How Much Can I Borrow?

UK lenders typically offer 4-4.5x your annual salary. See how much you could borrow and what the monthly repayments would be.

How Mortgage Affordability Works

UK lenders use income multiples to determine how much you can borrow. Most banks offer between 4 and 4.5 times your annual salary, though some specialist lenders may stretch to 5 or 5.5 times for certain professions. Joint applicants can combine their incomes to increase borrowing power.

What Affects Your Borrowing Limit

Several factors influence how much a lender will offer you:

• Gross salary — your annual income before tax and deductions
• Existing debts — credit cards, car finance, and student loans reduce your borrowing capacity
• Deposit size — a larger deposit unlocks better rates and higher loan-to-value ratios
• Credit history — a strong credit score helps you access higher income multiples
• Monthly outgoings — lenders assess whether you can comfortably afford repayments alongside living costs

Stress testing your affordability

Lenders are required to stress test your mortgage affordability by assessing whether you could still afford repayments if interest rates rose by 3 percentage points above the lender's standard variable rate. This means even if you apply for a fixed-rate mortgage at 4.5%, the lender will check you could afford payments at around 7.5% or higher. This stress test often reduces the maximum amount you can borrow below the simple income multiple calculation. First-time buyers should also factor in stamp duty, conveyancing fees, surveys, and moving costs when assessing their total budget. Using this calculator alongside our mortgage repayment calculator gives you a complete picture of what you can realistically afford.