Clients Say
Documents Checklist
ID & address history
3 months’ payslips and P60
Bonus letters / remuneration policy (if available)
Equity plan statements, vesting schedule, broker statements, relevant bank statements
Ready To Talk?
We’ll benchmark product transfer vs remortgage, normalise bonus/RSU evidence, and model total affordability across receptive lenders—so you lock in the right structure at the right time. Request your fee-free mortgage consultation.
Request your fee free mortgage consultation today. No obligation, just sound advice.
FAQs
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Sometimes, but many cap it and average over time. Expect prudence.
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Often partially, when there’s a track record of vesting and cash receipts. Unvested awards are usually excluded.
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Not always—but cash proceeds in GBP and a clear audit trail help inclusion.
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Many lenders discount foreign currency elements before affordability; good evidence mitigates but doesn’t remove prudence.
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For larger or complex cases, private banks can hand-underwrite and may offer bespoke structures—still subject to overall risk.
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