UK Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Find out how much you can borrow in the UK. Includes FCA stress testing at rate +3%, income multiple comparison (4x to 5.5x), and LTV tier analysis. Covers joint applications, Help to Buy, and Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor.
See what you can borrow at each multiple on your total income of £60,000. Higher multiples require stronger applications.
| Multiple | Max Borrowing | Max Purchase | Monthly Payment | Who Offers It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4x | £240,000 | £280,000 | £1,334/mo | All lenders |
| 4.5x | £270,000 | £310,000 | £1,501/mo | Most high street banks |
| 5x | £300,000 | £340,000 | £1,667/mo | Building societies, specialists |
| 5.5x | £330,000 | £370,000 | £1,834/mo | Specialist lenders, professionals |
Different lender types offer different multiples. Your total income is £60,000.
How to Use This UK Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Enter your gross annual income (add a joint income if applying with a partner), your monthly committed expenses (loans, credit cards, car finance), your deposit, and the current interest rate. The calculator shows your maximum borrowing under FCA rules, your monthly payment, and whether you pass the FCA stress test.
What Counts as Committed Expenses?
- Personal loans and hire purchase agreements
- Credit card minimum payments
- Car finance (PCP or HP)
- Child maintenance payments
- Student loan repayments (Plan 1, 2, or 5)
Regular living expenses like food, utilities, and subscriptions are not included here — lenders model these separately using ONS data or declared spending.
UK Mortgage Income Multiples Explained
Building societies: up to 5x gross income
Specialist lenders: up to 5.5x gross income
Example: £60,000 income
4.5x = £270,000 max borrowing
5.5x = £330,000 max borrowing
Most lenders use 4–4.5x as their standard multiple. Higher multiples of 5–5.5x are available to applicants with larger deposits (10%+), no unsecured debt, and incomes above £75,000, or to qualified professionals such as doctors, solicitors, and accountants.
FCA Affordability Stress Test
Since the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) in 2014, the FCA requires lenders to test that borrowers can still afford their mortgage if interest rates rise. The stress test uses the higher of:
- The lender's Standard Variable Rate (SVR) plus 3%
- A minimum of 7%
If your stressed payment exceeds roughly 45% of your net monthly income (after tax and committed expenses), lenders will typically decline or offer a lower amount.
Example: First-Time Buyer Affordability
Sarah and James Buying Together in Manchester
Sarah earns £42,000 and James earns £35,000 — joint income £77,000. They have £30,000 deposit and current rates are 4.5%.
| Joint Income | £77,000 |
| Maximum at 4.5x | £346,500 |
| Deposit | £30,000 |
| Max Purchase Price | £376,500 |
| Monthly Payment (4.5%, 25yr) | £1,916/mo |
| Stressed Rate (7.5%) | 7.5% |
| Stressed Monthly Payment | £2,531/mo |
| Stress Test | PASS (within 45% net income) |