📊 How Much Could You Borrow in 2026?
What actually determines your mortgage limit
- Most lenders offer between 4x and 4.5x income as a starting point.
- Higher income, low outgoings and strong credit can increase this.
- Fixed commitments reduce borrowing power.
- Stress testing means lenders check affordability at higher rates.
- The “maximum” isn’t always the “comfortable” amount.
1 | The Simple Answer (But Not the Whole Story)
Many people hear:
“You can borrow around 4 to 4.5 times your income.”
That’s broadly true.
But it’s only the starting point.
Your actual borrowing amount depends on:
- Income type
- Outgoings
- Credit profile
- Dependants
- Deposit size
- Loan term
2 | Income: It’s Not Just Salary
Lenders may include:
- Basic salary
- Overtime (if consistent)
- Bonus / commission (often averaged)
- Self-employed profits
- Dividends
- Rental income (in some cases)
But income must be sustainable and evidenced.
3 | The Silent Killer: Fixed Outgoings
Your borrowing capacity reduces when you have:
- Car finance
- Personal loans
- Credit card balances
- BNPL commitments
- Childcare
- High mobile/broadband costs
Every fixed commitment is deducted before affordability is calculated.
That’s why reducing monthly outgoings can improve borrowing power.
4 | Stress Testing: The Bit People Forget
Even if rates are lower today, lenders assess affordability at a higher “stress rate”.
This ensures:
- You could still afford payments if rates rise
- Borrowing remains sustainable
- Risk is controlled
So affordability isn’t just about today’s rate — it’s about resilience.
5 | Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Just because you can borrow a certain amount doesn’t mean you should.
A comfortable mortgage:
- Leaves breathing room
- Allows savings
- Covers unexpected costs
- Reduces financial stress
Maximum borrowing and comfortable borrowing are often different numbers.
📞 Want to See What You Could Borrow?
This website provides information only and does not offer advice.
We can introduce you to specialists who can:
- Assess your income and outgoings
- Provide tailored guidance
- Help you understand realistic borrowing limits
- Connect you with suitable advisers
Information only: We introduce visitors to specialist advisers who provide regulated advice in their own capacity.