Switching from full-time permanent employment to contractor

Hi All,

My fiancé and I are getting married in Jan 2025 and would be looking to purchase our first home 3-9 months afterwards.

I'm currently in full time permanent (salaried) employment as is my partner. However, I have the potential opportunity to switch to contract work (outside IR35) in the new year. The day rate on offer would work out more than my current salary.

However, I am concerned how this move may affect any future mortgage application. By the time we are applying I would likely only have been in contract work for 3-6 months.

I read that contract workers or self employed people need to provide 1 or 2 years tax returns but I obviously wont yet have them at time of application. Would proof of earnings from the 3-6 month contract work that I would have done and payslips from my previous full time employment be sufficient?

The contract opportunity is something I am really keen to explore but don't want it to hamper any future mortgage application.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.