Most lenders will offer 4-4.5x salary, meaning you need £66,667-£75,000 to borrow £300k alone. Joint applications, higher deposits and stress-test rates all affect the answer.
A £200,000 mortgage at current rates (4.3–4.8% fixed) costs approximately £1,100–£1,200 per month on a 25-year repayment basis. Here's exactly how rate, term, and repayment type change your monthly payment.
Help to Buy closed to new applications in October 2022. In 2026, first-time buyers have a new set of tools: the Lifetime ISA, Shared Ownership, First Homes, and 95% mortgages without government equity loans. Here's how each one works and who they suit.
When your fixed-rate deal expires, your lender automatically moves you to their Standard Variable Rate — typically 7–8% in 2026. Here's exactly how to act before it happens and what your options are.
Section 24 replaced mortgage interest deduction with a 20% tax credit in 2020. In 2026 it still hits higher-rate landlords hard — here's exactly how much extra tax you're paying and what to do about it.
Tracker mortgages move with the Bank of England base rate; fixed deals lock your rate for 2–5 years. In 2026 with base rate at 4.25% and swap rates falling, the tracker vs fixed decision is finely balanced. Full analysis.
With UK base rate at 4.25% in May 2026, is a 2-year fix or a 5-year fix the better bet? Full numbers on a £250,000 mortgage including break-even rate scenarios, ERC risks and remortgage costs.
Direct buy-to-let or a UK REIT inside an ISA? Section 24, 5% SDLT surcharge, 24% CGT and management hassle versus PID dividends, no SDLT and full ISA shelter. Worked example on £200k.
Non-UK resident buyers of residential property in England or Northern Ireland pay a 2% SDLT surcharge on top of normal rates — and the 5% second-home surcharge stacks. Full breakdown with worked examples.
Section 24, 5% SDLT surcharge, 24% CGT, vanishing CGT allowance, lower yields and tighter EPC rules — the maths on selling a BTL in 2026. A full worked example on a £250,000 property bought for £180,000.
On a £40,000 UK salary, most lenders will offer between £160,000 and £180,000 — but joint applications, debt, and rate stress tests can shift that by £50,000 either way. Here's the maths.
Beyond the deposit, a UK first-time buyer in 2026 typically spends £4,000–£8,000 in fees, surveys, taxes and moving costs. Here's the full itemised list with realistic numbers on a £250k purchase.
