How much can you afford to borrow for a mortgage?

Before applying for a mortgage, you need to think about more than just whether you can afford the monthly repayments. Mortgage providers will look at your income and outgoings to see if you can keep up with repayments if interest rates rise or your circumstances change.

How lenders assess what you can afford

Mortgage lenders base their decisions on what’s known as the loan-to-income ratio – the amount you want to borrow divided by how much you earn.

The most you can borrow is usually capped at four-and-a-half times your annual income

They must also assess the monthly payment you can afford, after looking at your outgoings as well as your income.

This is called an affordability assessment.

The lender must also look ahead and ‘stress test’ your ability to repay the mortgage.

This is to make sure you’ll still afford repayments if the interest rate rises or there is a change to your lifestyle, such as:

  • redundancy
  • having a baby, or
  • taking a career break.

If the lender thinks you won’t be able to afford your mortgage payments in these circumstances, they might limit how much you can borrow.

Comparison websites are a good starting point for anyone trying to find a mortgage tailored to their needs.

Some of the biggest mortgage comparison websites are:

Remember:
  • Comparison websites won’t all give you the same results, so make sure you use more than one site before making a decision.
  • It’s also important to do some research into the type of product and features you need before making a purchase or changing supplier.

What the lender takes into account

When working out how much you can afford to borrow, the lender will look at:

1. Your income

This will include:

  • your basic income
  • income from your pension or investments
  • income in the form of child maintenance and financial support from ex-spouses
  • any other earnings you have – for example, from overtime, commission or bonus payments or a second job or freelance work.

You will need to provide pay slips and bank statements as evidence of your income.

If you’re self-employed you’ll need to provide:

  • bank statements
  • business accounts
  • details of the income tax you’ve paid.

You will normally have to provide two- or three-years’ worth of tax returns and business accounts. 

2. Your outgoings

 This might include:

  • credit card repayments
  • maintenance payments
  • insurance - building, contents, travel, pet, life, etc
  • any other loans or credit agreements you might have
  • bills such as water, gas, electricity, phone, broadband.

The lender might ask for estimates of your living costs such as spending on clothes, basic recreation and childcare.

They might also ask to see some recent bank statements to back up the figures you supply.

3. Future changes that might make an impact

The lender will assess whether you’d be able to pay your mortgage if:

  • interest rates increased
  • you or your partner lost their job
  • you couldn’t work because of illness
  • your life changed, such as having a baby or a career break.

It’s important that you also think ahead and plan how you’d meet your payments.

For example, you can help to protect yourself against unexpected drops in income by building up savings when you can.

Try to make sure it contains enough for three months’ outgoings, including your mortgage payments.

Government schemes

If you’re struggling to get approved for a mortgage or only have a small deposit, there are a number of government schemes available to help.

Thank you for your feedback.
We’re always trying to improve our website and services, and your feedback helps us understand how we’re doing.
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
Talk to us live for…
Talk to us live for…
Talk to us live for pensions guidance using…
Talk to us live for money guidance using…
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed

Calls from the UK are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Talk to us live for money guidance using the telephone.
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:8.00am – 6.00pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed

Calls from the UK are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Use our travel insurance directory to get a list of specialist providers you can contact directly, as we can't give you quotes.

Need further help? If you’ve used the directory or you need further help to find an insurer, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association can link you with a broker. Call: 0370 950 1790

If you’ve missed payments and are struggling with debt, call us and press 1 to speak to one of our debt advice partners. Hours
  • Mon - Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm
  • Sat Sun and bank holidays: Closed

Calls from the UK are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Our specialists are here to support you over the phone. Hours
  • Mon - Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm
  • Sat-Sun and Bank Holidays Closed

Calls from the UK are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Talk to us live for pensions guidance using web chat
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed
Talk to us live for money guidance using webchat
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:8.00am – 6.00pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed
Talk to us for pensions guidance using our web form

We aim to respond within 5 working days

Talk to us for money guidance using our web form

We aim to respond within 2 working days

Talk to us live for money guidance using WhatsApp

Download app: WhatsApp

For help sorting out your debt or credit questions. For everything else please contact us via Webchat or telephone.