Maximum age to get a mortgage

The answer is "no" to both but circumstances may well flip-flop the answer to "yes" to both. The question is:

What are you planning to buy. and for how much, and how do you intend to repay the mortgage?

It is a self employed guy I deal with who was made redundant 6/7 years ago, had to sell his house and go into rented. He started a business 5 years ago and has reached a good income, increasing year on year, but is 57 and had a heart attack in late 40's so not really good for new life assurance.

A typical bank or BS will look for people who fit into their computer model. Other mortgage offerors will be more flexible and maybe charge a bit more.

There are no hard and fast rules because there are plenty of off-the- cuff lenders but they will all want rock-bottom security.

If your friend has a good accountant then a reference from him will be the startihg point.