Credit & Borrowing
Is There a Minimum Credit Score for a Mortgage?
There's no single magic number — each lender sets its own bar and weighs much more than your score. Here's what really decides approval, and how to boost your chances.
Free tool
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Get a quick estimate of how much you could borrow, and the property price that puts within reach, based on your income and deposit.
You could likely borrow around£157,500
≈ £187,500 propertyMost lenders land between £140,000 and £166,250.
A rough guide based on the common 4.5× income rule. Lenders also weigh your outgoings, credit history, deposit and the property, so real offers vary. Speaking to a mortgage adviser gives an accurate figure.
How lenders decide what you can borrow
Most lenders start with a multiple of your income, commonly around 4.5 times your annual salary, sometimes a little more or less. That is only the starting point. They then look at your actual affordability: your regular outgoings, existing credit commitments, the size of your deposit and your credit history.
Things that change the answer
- Your outgoings and debts. Loans, credit cards and even a phone contract can reduce what you are offered.
- Your deposit. A bigger deposit means a lower loan-to-value, which usually unlocks better rates.
- Your credit history. A stronger credit score widens the lenders and deals available to you.
Once you have a figure in mind, the mortgage repayment calculator shows what the monthly cost would be.
Keep reading
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