Almost one in four aspiring homeowners have remained in roles they dislike in order to improve their chances of securing a mortgage, according to new research from LendInvest Mortgages.
The survey, conducted by Opinium Research in the autumn of 2025, polled 1,000 UK adults planning to purchase or remortgage within the next five years.
It found that 23% had stayed in a job they did not enjoy to increase their prospects of being approved for a mortgage.
Some 19% said they had chosen a higher salary over their “dream job” to appear more lendable to mortgage providers.
The figure rises to 25% among those aged 18–34, underlining the particular pressures facing younger borrowers.
The research also suggests that mortgage criteria are influencing entrepreneurial ambitions. Around 13% of respondents said they had delayed or cancelled plans to start their own business, while 12% had postponed or abandoned moves into self-employment or freelance work in order to strengthen their mortgage application.
LendInvest said the findings point to a disconnect between the changing profile of modern borrowers and the criteria of some mainstream lenders.
More than a third – 35% – of applicants said they felt discouraged by traditional lenders because of their employment status. Among 18–34 year olds, this rose to 40%.
The emotional impact is also apparent. One-third, 33%, of borrowers said they felt “judged” by traditional lenders, with an identical proportion reporting that they felt judged by mortgage providers more generally.
Paula Mercer, sales director at LendInvest, said: “This data confirms that the profile of today’s modern homebuyer is changing, and high street lending criteria remains rigid.
“Making important career decisions shouldn’t get in the way of applying for a mortgage. That’s why specialist lenders like LendInvest can be an important resource to mortgage intermediaries and brokers.
“We’ve recently enhanced our residential lending criteria, free from the high street rigidity. We can take into account complex income streams and employment structures, including the self-employed.
“Our modern approach to underwriting factors in credit histories, not a credit score, and we will remain committed to supporting all types of borrowers in achieving their goals of purchasing or remortgaging a home.”
