UK mortgages, made clearer
UK mortgage affordability, made clear.
A clearer path to your first home.
Start with what you can afford. Then explore the deposit, tax and other costs between you and the keys — with the assumptions in plain sight.
The place to start
Your buying budget, beyond the headline number
See an illustrative borrowing range alongside your deposit, potential property price and a stress-tested monthly payment. It is a planning tool, not a mortgage offer.
Calculate my buying budgetFigures stay in your browser. Assumptions last reviewed 1 September 2026.
The useful details
Built to be checked, not just believed
A range, not a fantasy number
Affordability depends on the lender. We show a lower, typical and upper borrowing figure, and a stress-tested payment, so you can plan around reality.
Every assumption in the open
Each calculator publishes its formula, modelling assumptions and limitations. Tax rules link to the relevant authority; editable rates are illustrations, not live offers.
The costs nobody mentions
Deposit is only part of it. Property tax, conveyancing, searches, survey, lender fees and moving are all budgeted for, and every figure is editable.
Find your next step
From first question to front door
You don’t have to work through everything at once. Start with a rough budget, then use the tools that match where you are in your search.
- Step 1Quick affordabilityA three-question starting point that gives a rough budget in seconds and points you to the detailed tools.
- Step 2Affordability & budgetEstimate an indicative borrowing range, property budget, deposit percentage, LTV and monthly repayment from your income, deposit and commitments.
- Step 3DepositWork out the deposit needed for a target percentage, what you have already, the shortfall, and how long saving might take.
- Step 4Monthly repaymentEstimate monthly payments, total repaid and total interest, with a year-by-year amortisation schedule.
- Step 5Buying costsAdd up deposit, property tax, legal fees, survey, mortgage fees and moving costs — every assumption editable.
- Step 6Stamp dutyProperty transaction tax for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with first-time buyer relief and a full band breakdown.
Read before you decide
Good questions deserve clear answers
First-time buyer guide
From saving a deposit to completion day: what happens, when, and what it costs.
Mortgage guides
How lenders assess you, what LTV changes, fixed versus tracker, and remortgaging.
Mortgage & finance news
Follow UK rates, Bank of England updates and wider stories that may matter to buyers.
Common questions
How much can I borrow for a mortgage in the UK?
Our illustration uses 4 to 4.75 times income after commitments, with a separate payment ceiling. These are our modelling assumptions, not lender rules. Lenders assess income, spending, credit history and the property individually.
How much deposit do I need to buy a house?
Most lenders want at least 5% of the purchase price, and rates usually improve at 10%, 15% and 25%. The deposit calculator shows the amount needed at each level and how long saving might take.
Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?
It depends where you buy and how much you pay. England and Northern Ireland have a price cap for first-time buyer relief. Scotland instead raises the nil-rate threshold, without the same purchase-price cap. Wales has no separate first-time buyer relief. Check the tax calculator's exclusions before relying on an estimate.
Is this financial advice?
No. Everything here is general information and illustrative calculation. We are not a lender, broker or adviser, and we cannot recommend a product to you.
What is a stress test on a mortgage?
Lenders check you could still afford the payment if rates rose. We illustrate this at 7.5% so you can see whether the monthly cost would still fit your budget — for example, a £200,000 repayment mortgage over 25 years costs roughly £1,478 a month at 7.5%.
What other costs should I budget for besides the deposit?
Expect solicitor or conveyancing fees, searches, a survey, any lender arrangement fee, property tax (stamp duty, LBTT or LTT) and removals. The first-time buyer costs calculator lists each one so nothing is a surprise.
Information, not advice
What You Get In Mortgage Affordability Pack – £29
- Affordability Complaint Letter to Lender
- Income & Expenditure Statement
- Payment Holiday / Arrangement Request
- Subject Access Request (SAR) to Lender
- Budget Planner for Overpayments
All 5 docs in editable Word + PDF + guidance notes. Instant download. No calls needed – email support only.