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Can’t Prove Your Income? Self-Employed Ontario Homeowners Have BETTER Options

If you’re self-employed in Ontario, getting a mortgage with a bank can feel impossible.
December 3, 2025 by
Can’t Prove Your Income? Self-Employed Ontario Homeowners Have BETTER Options
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Your income looks “too low.”

Your NOAs don’t match your real earnings.

You write off expenses — because you’re smart.

Your deposits fluctuate.

Your accountant optimized your taxes… but the bank hates it.

Here’s the truth:

Banks don’t understand self-employed income — but Lendworth does.

And the best part?

You can still get approved using your home equity, even if:

  • your income is irregular

  • your NOAs show low net income

  • you’re newly self-employed

  • you have high write-offs

  • your credit isn’t perfect

  • you work contract, gig, or commission

Banks use formulas.

Lendworth uses common sense.

👉 See how much you qualify for in 2 minutes with a free EquityCheck™ report:

https://www.lendworth.ca/equity-check

🔥 Why Self-Employed Homeowners Get Declined by Banks

Banks require:

  • 2+ years of T1 Generals

  • 2+ years of NOAs

  • 2+ years of accountant-verified net income

  • GDS/TDS ratios that punish low-tax income

  • stable, predictable monthly deposits

…which almost no real small business owner or contractor can provide.

This is why self-employed homeowners are among the most declined borrowers in Ontario — even if they actually earn more than salaried employees.

But bank rules aren’t the only rules.

The Self-Employed Advantage Banks Don’t Count: Your Home Equity

Self-employed homeowners often have:

✔ higher home values

✔ more equity

✔ strong long-term financial stability

✔ assets banks ignore

✔ cash-flow that doesn’t appear on tax returns

And equity-based lending unlocks approvals banks can’t offer.

With Lendworth, your home equity matters more than your taxable income.

💡 If your home has equity, you can qualify — even with low declared income.

🏡 How Self-Employed Homeowners Get Approved Through Lendworth

Here’s what we approve based on:

1. Home Value

We determine true market value using EquityCheck™ + real comparables.

2. Equity Position (LTV)

As long as the loan-to-value is reasonable, approval is easy.

3. Your Ability to Make Payments

We evaluate cash flow, invoices, bank statements — not old tax returns.

4. Business Performance (Optional)

We may review contracts, revenue, or upcoming work — much more flexible than banks.

5. Your Goals

Refinance? Debt consolidation? Renovations? Business expansion?

Your purpose matters.

No stress test.

No income formula.

No accountant letters needed.

👉 Start with a quick equity report:

https://www.lendworth.ca/equity-check

🚀 What Self-Employed Borrowers Use Lendworth For

✔ Refinance to lower payments

Even if banks declined you.

✔ Second mortgages to grow your business

Working capital, equipment, payroll, expansion.

✔ Renovations & adding rental suites

Boost your value and cash flow.

✔ Debt consolidation

Turn 19.99% credit cards into one manageable payment.

✔ CRA tax debt solutions

Private lenders don’t blacklist you for owing taxes.

✔ Emergency cash flow

Fast solutions without bank paperwork.

Self-employment should be an advantage — not a penalty.

💬 Why Lendworth Works So Well for Self-Employed Canadians

Because we look at the whole picture:

  • How long you’ve been in business

  • Invoices and sales

  • Bank deposits

  • Contracts

  • Property value

  • Equity position

  • Real-life cash flow

Banks only look at:

❌ your NOA

❌ your declared net income

❌ strict ratios

That’s why so many self-employed homeowners switch to equity-based lending.

The First Step: Know Your Equity (It’s Usually More Than You Think)

Before approving you, any lender — even Lendworth — needs to know:

  • What’s your home worth today?

  • How much equity do you actually have?

  • What can you borrow safely?

Most homeowners underestimate their equity by $50K–$120K.

Find out in 2 minutes:

👉 Get Your Free EquityCheck™ Report

https://www.lendworth.ca/equity-check

🎯 Bottom Line: Self-Employed Homeowners Have MORE Borrowing Options — Not Less

Banks follow rigid tax-based income rules.

Lendworth follows real-world logic.

If you own a home in Ontario, you don’t need perfect income documents to get approved.

You just need equity — and most self-employed homeowners have far more of it than they realize.

👉 See exactly what you qualify for now:

https://www.lendworth.ca/equity-check

Lendworth makes financing work for real life — not bank formulas.