Complex Incomes: To RSU or Not RSU, that is the Question?

Scenario

Restricted Stock Unit Mortgage

Our example client is an IT consultant working for a large American company in London. A few years ago, she bought her flat in London using shared ownership. Since then, her property has increased in value and is now worth £750,000.

As her salary grew, she wanted to move away from shared ownership. Her goal was to get a standard mortgage and fully own her home.

I would recommend Will, from the first initial introduction that I had with him he gathered enough details on what my needs were and what as a company they could offer. Very professional, financial consultant company who kept me abreast from the word go he also explained any legal jargon and financial implications very clear. Would I use them again, yes especially when it comes to mortgage or remortgage you want someone with experience and knowledge to help with your search and assure what you are committing. So, thank you for your excellent service and negotiating a deal on my behalf.

I had only recently started my Ltd company and all mortgage brokers were telling me I needed at least 1 years’ worth of accounts to be able to secure a mortgage offer. Until I spoke to Cleerly, they were able to secure an offer in a matter of weeks and were a pleasure to deal with. I would recommend Will and Cleerly to anyone looking to secure a mortgage. Great service.

Andrew is very knowledgeable, prompt and very professional. Courteous, sharp and inventive, Andrew got my mortgage sorted twice in times when it was quite difficult to arrange one. The main thing though is Andrew is very confident and reliable and always delivered on his promises.

Great service. Quick and responsive. Got me a good deal and made multiple changes due to some issues I encountered.

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Mortgage Needs

To achieve her objectives, she needs to remortgage her London flat and raise money to buy out the remaining share. She needs a total mortgage of £550,000, including £450,000 for the capital raise.

Although the goals are clear, the journey is more complicated. The main issue is how to set up the mortgage in the best, most affordable way, as her income situation is not straightforward.

Why RSU Income Makes Things Complicated

A big part of her yearly pay is given as Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).

Many high street lenders find this difficult. They often don’t count all of the RSU income or use only a small portion when deciding how much you can borrow. On top of that, the few lenders who will consider the full RSU income do not offer the most competitive rates.

Our job is to find a lender who will see the full value of our client’s earnings without charging her more, so she could own her home on fair terms.

How Cleerly Specialist Mortgage Broking Can Help

At Cleerly, we look at every detail to find the best route forward. Simply finding a lender who will accept RSU income is not always the right move; you need the best option for your long-term finances.

We will carry out a detailed assessment to see what will work best with or without including RSU income. We:

Check which lenders’ rules match the indicated base salary

Look at how much a client could borrow just on their main pay

Compare interest rates to make sure they don’t get charged extra for a “complicated” income

Cleerly’s Straightforward Solution

In this example, it’s possible to avoid RSU mortgage complication completely. A lender can offer a strong income multiple using just her salary.

This means she could get the full £550,000 mortgage without having to rely on RSU income. By not using her RSUs, we don’t need to turn to specialist lenders with higher rates.

This approach works for three reasons:

1. Better Rates: Finding a lower interest rate in comparison to banks that use RSU income

2. Less Complication: The application process becomes much simpler

3. Smooth Approval: Lenders are more confident based on Cleerly’s clear presentation, so the approval process is easier and more efficient

Complex Incomes Need Specialist Support

This example demonstrates that the simplest route isn't always the one that uses every part of your income. Sometimes it's more practicable to shape the mortgage application so you don't have to use all these extra income types. By staying focused and knowing each lender’s rules, we could help this client to fully own her home on the best terms.

Why Choosing a Specialist Broker Matters

Lender policies for RSUs can differ a great deal. A standard “salary-only” route could limit your borrowing options.

A specialist mortgage broker like Cleerly can:

Find lenders who accept up to 100% of your RSU income

Check if using your RSU income is really best for you

Structure your application to make your assets stand out

Help prepare documents so there are no delays

Connect you with lenders who can offer flexible terms for high earners

As a specialist mortgage broker, Cleerly has the experience and expertise to help you turn your RSU income into homeownership. Fill in our online form to request a call back or speak to a member of the team today on 02394 212912.