United Kingdom
UK affordability calculator
What UK lenders may offer — based on income multiples (4.0x–5.5x) and the FCA stress test — shown as a realistic range, not a single number.
Your finances
What you might borrow
UK lenders mainly use income multiples, then stress-test affordability — so this is a realistic range, not a single quote.
Estimated property price range (loan + deposit)
£220,000 – £287,500
Likely maximum loan, by income multiple
- Conservative (4.0×)
- £180,000
- Typical (4.5×)
- £202,500
- Enhanced (5.5×)
- £247,500
Based on a total income of £45,000.
Lenders must also check you could afford repayments if rates rose — typically tested at your rate plus at least 1 percentage point (here: ~5.92%) for a minimum of 5 years, per FCA rule MCOB 11.6.18R. The exact stress methodology varies by lender — this is the regulatory floor, not a single number every lender uses identically. If your fixed deal itself runs 5+ years, this specific stress test doesn't apply to that contract.
Enhanced multiples (5.5x+) are typically only available above roughly £75,000 income — the figure shown is illustrative of what's possible at higher incomes, not a guarantee at your income level.
Open the UK mortgage calculatorAn estimate to help you plan — not financial advice, a mortgage offer, or a guarantee of what any lender will lend. Figures vary by lender and your full circumstances.
UK mortgage affordability isn't a debt-to-income rule — lenders start from an income multiple, typically around 4.5× your income, then apply the FCA affordability and stress tests to check you could still pay if rates rose. This calculator estimates your likely borrowing and the property price it supports.
How this calculator works
Most lenders cap borrowing at roughly 4.5× income, sometimes 5–5.5× for higher earners or specific schemes. Joint applications combine both incomes.
On top of the multiple, the FCA requires lenders to stress-test affordability against a higher rate and your real outgoings, so the actual offer can come in below the headline multiple.
Your deposit then sets the property price: borrowing plus deposit equals the home you can buy — and a bigger deposit reaches a lower LTV band with better rates.
A worked example
A £50,000 income at a 4.5× multiple, with a £75,000 deposit:
- Estimated borrowing (4.5×)
- £225,000
- Plus deposit
- £75,000
- Property price supported
- £300,000
The FCA stress test and your outgoings can lower the actual offer below the 4.5× figure.
Who it's for
- You want to estimate what a UK lender might offer.
- You're used to the US debt-to-income model and want the UK equivalent.
- You're considering a joint application.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I borrow for a UK mortgage?
Usually around 4.5× your income, sometimes more for higher earners. A £50,000 income typically supports roughly £225,000 of borrowing before the deposit is added.
What is the FCA affordability stress test?
A rule requiring lenders to check you could still afford the mortgage if your rate rose, based on your real income and outgoings — not just the income multiple.
Do UK lenders use income multiples or debt-to-income?
Primarily income multiples plus an affordability assessment, unlike the US 28/36 debt-to-income approach. Your regular commitments still matter to the affordability check.
Does applying jointly increase what I can borrow?
Usually yes — lenders combine both incomes into the multiple, though they also weigh both applicants' outgoings and credit.