How much can you borrow?

Most UK lenders offer 4 to 4.5 times your annual gross income, with some offering up to 5 to 5.5 times in certain circumstances. For a £50,000 salary, expect £200,000 to £250,000 borrowing. Joint applications combine both incomes. Your actual borrowing depends on credit history, monthly commitments, and lender-specific criteria.

Lenders use income multiples (4 to 4.5× annual income) plus comprehensive affordability assessments. They stress test at 3% above quoted rates, deduct all monthly commitments, and assess living expenses using your spending or ONS data. You must pass both the income multiple and the affordability test to get approved.

Yes. Joint mortgages combine both applicants' incomes, significantly increasing borrowing capacity. Two £40,000 earners could borrow £320,000 to £400,000 together versus £160,000 to £200,000 individually. Both applicants' credit histories and monthly commitments are assessed alongside the combined income.

Deposits don't directly increase your income-based borrowing limit, but a larger deposit provides better interest rates (reducing monthly payments) and unlocks a wider range of mortgage products. Minimum deposits: 5% for residential mortgages, 25% for buy-to-let.

This calculator provides estimates based on typical lending criteria. Actual offers depend on credit checks, documented income verification, detailed expenditure reviews, and lender-specific policies. Speak to a mortgage adviser for precise figures based on your specific circumstances, they often find higher borrowing than the calculator suggests.

Some lenders offer up to 5 to 5.5× for larger deposits (20%+), certain professions (doctors, lawyers, teachers), high earners, or specific mortgage products. A mortgage adviser can identify which lenders offer higher multiples for your particular situation and income profile.

Yes. Most lenders prefer two to three years' accounts from self-employed applicants, though some accept one (SA302s or business accounts). Lenders average profits over 2 to 3 years, though some use the latest year for increasing income. Specialist lenders understand complex income structures including contractors, freelancers, and directors.

Bad credit can reduce affordability by 10 to 30% depending on severity and recency. Specialist lenders assess each case individually. Larger deposits, lower loan-to-value ratios, and time since credit issues all improve your options. Recent defaults or CCJs have more impact than older issues.