Earning a living online used to be niche. Today, it’s mainstream. Content creators—whether you’re a full-time YouTuber, TikToker, Instagrammer, podcaster, or newsletter publisher—are generating serious income and building long-term careers. But when it comes to mortgages, many lenders still don’t know what to make of you.
In Ireland, self-employed borrowers already face more scrutiny than salaried employees. As a content creator with irregular income and multiple revenue streams, you’ll need to go further to prove you’re mortgage-ready. The good news? With the right preparation, you can absolutely get mortgage approval—and Mortgage Navigators can help you every step of the way.
Not all lenders treat non-traditional income the same way. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Lender Type | Typical Approach to Content Creator Income |
|---|---|
| Main Banks (e.g. AIB, BOI) | Require 2–3 years of Form 11 tax returns. May be more cautious with influencer/brand revenue. |
| Broker-Only Lenders (e.g. Haven, Finance Ireland) | More open to varied income streams, especially when presented by an experienced broker. May allow income averaging. |
| Credit Unions | Case-by-case basis. More manual and slower, but sometimes flexible if you’re local. |
💡 We work with multiple lenders and know exactly which ones are more open to content creators.
Lenders want to understand where your money comes from and how sustainable it is. Here’s how common creator revenue types are treated:
| Income Source | Accepted by Lenders? | What You’ll Need |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube/Meta Ads | ✅ If consistent | Bank deposits + Form 11 |
| Brand Partnerships | ✅ If recurring | Contracts + invoices |
| Affiliate Marketing | ✅ If steady | Statements showing trends |
| Patreon/Substack | ✅ If over 12+ months | Subscriber history + bank records |
| Merch/Product Sales | ✅ As business income | Profit & loss accounts |
| One-off Viral Payments | 🚫 Not reliable | Best excluded unless part of broader pattern |
📌 Tip: Separate your income sources in your records. It shows lenders your business is diversified and resilient.
To satisfy underwriters, you’ll need to present your finances in a clean, structured way:
At least 2 full years of Form 11 and Chapter 4 tax documents
A Tax Clearance Certificate (Apply here)
A letter from your accountant summarising income trends, business type, and tax compliance
6 months’ personal and business bank statements
Invoices, contracts, or brand agreements
💡 If you’re using an accountant, ask them to prepare a mortgage-specific income summary.
Lenders are asking: If your income is irregular, how can we trust you to make repayments? Here’s how you prove it:
Shadow saving: Start transferring the amount you expect to pay in mortgage repayments into a savings account monthly
Strong debt-to-income ratio: Keep loans and credit card balances low
Savings track record: Demonstrates financial discipline and fallback options
Clean bank statements: No bounced direct debits, excessive spending, or online gambling activity
Lenders may ask: Is this a stable long-term career?
Be ready to answer with:
Evidence of recurring revenue (e.g. monthly Patreon or Substack growth)
Retainer contracts or planned collaborations
Follower/subscriber trends
Brand renewals or PR features
The influencer economy is growing fast—show them you’re part of that trend. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, the global creator economy exceeded €250 billion in 2023, with Ireland among the top 10 countries for creator earnings per capita.
Make life easier for yourself—and your lender:
Use accounting software (e.g. Xero, Quickbooks, Surf Accounts)
Maintain separate business and personal accounts
Track income by platform and by month
Use standing orders to simulate mortgage repayments
Consider a voluntary PRSA pension to show financial maturity
Working from home? If your property will include a home office or studio, disclose it early. Most lenders will have no issue if:
Business use is under 25% of the property
No clients visit the premises
The property remains residential in zoning
💡 Want to convert the attic into a studio? Ask your lender first—they may need to approve structural work.
Mortgage Protection Insurance (MPI) is required by law in Ireland. You may also need:
Income Protection Insurance (especially for self-employed borrowers)
Health disclosures if your content involves high-risk activities (e.g. adventure travel, stunts, or extreme fitness)
📌 Tip: Apply for insurance early—declines or delays here can hold up your drawdown.
Amy, a Cork-based content creator, earned income from TikTok brand partnerships, Substack subscriptions, and her Shopify store. Her income varied month to month, but she:
Filed two years of tax returns with her accountant
Saved €1,400/month for 10 months
Had three brand retainers in place for the coming year
With Mortgage Navigators’ help, Amy secured approval for a €320,000 mortgage and moved into her first home in April 2024.
Applying for a mortgage as a content creator can feel daunting—but you’re not the first, and you won’t be the last. The key is preparation, presentation, and the right support.
At Mortgage Navigators, we specialise in helping Ireland’s self-employed secure mortgages—including content creators, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs.
Book a free discovery call today and get expert advice tailored to your income, lifestyle, and goals.
Article by Margaret Barrett
Managing Director at Mortgage Navigators,