Would a self cert mortgage work if you said that you would rent a couple of rooms out - maybe £150 to £200 / month (or more if this is reasonable) ?

Putting £300-400 in your self then £300-400 in from your tenants should get the mortgage paid (on a repayment also probably).

Point is, then you own the property, the tenants are just tenants (and you don't necessarily need them to be good friend - cos your not actually buying with them).

Depends if a self cert. would accept this - bit like a buy to let that you live in also.