Our calculator uses current industry lending criteria to provide realistic estimates. However, actual borrowing amounts vary between lenders and depend on your credit score, employment history, and existing financial commitments. We recommend speaking with a qualified mortgage adviser for precise figures tailored to your circumstances.

Lenders consider multiple factors, including your annual income, existing debts, credit history, employment stability, age, and the size of your deposit. They also assess your spending habits through bank statements and apply stress tests to ensure you can afford payments if interest rates increase.

Each lender has unique criteria and risk appetite. Some specialise in lending to self-employed borrowers, while others prefer employed applicants. Income multiples typically range from 4x to 6x your annual salary, but specialist lenders may offer higher multiples for certain professions or circumstances.

While most high street lenders cap borrowing at 5-6 times income, some specialist lenders offer up to 7 times salary for specific professions such as doctors, lawyers, or other high-earning professionals. These products often require larger deposits and come with stricter criteria. Speak to an adviser if you think you qualify for this.

A larger deposit typically unlocks better interest rates and may increase your borrowing potential. Most lenders require a minimum 5% deposit, but putting down 10-20% often provides access to more competitive deals and higher loan-to-value ratios from premium lenders.