Discover Your UK Borrowing Capacity
Calculate how much you can borrow for a mortgage based on your income, expenses, and UK lending criteria. Get instant results with our professional affordability calculator.
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Essential information about mortgage affordability in the UK
UK lenders typically use income multiples (usually 4-4.5 times annual income) combined with affordability stress testing. They assess your ability to repay at higher interest rates and consider all your regular expenses and existing debts to ensure you can comfortably manage payments.
Key factors include your gross annual income, monthly expenses, existing debts, credit score, deposit size, employment stability, and the chosen mortgage term. Lenders also consider future interest rate changes and your overall financial resilience.
You can improve affordability by increasing your deposit, reducing existing debts, improving your credit score, extending the mortgage term, or applying jointly with a partner. Consider timing your application when your income is stable and your financial position is strongest.
Most UK lenders offer up to 4.5 times your annual income, though some may offer more for high earners or professionals with larger deposits. The exact multiple depends on your individual circumstances, the lender's criteria, and current market conditions.
Lenders test your ability to afford mortgage payments at interest rates typically 3% above the standard variable rate. This stress testing ensures you can manage payments if rates increase during your mortgage term, protecting both you and the lender from financial difficulty.