Must I be made permanent at work to get a mortgage?

Q I am currently having problems getting a mortgage. Until January 2005 I was a PhD student. After that I worked on a temporary contract but have now recently started a new permanent job with the civil service.

My salary is £22,000 a year, I had hoped to get a mortgage of up to £75,000 and I have up to £28,000 in savings to put down on the property. Potential lenders are not willing to lend because my new job has a standard six-month probationary period. Can you suggest any way round this problem?

PW

A I get asked this question a lot and I'm sorry to have to disappoint you but the only way round the problem is to wait until your probationary period has come to an end and you are confirmed as a permanent member of staff.

Lenders are a cautious bunch and like to know that their borrowers have a steady source of income. Their reticence to lend can be explained by the fact that until your probationary period is up, there's always the risk that you could be out of a job - and so without the necessary income to make mortgage repayments.

But once you are confirmed in your job, I should imagine that you should have no trouble getting the mortgage you want. The fact that you have such a sizeable deposit means that you should also have access to the best mortgage deals.