
Getting a Mortgage for up to and over 5x Your Salary
5× Salary Mortgages
A 5× salary mortgage refers to a mortgage with a loan-to‑income (LTI) ratio of five times your single or joint annual earnings. Although most UK lenders cap at 4–4.5× salary, there are lenders and brokers—particularly in higher‑earning brackets—do offer up to 5× and 5.5× and even 6× salary mortgages.
Regulatory Cap
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) limits lenders to no more than 15 % of their mortgage books above 4.5× income per quarter. So, high-income applicants (typically earning £70–75k+) can access these mortgages, but availability is more limited and usually broker-assisted.
Mortgage lenders have been easing their stress test rules, which has allowed them to offer larger loan sizes. In many cases, they are offering borrowers £35,000 or £40,000 more than they were at the start of this year.
Deposits & Requirements
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You normally need a 5–20 % deposit to access a more generous income multiple.
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Lenders will expect:
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Excellent credit history.
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Proof of stable employment, usually in salaried roles with some lenders. There are income-stretch mortgages available for the self-employed.
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Low existing debt or monthly outgoings.
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5.5× and 6× Salary Mortgages
5.5× Salary
Some lenders and broker schemes (e.g., via Barclays or Nationwide’s Helping Hand) allow 5.5 × salary mortgages, particularly for first-time buyers with:
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Minimum income of around £37,000 (solo) or £55,000 (joint). However, this rises to £100,000 with some lenders.
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Just a 5 % deposit.
6× Salary mortgages
Up to 6× salary may be achievable, especially for professionals (e.g., doctors, lawyers, accountants, NHS staff), under special “professional mortgages”. Also, higher earners.
Nationwide for Intermediaries offers 6× earnings loans to first-time buyers with 95% LTV. This policy has also changed so borrowers with smaller deposits can buy new build homes with an income stretch mortgage.
Who qualifies for 5x or 5.5x salary mortgages?
- A salary five times the average is generally easier to obtain than a salary five and a half times the average, and the income qualification threshold is lower.
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High earners (typically £75k+) with most of the well-known banks. Lower income requirements are available with many specialist lenders and smaller building societies.
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Professionals in stable careers — commonly doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers.
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First-time buyers using special schemes can benefit, even with smaller deposits.
Risks and Considerations
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Affordability checks: Lenders meticulously assess credit, expenses, and outgoings.
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Higher interest rates or fees could apply due to risk-based pricing, depending on the lender.
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Small deposit risks: Higher monthly repayments and possibly lower equity buffer.
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Regulatory stress tests and lending caps mean access is limited with some lenders.
Market Context
The surge in high-income multiple searches coincides with broader easing in the mortgage market and the rise in house prices.
- Some lenders are rolling out interest-only and low-deposit mortgages.
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Nationwide and others are offering first-time buyers 6× salary loans with 95% LTV.
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New products like Halifax’s “Mortgage Boost” allow applicants to include non-owning co-applicants to enhance borrowing capacity.
Summary Table
Multiple | Who It’s For | Requirements & Notes |
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4–4.5× | Standard borrowers | High street common; typical cap. |
5× | Much easier to qualify for | 15–25 % deposit, strong credit. |
5.5× | First-time buyers via schemes | ≥£37k solo / ≥£55k joint; some lenders reuire £100k minimum income. |
6× | Professionals in stable careers | 95 % LTV possible via specific lenders, either as a first-time buyer or higher earner. |
Understanding how much you can borrow
Salary - either single or joint | 4.5x | 5x | 5.5x |
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£28,000 | £126,000 | £140,000 | £154,000 |
£32,000 | £144,000 | £160,000 | £176,000 |
£38,000 | £171,000 | £190,000 | £209,000 |
£42,000 | £189,000 | £210,000 | £231,000 |
£50,000 | £225,000 | £250,000 | £275,000 |
£60,000 | £270,000 | £300,000 | £330,000 |
£70,000 | £315,000 | £350,000 | £385,000 |
£80,000 | £360,000 | £400,000 | £440,000 |
£90,000 | £405,000 | £450,000 | £495,000 |
£100,000 | £450,000 | £500,000 | £550,000 |
Trinity Financial can help to secure your income stretch mortgage
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Brokers are essential: These deals are niche and require specialist knowledge.
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Check affordability carefully—higher multiples may carry higher risk and tighter margins.
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Monitor the 15% cap—availability fluctuates each quarter.
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Shop around: Let Trinity help you assess the market. Different providers assess outgoings and credit differently; some may offer better rates or eligibility.
- Some lenders do not charge a rate premium to access their income stretch mortgages.
Bottom line on income stretch mortgages
Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: "If you are looking for a more generous mortgage loan size, then there are options depending on your finances. The lenders are currently eager to lend more money.
"High-income multiple mortgages of 5×, 5.5×, 6× are fairly common now and while availability is improving—especially for high earners, professionals, and first-time buyers—these mortgages have strict acceptance criteria depending on the lender you approach."
Call Trinity Financial on 020 7016 0790 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.
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