Police mortgages, explained
Police officers and staff can get an ordinary residential mortgage, and the job is usually viewed positively for its stable basic salary. The variable side is where lenders differ: shift allowance, overtime and, in some areas, London weighting or hard-to-fill allowances. Regular contractual allowances are generally counted, while overtime is treated more cautiously and some lenders count a proportion of it with a track record. The lender you choose decides how much of your real pay is used.
The stable base, the variable top
Policing gives you a dependable basic salary, which lenders like. On top sits a mix of shift allowance, overtime and, depending on your force and area, allowances such as London weighting or a hard-to-fill payment. Basic pay is always counted. The regular contractual allowances usually are too. Overtime is the grey area, because it varies, so lenders take different views. Choosing one that counts more of your real, regular income can noticeably increase how much you can borrow.
How police pay is often treated
| Pay element | How lenders often treat it |
|---|---|
| Basic salary | Used in full |
| Shift allowance (contractual) | Usually counted as a regular part of pay |
| London weighting or regional allowance | Generally counted where it is a stable, contractual payment |
| Overtime | Variable: some lenders count a proportion with a track record, others little or none |
Indicative only. How much of each element is used varies by lender and the evidence you provide.
What lenders want to see
- Recent payslips showing basic pay, allowances and overtime separately.
- Several months of payslips where you want overtime to be considered, to show it is regular.
- The usual checks: deposit, credit history and affordability against your commitments.
Common questions
Do police officers get special mortgages?
There is no police-only mortgage product today. What helps is a lender that understands police pay: a stable basic salary plus shift allowance, overtime and, in some areas, London weighting or hard-to-fill allowances. How much of the variable pay a lender counts is what changes your borrowing.
Will overtime and shift allowance count towards my mortgage?
Shift allowance that is a regular contractual part of your pay is usually counted. Overtime is more variable, so lenders differ: some count a proportion of regular overtime with a track record, others count little or none. Payslips that show these elements clearly, over several months, help a lender count more.
Does London weighting or a regional allowance count?
Regular, contractual allowances such as London weighting or a hard-to-fill allowance are generally counted where they are a stable part of your pay. As always, the proportion used can vary between lenders.
Is my job security an advantage?
A secure, salaried role with a public-sector employer is viewed positively for affordability, because the basic income is dependable. The main question is not whether you will be accepted in principle, but how much of your total pay a particular lender will use.
Want to understand how affordability is worked out? See how much can I borrow. Have a lot of variable pay? See complex income.
Founder, MortgageExplained, MortgageExplained
Adam spent nearly a decade as a mortgage adviser at Just Mortgages, with further experience in commercial finance. He is CeMAP and CF qualified. He built MortgageExplained to do one thing well: explain mortgages in plain English, then introduce you to a regulated broker when you are ready. Every page is written and reviewed by Adam.
Last reviewed: 21 July 2026