You may be searching for a new mortgage and have seen these self cert mortgage products popping up all over the place - mortgages for people who cannot prove their income. But what are they exactly? Are you eligible for self cert? What do you need to do to be approved for a self cert mortgage?

A self cert mortgage is no different from any other mortgage, so you can expect the same offers and services as you would from any regular mortgage product. Like other deals, you can get a self cert mortgage as a fixed rate, tracker rate, buy-to-let or even as offset mortgage account. And a self cert mortgage is as flexible as any other mortgage: you can consolidate debt with one, you can opt for payment holidays and you can even apply for secured loans with a self cert mortgage.

The only difference is how they are approved. A self cert mortgage is for those who cannot prove their income, so they do not have a regular monthly cheque coming in. Maybe the borrower is self employed, maybe they have numerous jobs or maybe they are freelance or commission-based workers. Whatever the borrower's situation, they will need a mortgage that is not dictated by earnings. Lenders of self cert mortgage deals use credit scores and past financial performances to determine whether the borrower can afford a mortgage. This means if you are confident of your ability to earn, and have proof that you have done that in the past, that could be enough to get you a home loan.

And a self cert mortgage is a great option - it allows for a bigger mortgage as the loan amount is based on potential, not income multiples. So if you have had trouble raising a big mortgage because of income constraints, a self cert mortgage might be just the ticket to the mortgage you always wanted. It also gives scope for good borrowers to pay off their loans early - because paying off your mortgage is the best possible mortgage deal of all.

To be approved, you need a good credit rating, so go online and check yours is all in order. The affordability calculators that calculate risk on a self cert mortgage do so from credit scores, so any problems past or present could stand between you and your approval. Credit scores can be amended with the help of the credit agency, but a failed application cannot be amended by anyone, so know your rating inside out.

You also need good documentation of past finances to get approval, so get everything in order to show that you have earned well in the past and you are able to handle debts. Anyone who cannot prove their income can be eligible for self cert mortgage products, as long as they have a plan. Self cert mortgage lenders are obviously warier when it comes to a self cert mortgage - so don't give them anything to worry about with prudent foresight and planning.

So if you think your income stream is different, you could be approved for a self cert mortgage. Talk to an adviser and see if you are eligible for one of these great deals.