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RSU Mortgage Guide – Using Restricted Stock Units to Boost Your Borrowing

This guide explains how RSUs can be used for mortgage affordability, what documents you’ll need, and how deposit, visa status and property type affect your options. If RSUs form a meaningful portion of your total compensation and you want to maximise your borrowing power read on or get in touch.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) (or GSUs if you’re at Alphabet) are a major part of compensation for many UK-based employees working in large tech firms like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Despite this, most UK mortgage lenders still don’t understand RSUs, and many mortgage brokers don’t either.

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Last updated: 15th January 2026

Do RSUs Count as Income for a Mortgage in the UK?

Yes. RSUs can count as income for affordability and can materially increase what you’re able to borrow. However, most lenders will not accept them. To use them you will need to use one of the few lenders who do accept RSUs.

Even within the few that do accepts RSUs for mortgage affordability, the treatment of RSUs varies widely. This means that the same person would be able to borrow vastly different amounts from different lenders.

The best lenders for you may treat your RSUs much like basic salary, which can significantly increase your maximum borrowing.

For high-earning tech employees, this difference can be the deciding factor between buying the home you want… or not.

Why Do So Few UK Mortgage Lenders Accept RSU Income?

RSUs are still uncommon across the broader UK workforce. Because of this, most lenders haven’t created RSU-specific policy meaning underwriters are unfamiliar with stock compensation. The perceived risk is higher and banks are generally risk adverse with mortgage lending.

Many mainstream Mortgage brokers also rarely see RSU cases. Their default answer may be that RSUs “don’t count” or “aren’t worth using.” In practice, this is often wrong. When the correct lenders are considered, RSU income can meaningfully improve borrowing outcomes.

How Do lenders assess RSU Income

Of the few lenders who accept RSUs as income the treatment varies. Generally they are looking at the following key indicators:

How long have RSUs been received for
How much have you received in RSUs
Do you have evidence of vesting you RSUs, past and future

Does Selling RSUs Affect a Mortgage Application?

No. Selling them does not negatively affect your application. If anything, the lender expects to see you using the income and sold shares can even be used towards your deposit.

RSUs vs Cash Bonuses for Mortgage Affordability

Cash bonuses are very widely accepted. There are large variations between lenders as to how cash bonuses are assessed. Some will take all your bonus income; some will accept a fraction amount. Some lenders require just 3-month history for cash bonuses whereas some require 2 years history or treat it differently depending on how frequently it is paid. Some lenders even assess it differently depending on the variability.

If the mortgage you need can be obtained on a cash bonus alone it is often beneficial to do that. However, you can find out your maximum borrowing ability including RSU compensation and then apply to a lender who doesn’t accept RSU income if it turns out that you don’t need it.

How Long Do You Need to Have Been Receiving RSUs?

Different lenders have different rules, but the strongest RSU-friendly lenders usually want 2 years of RSU vesting history. Others may require 3 years but may have stronger criteria in another aspects, or lower rates.

The stronger and more consistent your vesting history is, the more likely a lender will treat your RSUs as stable ongoing compensation.

Do you need to have already had a contract extension to get a mortgage?

Unvested RSUs have not been realised as income and so cannot be used to support your mortgage application. However, knowing you still have unvested RSUs can help show sustainability of them. Lenders like sustainability and stability when it comes to assessing income, especially when it comes to RSUs.

Do lenders look at future vesting

Yes, to show future sustainability or your RSUs. If your future vesting is higher than your historic ones lenders won’t use the future amount as your income, however it does reassure them as to their sustainability.

What Documents Do You Need to Use RSUs for a Mortgage?

To use RSUs as income to support a mortgage application lenders typically require:

1–3 years of P60s
Your vesting schedule
Payslips showing RSU vesting or vesting history

Standard documents apply as well:

Last 3 months’ payslips
Bank statements (usually 3 months)
Proof of deposit
Evidence of cash bonuses if also being used

Depending on your situation, additional evidence may be needed (for example, right-to-reside documentation if you are not a British or Irish citizen). A credit report is also extremely helpful early in the process so potential issues can be addressed before a lender sees them.

How Much Deposit Do You Need for an RSU Mortgage?

The minimum is 5%, assuming everything else about the application is strong. You will be able to secure a more favourable interest rate with a larger deposit though.

New Build Houses

Some lenders require a larger deposit for new build houses because they are seen as higher risk. However, the most flexible RSU-friendly lenders can still consider applications with a 5% deposit.

New Build Flats

Lenders tend to be stricter when it comes to flats, particularly new build flats. A minimum 5% deposit is possible with RSUs, but far fewer lenders will offer this, so options are more limited.

Can RSUs Be Used as Part of the Deposit?

Yes. If some of your RSUs have already vested and sold, they can be used towards your deposit.

How Much Can You Borrow with an RSU Mortgage?

This varies considerably depending on the lender and your overall compensation. The most RSU-friendly lenders can treat your stock compensation much like basic salary, which means borrowing up to around 5.5 times your total annual compensation could be possible.

Before assuming your RSUs must be used, it makes sense to check whether your basic salary and any cash bonuses alone are enough. If they are, you may have access to more lenders and potentially cheaper mortgages. Some lenders can offer around 6 times your basic salary before considering bonuses or RSUs, although this depends on broader circumstances. I will always check this before recommending a mortgage.

If income from salary and bonuses is not enough to reach the borrowing level required, RSUs can make a significant difference.

How RSUs affect total mortgage affordability

If you receive as much income from RSUs as your cash compensation than using a lender who accepts RSUs can double your mortgage borrowing capacity.

How much of your RSUs can a mortgage lender use?

Some lenders will treat you RSUs like cash compensation (with the right evidence). The very best will look at your RSU amounts and treat it the same as your basic income though other lenders will partially discount the RSUs. For example, they may treat it the same as their bonus criteria and only accept 60% of your RSU compensation. The most flexible lenders don’t do this though.

Are Interest Rates Higher When Using RSUs?

Lenders do not charge a higher mortgage interest rate just because RSUs are being used. Your rate is the same as anyone else with the same profile who is not using RSU income applying to that lender.

The difference arises from the limited number of mortgage lenders who accept RSUs. If the cheapest lender on the market does not accept them, you naturally have to look elsewhere. The difference is generally small, often only fractions of a percent, and the impact on monthly payments is typically modest.

RSU Mortgages for Non-British Borrowers

A full range of deposit sizes is available, just like a permanently employed person. This means 5% and 10% deposits options are out there for people on a fixed term contract. It might vary slightly depending on how long you have been on your fixed term contract, and how long you have left though.

A larger deposit will mean you can access lower interest rates.

Larger deposits are sometimes needed on flats and new build houses for people in your situation. Unless you have a very long history of fixed term contracts with a long term still to run, 10% deposits are usually the minimum for flats and new builds. New built flats might require a 15% deposit. It can be possible with a 5% deposit, there are just fewer options.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Borrowers with Indefinite Leave to Remain are treated the same as British citizens. Some lenders require a minimum period of UK residency, often 1-3 years. In practice, people with RSUs are usually already in the UK long enough to meet these requirements by the time they apply.

Settled or Pre-Settled Status

Many lenders treat pre-settled status the same as Indefinite Leave to Remain, while others do not. This can affect both deposit requirements and lender choice. It can be possible to get a mortgage with pre-settled status with just a 5% deposit.

Visas

It is possible to get a mortgage using RSUs while on a visa, provided the visa permits employment in the UK. The most RSU-friendly lenders typically require at least one year in the UK with two years remaining on the visa. They ask for a 10% deposit. This can be gifted to you, even from overseas.

However, if you are applying jointly with someone who has Indefinite Leave to Remain, settled status or pre-settled status, then a 5% deposit can still be possible, even if that person does not have income of their own.

You can read about spouse visas and dependent visas specifically here.

Can RSUs Be Used by First-Time Buyers?

Yes. First-time buyers can use RSU income in the same way as home movers.

Can RSUs Be Used When Remortgaging?

Yes. RSUs can be used when remortgaging, provided the reason for borrowing more is acceptable to the lender. Common reasons include;

home improvements
transfer of equity (such as buying out an ex-partner)
repaying Help to Buy loans
debt consolidation
buying a second home
raising a deposit for a buy-to-let property

Borrowing more to pay a tax bill is usually not acceptable, nor is borrowing to invest in shares or cryptocurrency.

Can you port a mortgage and use RSU income?

This depends on whether your existing lender accepts RSUs. If they do not accept RSUs in their general criteria, then they are very unlikely to consider them even for an existing customer who has a perfect payment record. If your lender happens to be one of the few lenders that do accept RSUs then yes it can be possible

Can You Have an Interest Only Mortgage When Using RSUs?

Yes. You are assessed under the usual interest-only mortgage rules for that lender. These often include maximum loan-to-value limits, minimum income thresholds, term limits, and the need for a clear and acceptable repayment strategy. Many of these requirements are not restrictive for high-earning tech employees. Some lenders even allow interest-only for first-time buyers.

What Is an Interest-Only Mortgage?

An interest-only mortgage means your monthly payment only covers the interest charged by the lender. The balance does not reduce over time unless you make voluntary overpayments. At the end of the mortgage term, the lender requires full repayment, so you must have a credible strategy in place. Examples include;

selling the property (if there is already sufficient equity to buy a new home)
selling another UK property
using investments, pensions or cash savings

Expected future inheritance is not accepted.

Given that repayment mortgages can run over very long terms (up to 40 years), the difference in monthly payment between interest-only and a long-term repayment mortgage is often smaller than people expect. It is always worth comparing both options and an interest only mortgage should not be sought purely to minimize monthly payments.

Buy-to-Let Mortgages and RSU Income

RSUs rarely matter for buy-to-let borrowing. Affordability is based mainly on the expected rental income, not on the borrower’s employment income.

A 25% deposit is typical, though 20% is possible with some lenders.

What If My RSUs Are Paid in US Dollars?

Some lenders can consider foreign-currency RSUs, provided the currency is a major global currency such as US Dollars or Euros. Other currencies may be accepted case-by-case. At the time of writing, Chinese Yuan and UAE Dirhams are not accepted for this purpose.

Does My Employer Matter When Using RSUs for a Mortgage?

Yes, indirectly. Lenders are far more comfortable when RSUs come from large, stable technology firms with well-established compensation structures. Google (Alphabet), Meta, Amazon and Microsoft are all familiar names to underwriters. GSUs are treated the same as RSUs.

RSU Mortgage Broker

Very few mortgage brokers are familiar with RSU-based lending. RSUs behave differently from cash bonuses, and lender interpretations are varied.

I began specialising in this area after being asked by a friend who works at Google to help his colleague maximize his mortgage potential.

For RSU cases, my typical fee is £390. This is paid after we have met on Zoom and when you send me the required documents to commence research and obtain an agreement in principle. If it’s found that you cannot get a mortgage this would eb refunded.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

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