What could you borrow?
A quick idea of the mortgage you could likely get, the deposit you need, what it costs each month and the cash to have ready. Then check your credit before you apply.
About you
The home
About 4.5× your income. With your £30,000 deposit that means homes up to £233,000.
At £233,000
Cash to have ready
A rough guide, not mortgage advice or an offer to lend. Lenders decide on your full income, spending and credit file. Typical rates are averages for November 2026 (Moneyfacts average 2-year fix 5.97%). Tax rates from GOV.UK, the Welsh Government and Revenue Scotland. Speak to an FCA-regulated mortgage broker before you apply.
Check your credit
Lenders check your file with one or more of the three credit reference agencies. See all three free, before a lender does. Checking your own file never affects your score.
What lenders look for
Be on the electoral roll
Lenders use it to confirm your address. Register at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Pay everything on time
Missed payments in the last 12 months matter most. Set up direct debits for at least the minimum.
Use under a third of your limits
High credit card balances against their limits lower your score. Pay them down before applying.
Avoid new credit before applying
Several applications in a few months look risky. Use eligibility checkers, which leave a soft search only.
Check for mistakes
Wrong addresses, old accounts or someone else’s debts can be fixed free with the agency.
Close links to old partners
A joint account links your file to theirs. Ask the agencies for a notice of disassociation.
Help with a deposit
Lifetime ISA
Aged 18 to 39: save up to £4,000 a year and the government adds 25%, up to £1,000 a year, towards a first home. See gov.uk/lifetime-isa for the price limit and rules.
Family help
Lenders accept gifted deposits with a letter from the giver saying it is a gift, not a loan. Some offer family-backed mortgages with smaller deposits.
Shared ownership
Buy a share of a home (often 25% to 75%) with a smaller deposit and pay rent on the rest. See gov.uk/shared-ownership-scheme.