Barclays is the latest lender to ease mortgage affordability tests

by Aaron Strutt

May 19 2025

Barclays has enhanced its mortgage affordability calculations in a move that could allow many homebuyers and remortgage customers to borrow more money.
 
In a message to Trinity Financial explaining the changes, Barclays said: "We know that affordability remains one of the biggest challenges facing your clients. That's why from today, we've enhanced our mortgage affordability calculations. We have cut our stress rates for residential purchase and remortgage applications."
  
A family could now potentially borrow up to £30,750 more (subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history).
 
Whether you are stepping onto the housing ladder, moving home or remortgaging, this update could make a meaningful difference in what's possible in today's market.

Barclays has also increased the maximum loan amounts for lower deposit property purchases across all of its mortgages, to £640,000 for houses and £310,000 for flats, enabling more buyers to access homes in higher price brackets with a 10% deposit.

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says, " Many of the big lenders have concentrated their efforts on issuing more generous loan sizes, and lots of borrowers are starting to notice the difference.

"With so many lenders offering mortgages of around £30,000 more the income stretch mortgages are not being used as much and borrowers are finding it easier to get the loan size they need. They are also getting enough money through the biggest lenders, which is good news as they generally offer the most competitive prices."

Call Trinity Financial on 020 7016 0790 to secure a mortgage or book a consultation

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

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