“We stick with lenders who understand this world, like Nationwide and Skipton,” said Hines. “They’ll use current contracts, even if there are only a few weeks left, so long as there’s a proven track record in the industry.”
Misconceptions limit access
One enduring myth is that freelance creatives are financially unstable. Hines sees the opposite. “I’ve done dozens of cases with Nationwide, and I bet none have defaulted,” she said. “They’re constantly working—it just doesn’t look like a typical nine-to-five.”
The industry is far from niche. According to government figures, 28% of jobs in the UK’s creative industries are self-employed – double the national average across all sectors.
Complicating matters, the insurance side often doesn’t align. “You might use a contract to prove income for the mortgage, but then be forced to use a tax return for income protection,” she said. “It’s inconsistent.”
Referrals drive trust
With TV crews often shifting from set to set, WhatsApp groups and peer referrals are how most find a broker. “It only takes one person saying, ‘I’m struggling,’ and someone replies, ‘Talk to Natalie,’” she said. “That’s how nearly all my business comes in.”
Source: How brokers can better serve the UK’s freelance creatives
