What’s the Minimum Salary Required for a UK Mortgage?

For many first-time buyers and home movers, one of the first questions that comes up is: “What salary do I need to get a mortgage in the UK?” Although this is a perfectly reasonable question, it doesn’t have a straightforward answer. Mortgage lenders don’t use a set minimum salary; instead, they assess how much you can borrow by looking at things like your affordability, credit history and financial commitments.

In this article, we’ll look at how income impacts your mortgage eligibility, how to maximise your borrowing potential and how our team at WIS Mortgages can help you work through the mortgage journey with ease.

Key Takeaways

• There is no minimum salary for a UK mortgage. Even lower-income applicants can get a mortgage if the borrowing amount is small and the affordability checks are met.
• Most lenders use a borrowing range of 4x to 4.5x income, though some offer 5x to 5.5x for certain professions and strong financial profiles.
• Your salary alone doesn’t determine affordability. Lenders also assess debts, credit score, deposit size, employment type and monthly outgoings.
• A higher deposit increases borrowing power, unlocks better rates and improves your overall affordability.
• Schemes like Shared Ownership and First Homes help lower-income buyers secure property with reduced borrowing requirements.

Note: As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.
Financial Promotion: This article is a financial promotion approved by WIS Contractor Mortgages Ltd (FCA No. 824411) and was last approved on 19/11/2025.

Is There a Minimum Salary Required for a UK Mortgage?

Technically speaking, there is no set minimum salary that you need to meet to secure a mortgage in the UK. Even individuals on lower incomes could potentially get a mortgage, but it would need to be a small borrowing amount, and they would need to pass the affordability assessments.

So, rather than thinking of meeting a minimum salary, you should think more about affordability. Lenders will be looking to see if you can afford the monthly payments attached to the mortgage now and in the future.

So while there is no salary floor, your income directly influences how much you can borrow.

Want to know how much you can afford for a mortgage? Use our handy mortgage affordability calculator and find out in a few clicks.

How Much Can You Borrow Based on Salary?

How much you can borrow is usually tied to your salary (or at least your fixed income). As a general rule of thumb, no more than 28 % of your monthly income should go towards your mortgage.

Most lenders in the UK will be happy to offer anywhere from 4 to 4.5 times your annual income for your mortgage. Some lenders might offer more depending on your occupation, credit score, and deposit size.

Here’s a quick example:

Note: These figures are approximate and do not reflect current market conditions.

If you’re buying jointly, lenders use combined income, which significantly expands borrowing potential.

What Other Factors Affect Mortgage Affordability?

Lenders don’t look at income in isolation. Instead, they calculate affordability using several factors to get a more complete picture of your financial health. Some of these factors include:

• Regular Outgoings: These are your day-to-day expenses and can include things like credit card payments, loans, childcare costs, utility bills and living costs. High outgoings can reduce how much you can borrow.
• Credit Score: A higher credit score is a good sign for lenders as it demonstrates strong financial health. It will allow you to unlock higher income multiples, improve the chances of a higher mortgage amount and potentially reduce interest rates. In contrast, poor credit may reduce how much you can borrow or limit you to specialist lenders.
• Deposit Size: If you provide a bigger deposit for the mortgage, the lender has their risk reduced. This means you may be able to borrow more, access better interest rates or enjoy more lender choice. Someone with a smaller salary but a strong deposit may borrow more than someone on a higher salary with a small deposit.
• Employment Type: Your employment type can influence how lenders treat your income. Full-time salaried roles are typically counted at 100 %, but bank holidays and weekend shifts are assessed differently and need to be consistent.

Can You Get a Mortgage on a Low Income?

Although mortgage affordability is tied to your income, it doesn’t mean that low-income individuals can’t get a mortgage. You can still successfully apply for a mortgage if the property is within your budget, you have a deposit ready, you have low monthly outgoings or you’re buying jointly.

Beyond this, there are also schemes designed to help lower-income buyers, including:

• Shared Ownership
• First Homes Scheme
• Guarantor or Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgages
• Right to Buy

These can reduce the amount you need to borrow or increase your affordability.

Case Study: Securing a Mortgage for a Low-Income Client

Our team at WIS Mortgages love to use our expertise to help clients with complex mortgage problems. Although there isn’t a universal minimum salary for a UK mortgage, many lenders do impose their own thresholds that fall between £25,000 and £30,000. This was an issue for one of our customers who was on a lower income and earning under this threshold. They had previously been declined by lenders due to their lower salary.

Although on a lower income bracket, our client did own a couple of buy-to-let properties. Even though rental income for these properties was not part of their standard salary, it provided an additional income stream that could strengthen their application.

As our client didn’t rely solely on their lower salary income, we found a lender who was willing to consider their full financial picture. This resulted in a successful mortgage application for £90,000, which was enough for our client to buy their home.

Age was another challenge in this case, but the alternative income sources from rental profits helped reassure the lenders. We understand that every borrower’s situation is unique, which is why we use our experience to leverage things like additional income to improve mortgage affordability.

Note: Results may vary and depend on individual circumstances. Past outcomes do not guarantee future success.

How Do You Improve Your Borrowing Power?

If you’re concerned your income might limit your mortgage options, there are some things you can do to help improve your borrowing power. Below, we’ve outlined a few useful tips you can use:

Reduce Existing Debt

Your existing debt can have quite a heavy impact on your ability to secure a mortgage. Even small repayments, like a £200 monthly car finance payment, can significantly reduce borrowing power. Clearing or reducing debt often increases affordability more than a pay rise.

Improve Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a strong indicator of your overall financial health. By improving this score, you will be looked at more favourably by lenders. A few quick ways to improve your credit score include:

• Registering on the electoral roll
• Ensuring everything is paid on time
• Reducing credit utilisation
• Clearing small defaults if possible

Increase Your Deposit

If you can, try to save up a bigger deposit for your mortgage. Even an additional 5% can widen your lender options and help you secure a better mortgage rate.

Work With a Mortgage Advisor

Mortgage advisors like WIS Mortgages understand lender criteria and can help you maximise your borrowing power. We regularly help our clients:

• Calculate accurate income multiples
• Identify lenders who use higher affordability models
• Maximise the income sources you’re allowed to use
• Find lenders who specialise in your profession

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is there a minimum salary needed to get a mortgage in the UK?

A. No, there is no set minimum salary to get a mortgage in the UK. You can technically get a mortgage on almost any income as long as you meet affordability checks and the mortgage amount is manageable. In reality, most lenders have their own thresholds that sit at around £25,000 to £30,000.

Q. How much can I borrow for a mortgage based on my salary?

A. Most lenders offer between 4x and 4.5x your annual income, but some will go up to 5x or 5.5x depending on your profession, credit profile and deposit.

Q. Can I get a mortgage on a low income?

A. Yes, but you may need to consider a smaller mortgage, higher deposit, joint application or a homebuying scheme. This includes Shared Ownership or First Homes. Affordability matters more than the salary figure itself.

Q. Do lenders accept overtime, bonuses or shift allowances?

A. Often, yes. Many lenders accept regular overtime, commission, weekend pay and unsocial hours allowances, especially for NHS staff and shift workers. However, the income should be consistent and evidenced on payslips.

Q. Does my credit score affect how much I can borrow?

A. Yes. A stronger credit score can unlock higher income multiples and better mortgage rates, while poor credit may reduce borrowing or restrict lender choice.

Q. Can I combine my income with someone else’s?

A. Yes. Joint applications allow lenders to combine both applicants’ salaries, which increases the total borrowing amount available.

Q. Do lenders have different affordability rules?

A. Absolutely. Every lender uses its own affordability calculator. Some are more generous with variable income or low outgoings. A mortgage broker can identify lenders who will offer the highest borrowing amount for your profile.

Understand Your Mortgage Options With WIS Mortgages

So, what’s the minimum salary required for a UK mortgage? There’s no specific threshold, but your income does shape how much you can borrow. While salary matters, affordability is influenced by your entire financial picture: outgoings, credit score, deposit size, and the type of work you do.

This means two people on the same salary may borrow very different amounts depending on their lifestyle and commitments.

With expert guidance and the right lender, buyers on modest incomes can still secure property, even in more challenging market conditions. WIS Mortgages can help you assess your income accurately and find the best lender for your needs. To get started, please contact one of our team today.

Important FCA Warning

This article is a financial promotion approved by WIS Contractor Mortgages Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Calculations are estimates and do not constitute an offer. Affordability assessments vary by lender.
As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments. Written by the mortgage experts at WIS Mortgages, specialists in complex income and affordability assessments.

WIS Mortgages is a trading name of WIS Contractor Mortgages Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA number: 824411.

This article is for information purposes and does not constitute personal mortgage advice. You should speak to a qualified mortgage adviser to assess your individual circumstances.