LendInvest Research: 23% of Aspiring Homeowners Trapped in Jobs They Dislike to Secure Mortgages

London, 23 February – Research from LendInvest Mortgages (LSE: LINV), a technology-backed specialist lender, has revealed the professional toll of the UK’s rigid lending landscape, highlighting that nearly a quarter of aspiring homeowners are sacrificing their career happiness to secure a mortgage.

Conducted by Opinium Research in the autumn of 2025, the survey of 1,000 UK adults seeking to purchase or remortgage a home within the next 5 years, revealed that 23% of respondents said they have remained in a job they dislike to increase their chance of getting a mortgage. 

One in five (19%) revealed that they have taken a higher salary over their dream job to ensure their income met lending criteria, and that rises to one-quarter (25%) of 18-34 year olds. The research also found that 13% of respondents delayed or cancelled plans to start their own business, and 12% delayed or cancelled plans to become self-employed or freelance.

The data highlights a growing disconnect between today’s modern homebuyer and high street banks; With 35% of applicants feeling discouraged by traditional lenders due to their employment status, rising to 40% for the 18-34 demographic

The emotional toll is clear in the data as well, with one-third (33%) of borrowers feeling ‘judged’ by traditional lenders.

Commenting on the research, Paula Mercer, Sales Director at LendInvest, says: “This data should serve as a wake-up call for the industry. It’s unacceptable that in 2026, nearly a quarter of buyers feel forced to put their career happiness on hold just to fit a rigid, outdated lending box. 

When a third of applicants walk away feeling ‘judged’ rather than supported, it’s clear the traditional system is broken. 

At LendInvest, we believe a mortgage should be a gateway to a borrower’s future, not a barrier to their ambition.  

We don’t just look at a credit score; we look at the person behind the professional. By focusing on nuanced underwriting and complex income structures, we aim to provide tailored solutions that bridge the gap between non-standard career paths and homeownership.”