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Some of the biggest banks and building societies have increased their mortgage rates over the last few weeks, but Nationwide for Intermediaires has bucked the trend by lowering some of its fixed rates.

Nationwide for Intermediaries offers a two-year fixed-rate mortgage at 3.80% and the lender has a five-year fix at just below 3.95%. These rates undercut many of the other big banks and building societies.

Nationwide’s most competitive rate is 3.80%, and it is available for homebuyers to borrow between £300,000 and £5 million. There is a £1,499 arrangement fee, and applicants must make a 40% deposit to qualify. The sub 3.99% five-year fix has the same minimum and maximum loan sizes and the same arrangement fee.

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: "Mortgage rates have been edging up recently, and while they are more expensive, they still offer good value for money. Not all lenders are increasing their rates; Nationwide has lowered some rates by 0.18% and some specialist providers are actually cutting prices. For example, Kensington has reduced its prices by up to 0.44%.

"One of the good things about Nationwide is the way borrowers can book a rate for up to 90 days, providing a mortgage offer is produced in that time. Other lenders do not allow their decisions in principle to last so long."

Representative example: A Nationwide capital and interest mortgage of £1,000,000 payable over 30 years, initially on a fixed rate basis at 3.80% for 24 months and then on the lender's 6.24% standard variable rate for the remaining 28 years. The 3.80% rate would require 24 monthly repayments of £4,659.57 followed by 336 payments of £6,379.50. The total amount repayable would be £2,256,855.68 made up of the loan amount, plus interest (£1,255,342.80) and £1,499 (product fee), £80 (final repayment charge), £25 (completion fee). The overall cost for comparison is 6.4% APRC representative.

Greatest number of low-deposit deals for 17 years: Moneyfacts

The number of mortgage deals available for borrowers with a 10% or 5% deposit reached its highest level for 17 years this month, figures from Moneyfacts show. There are 464 deals for those with a 5% deposit and 896 deals with a 10% deposit, meaning a combined total of 1,360 product options for borrowers with a deposit of 10% or under. There are also more lenders offering really low deposit mortgages for those with less than 5% to put down.

Call Trinity Financial on 020 7267 9399 to secure a mortgage, book a consultation, or complete our mortgage questionnaire. 

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Page updated on 25/09/2025.

The biggest banks and building societies typically lend between four times single and joint salaries up to 5.5 times single and joint incomes. Some lenders sometimes allow you to borrow up to six times your salary, including with Nationwide's Helping Hand product.

If you are a single applicant with a clear credit history earning at least £75,000, borrowing up to £412,500 may be possible. If you have a partner going onto the mortgage and they earn £75,000, this could increase to £825,000.

With a £100,000 salary, a single applicant could borrow up to £550,000. If a partner earning £100,000 is added to the application, the loan could rise to £1,100,000.

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: "The lenders use affordability calculators to determine how much you can borrow, and the maximum loan sizes can vary quite a lot. Some providers are much more generous if you do not have debts like credit cards or loans, while others look more favourably if you are consolidating debts.  

"The strange thing about the mortgage market is how lenders calculate the amount they will lend using different figures. Some use the Office for National Statistics to generate national averages, while others use their figures. Some ignore pension contributions and living expenses, while others will not reduce the loan by such a large amount if you have children or kids in private school."

Smaller building societies offering higher income multiples for a mortgage

Some smaller building societies provide the most generous income multiples in the market, although they typically charge the highest rates. 

Many work on a true affordability basis, provide interest-only options and increase the loan size for certain borrowers. A few lenders provide up to six times the income for higher earners.

Here is a list of all of the main lenders offering up to six times salary mortgages.

Call Trinity Financial on 020 7267 9399 to secure a mortgage or book a consultation 

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage  

New mortgage data from Barclays Property Insights reveals that more first-time buyers are purchasing semi-detached properties, as they report a greater appetite for ‘forever homes’.

The continued push by banks and building societies to offer income-stretch mortgages, larger loan sizes, and lower deposit deals is making it easier for many first-time buyers to secure more generous mortgages and buy semi-detached homes. 

Barclays mortgage data shows that three-bedroom homes are the most popular choice for properties, making up 46.4 per cent of all purchases in August. Millennial homeowners, aged 28 to 43, are the most likely age group to prioritise extra space – over a fifth (22 per cent) say they bought a property with more bedrooms than they currently need, to avoid upsizing later. This compares to just 13 per cent across all ages.

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: "Most people want to have outdoor space, but if they live in an expensive area, they need to have a sufficiently large salary to borrow enough to get a house. It is generally possible for first-time buyers to borrow between 4.5 and 6 times their salary through a range of lenders. Barclays' data is interesting because it highlights that the recent income multiple changes are allowing more younger people to buy larger properties. This is a trend our brokers have noticed."  

First-time buyers and semi-detached homes

Barclays data shows first-time buyers are increasingly turning to houses, with semi-detached properties making up over a third (33.5 per cent) of August’s first-time purchases, up 1.7 per cent year-on-year. The bank says flats declined in popularity by 2.7 per cent, accounting for a fifth (19.6 per cent) of first-time buyer homes. 

A third (33 per cent) of recent Gen Z buyers², aged 18 to 27, said they bought a ‘forever home’ so that they wouldn’t have to move. Similarly, nearly three in 10 (27 per cent) of all recent buyers said they intend to stay in their new home for at least 10 years.

When choosing a property, individuals at different life stages tend to prioritise certain features, but this really does depend on the area buyers are purchasing in. Nearly half (49 per cent) of those aged 44 to 59, and 40 per cent of Millennial homeowners said they prioritised having a garden or outdoor space. Comparatively, only a third (32 per cent) of Gen Z felt the same. Meanwhile, Gen Z were much more likely to want a dedicated work from home space (28 per cent) compared to 20 per cent of Millennials and just 9 per cent of Gen X.

Borrowers opting for longer mortgage terms to keep costs down

Barclays data also shows an increase in the popularity of 30+ year mortgage terms. Among first-time buyers, these account for 41.3 per cent of purchases, as they are typically younger and so have longer to pay back a mortgage.

When asked about their preferences, nearly four in 10 (37 per cent) mortgage holders feel 30-40-year terms are more desirable than shorter durations because they could mean lower monthly repayments. This comes as four in 10 homeowners (41 per cent) believe their mortgage payments take up too much of their monthly income. On average, homeowners report their mortgage accounts for 27.7 per cent of their take-home pay, up from 26.6 per cent in July.

Call Trinity Financial on 020 7267 9399 to secure a  mortgage to buy a semi-detached or detached house or book a consultation

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage 

Source: Barclays press release

Effective from Monday, 1st September, HSBC introduced changes designed to make home ownership more accessible—particularly for first-time buyers (FTBs)—and to provide greater flexibility for non-FTB customers.

HSBC for Intermediaries is the latest lender to start offering 5.5 times salary mortgages to first-time buyers, providing single applicants earn £35,000 or joint borrowers have a combined income of at least £55,000.

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: "So many of HSBC’s rival lenders are offering higher income multiples that the bank probably decided it needed to make the change to keep up with the competition, as well as to help more first-time buyers borrow the money they need to get on the property ladder."

Improved Mortgage Income Multiples for HSBC's Non-First-Time Buyers

HSBC has also implemented positive changes for non-first-time homebuyer mortgage customers.

For applicants with an income between £45,000 and £100,000 (exclusive), HSBC has increased the maximum loan-to-income from 4.75x to 5.00x income, where the applicant has a deposit of at least 15% of the property value. 

Summary of HSBC's Mortgage Affordability Changes

Here’s an overview of the updated HSBC lending multiples:

If you’d like to discuss how these changes could benefit you, our team is here to help.

Call Trinity Financial on 020 7267 9399 to secure a first-time buyer mortgage or book a consultation

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage 

Barclays for Intermediaries has increased the amount of money applicants with another residential mortgage in the background can borrow.

If applicant(s) have an existing background residential mortgage that will not be redeemed on completion of their new property, Barclays will now lend up to 90% of the property value for residential purchases and remortgages. This is an increase from the previous cap of 80%.

The standard maximum loan amounts through Barclays for 90% loan-to-value purchases for houses (£640,000) and flats (£310,000) apply. Applicants with existing permission to let approval will remain capped at 80% loan-to-value.

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: “More lenders are issuing a second residential mortgage where there is a relationship breakdown and the property needs to be maintained, also, if a second residence is required for work purposes.

"Both mortgage payments would need to be included as a commitment, so it can be hard to borrow the amount required from many borrowers. As lenders use different affordability calculations and have varying maximum loan sizes, the loan amounts can vary significantly. Our brokers can research the market for you."

Two residential property FAQs

Can I have two residential mortgages?

A residential mortgage is generally meant for your main home (where you live). If you want a loan for a second home (holiday home, pied-à-terre, or somewhere for family), some lenders will allow a second residential mortgage.

If you’re buying a property you intend to rent out, you usually need a buy-to-let mortgage instead of a residential one.

Lender considerations

Each lender will look at: Affordability: They’ll assess your income and outgoings to ensure you can cover both mortgages. Loan-to-Value (LTV): Second residential mortgages may have stricter deposit requirements. Credit history: A good credit profile is essential. Purpose of the property: You’ll need to be clear whether it’s for personal use or rental.

Common scenarios

Buying a holiday home. Having a second home for work (e.g., weekly commuting). Buying a home for a family member to live in (sometimes allowed under a residential mortgage, sometimes not).

Tax and costs

You’ll likely pay higher stamp duty/land tax on a second home. You must factor in maintenance, insurance, and utilities for two properties. If you later rent out one of them, different tax rules apply.

Which other major lenders permit borrowers to own two residential properties?

Many of the big banks and building societies will offer borrowers two residential mortgages, including NatWest, Halifax, and Santander for Intermediaries. HSBC for Intermediaries can provide mortgages for second homes if both loans can be serviced entirely from the applicant's salary, subject to its standard credit assessment. This is limited to one property in addition to the applicant's primary residence."

Call Trinity Financial on 020 7267 9399 to secure a second mortgage or book a consultation

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage 

WHICH LENDERS OFFER SIX TIMES SALARY MORTGAGES?

There is a growing selection of lenders offering six or even 6.5 times salary mortgages. Over the past few weeks, even more lenders have begun offering more generous income multiples.  

Potentially borrowing up to 6 times single or joint salary is a larger income stretch, but it is an option that is surprisingly becoming more common in the mortgage industry. Higher income multiples of 6 times salary are typically reserved for first-time buyers and borrowers who meet specific criteria, such as meeting higher income thresholds. 

Bank of Ireland for Intermediares is the latest bank to start offering up to 6 times salary mortgages. They are also available through Nationwide for Intermediaries, Tipton Building Society and Kensington for Intermediaries. Although some of the UK's largest mortgage lenders, including HSBC and Santander for Intermediaries, have eased their mortgage affordability in many cases, issuing mortgages worth up to £39,000 more, they are still not generous enough to help many borrowers onto the property ladder. 

6 times salary mortgages comment 

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says, "Mortgage lenders use affordability calculators to determine how much applicants can borrow, but they are increasingly having separate policies and rates for their income stretch mortgages of up to six times salary.

"A recent report showed that more first-time buyers are purchasing semi-detached homes rather than flats and they are using income stretch schemes to get the properties they want. Clearly, this is often easier with joint applications when there are two incomes."

Many borrowers do not need to borrow the full six times their salary; they need a more generous affordability calculation. That said, the Nationwide Helping Hand product offering six times salary has been incredibly popular, and lenders are coming into this market because they know there is a need from all types of borrowers."

Banks and building societies offering 6 times salary mortgages include:

Are six-times-salary mortgages more expensive? 

Yes, you will probably need to pay a higher rate to access a six times salary mortgage. The rates are likely to be much higher than the cheapest mortgages available to those with a 35% or 40% deposit and borrowing around five times their salary.

With Nationwide's Helping Hand scheme, mortgage borrowers will need to take out a five- or ten-year fixed-rate mortgage. Hodge, Tipton, and UTB charge higher rates for six times salary mortgages if you need an income stretch. 

With so many lenders offering six times salary, you need to ensure you are getting the most competitively priced rate, especially if you have to take a three, five or ten-year fix to get the money you need to buy the property you want. 

Regulatory limits eased to improve mortgage affordability 

The Bank of England has rolled out looser mortgage rules in a bid to help thousands more first-time buyers onto the housing ladder each year. 

New guidelines announced by the Bank of England mean that individual banks and building societies can offer more high loan-to-income (LTI) mortgages, which are equal to, or worth more than, 4.5 times a borrower’s annual earnings. They will not be allowed to offer that many larger income stretch mortgages. 

If you're considering a mortgage at 6 times your salary, it's advisable to consult with a mortgage broker, like Trinity Financial, who can assess your individual circumstances and guide you to suitable lenders with the most competitively priced rates. A 5.5 times salary or 5.75 salary may be sufficent.

Here is a table to show how much you may be able to borrow depending on your salary: 

Key Considerations for 6x salary mortgages

• Is it sensible to borrow 6 times one's salary for a mortgage? Many people would think that borrowing up to 6 times their salary was not very sensible. Still, it is increasingly becoming a necessity for those struggling to get sufficiently large mortgages to get on the property ladder.

• Deposit size: Varies depending on the lender and your income. Need at least 10% deposit typically.

• First-Time Buyers: Make sure you get the most competitively priced rate if you are stretching to six times your salary. 

• Choice of fixed rates: With numerous mortgages available, you don't necessarily have to opt for a very long-term fixed rate, even if a specialist lender offers one. 

Call Trinity Financial on 020 7267 9399 to secure an income stretch mortgage, book a consultation, or complete our mortgage questionnaire. 

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage