Mortgages & property
Mortgage affordability calculator (UK)
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Estimate the maximum mortgage you can borrow and the property price you can target. Uses your income, deposit, existing commitments and a +3% stress-test — the same affordability logic UK lenders apply.
Most lenders use 4.0–4.75. Some go to 5.5 for high earners.× income
£
£
Loans, credit cards, car finance, childcare, child maintenance.£
%
years
- Max property you can buy
- £238,000
- Max loan
- £198,000
- Loan-to-value
- 83.2%
| Total gross income | £45,000 |
|---|---|
| Income multiple (4.5×)Headline before affordability adjustments. | £202,500 |
| Reduction for other commitmentsApprox. 1.5× your annualised commitments. | −£4,500 |
| Estimated monthly payment at typed rate | £1,037.64 |
| Stress-test payment at rate + 3%Most lenders still apply a stress rate; budget for this. | £1,423.97 |
| Indicative maximum loan | £198,000 |
This is an indication only. Real lender decisions also factor in credit score, employment type, account conduct and the property itself. The Bank of England removed its mandatory 3% stress test in August 2022 but most lenders still apply their own — typically between rate+1% and rate+3%.
How it works
- We start from a headline figure of total household income × your chosen income multiple. Most UK lenders use 4.0–4.75×; some go to 5.5× for higher earners or specific schemes.
- We then reduce the loan by about 1.5× your annualised existing commitments (loans, credit cards, car finance, childcare). Lenders run a more detailed affordability check; this approximates the typical adjustment.
- We show the monthly payment at your chosen rate and at rate + 3% as a stress test. The Financial Policy Committee removed its mandatory 3% test in August 2022 but most lenders still apply their own stress (typically rate +1% to +3%).
Common questions
- Why is this different from what the bank told me?
- Banks run a full affordability check using your real bank statements, credit file, lender-specific stress rate and policy. This calculator gives you a realistic ballpark before you apply, not a guaranteed number.
- Should I use the maximum I can borrow?
- Borrowing to the maximum leaves no buffer if rates rise at remortgage or your circumstances change. Many people aim for a payment that is comfortable at rate + 3%, not just today's rate.
- Does this work for buy-to-let?
- No. Buy-to-let affordability is based on rental income covering 125–145% of the mortgage interest, not on the landlord's salary. Use the buy-to-let yield calculator instead.