How many lenders offer 5 or 5.5 times salary mortgages?
Which lenders offer 5 or 5.5 times salary mortgages?
As of May 2025, there is a good selection of lenders offering mortgages at 5 or 5.5 times your salary.
Borrowing at 5 times single or joint salary is more common in the mortgage industry, as most lenders' qualification rules are more lenient. Higher income multiples of 5.5 or 6 times salary are typically reserved for borrowers who meet specific criteria, such as being a first-time buyer, meeting higher income thresholds, having larger deposits, or working in certain professions.
Some of the UK's larger mortgage lenders, including HSBC, Santander, and Halifax, have announced they have eased their mortgage affordability rules. In many cases, they will be issuing mortgages worth up to £39,000 more. This may mean more borrowers do not need income stretch products.
Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says, "Mortgage lenders use affordability calculators to determine how much applicants can borrow, and credit cards, loans, school fees, car finance, children, and other regular credit commitments reduce the maximum borrowing amount.
"This makes high loan-to-income multiples like 5.5 times salary mortgage useful, as often borrowers need 5.1 or 5.2 times salary to get the mortgage loan size they require. That said, the Nationwide Helping Hand product offering six times salary has been incredibly popular."
Banks and building societies offering 5 to 5.5 times salary mortgages
| Lender | Max Income Multiple | Minimum Income Requirement | Loan-to-Value (LTV) Limit | Eligibility Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide Building Society | Up to 6x | £35,000 (single), £55,000 (joint) | Up to 95% (5% deposit) | Available to first-time buyers via the Helping Hand range |
| Halifax | Up to 5.5x | £50,000+ | 90% (10% deposit) | Different rules for first-time buyers earning £50,000+ on Boost product |
| Santander for Intermediaries | Up to 5.5x | £100,000+ | 75% (25% deposit) | For loans over £1,000,000; lower multiples apply at higher LTVs |
| Barclays for Intermediaries | Up to 5.5x | £75,000+ (single), £100,000+ (joint) | Up to 85% | Higher multiples for high earners; lower multiples for incomes between £45k–£99k |
| HSBC for Intermediaries | Up to 5.5x | £100,000+ | Up to 85% | Need to be a higher-earning premier customer to get 5.5 times your salary |
| Leeds Building Society | Up to 5.5x | £40,000+ | Up to 95% | Available to first-time buyers via the Income Plus mortgage |
| Accord Mortgages | Up to 5.5x | £75,000+ | Not specified | Typically for borrowers with a combined income of at least £75,000. On the Boost LTI product |
| Kensington for Intermediaries | Up to 6x | £100,000 | Can lend up to 6x on the Select range for applicants earning over £100k | |
| Clydesdale Bank for Intermediaries | Up to 5.5x | £30,000+ | Not specified |
Be fully qualified and employed or self-employed working as: Accountants, Architects, Barristers, Chartered Surveyors, Dentists, Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Solicitors, Vets. |
Source: Lender websites
Key Considerations
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Income thresholds: Higher income multiples are generally available to individuals or households with higher earnings. For instance, Santander requires a minimum income of £100,000 for a 5.5x multiple. Some smaller lenders offer more generous income multiples, but they charge higher rates.
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Deposit size: Lenders often require larger deposits for higher income multiples. For example, Santander offers 5.5x income multiples up to a 75% LTV, necessitating a 25% deposit.
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Professional mortgages: Some lenders offer higher income multiples to professionals in certain fields, such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants. Clydesdale Bank provide such options.
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First-Time Buyers: Products like Nationwide's Helping Hand and Leeds Building Society's Income Plus are designed to assist first-time buyers with higher borrowing limits.
Are 5 or 5.5 times salary mortgages more expensive?
The bigger banks and building societies offer 5 or 5.5 times salary mortgages, and do not typically charge higher rates for their more generous loan-to-income calculations.
Some specialist lenders, such as Hodge, Tipton, and Kendington, charge higher rates if you need an income boost.
Regulatory Limits
The Bank of England restricts lenders from offering more than 15% of their new mortgages at income multiples above 4.5 times salary. This means that while higher multiples are available, they are limited and subject to stricter eligibility criteria. There is a chance these rules could be relaxed after campaigning from the Nationwide Building Society and pressure from the UK government, which is currently pushing for economic growth.
If you're considering a mortgage at 5 or 5.5 times your salary, it's advisable to consult with a mortgage broker who can assess your individual circumstances and guide you to suitable lenders.
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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