Mortgage lenders in the UK are increasingly allowing some home buyers to borrow more money than before, enabling them to purchase more expensive properties. This shift is partly due to higher income multiples—essentially, the ratio of the loan amount to the borrower's income. Previously, first-time buyers often faced a cap of around 4.5 times their annual income, but this is no longer a universal rule, with many lenders now offering higher multiples, especially for those with strong financial profiles. Lenders conduct detailed affordability checks when approving mortgages. These assessments take into account various factors, including income, monthly expenses, existing debts, credit history, and the size of the deposit. While no single factor determines borrowing limits, income multiples typically serve as an upper limit. Most lenders used to offer up to 4.5 times a borrower’s income, but now some are offering higher limits—up to 7 times income in certain cases—depending on the borrower’s financial situation. Several major lenders are now offering higher income multiples. For example, Coventry Building Society, Halifax, TSB, and others offer up to 5 times income, while Accord Mortgages and Santander go up to 5.5 times. Some lenders, like Atom Bank and Barclays, offer up to 6 times income, and a few, such as April Mortgages, offer as high as 7 times income for select borrowers. These higher multiples are often available to those with higher incomes, lower loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, or those applying for joint mortgages. Lenders also consider different types of income, including salaries, self-employment earnings, bonuses, commissions, pensions, and even benefits. For those with irregular income—such as freelancers or those on zero-hours contracts—lenders may use methods like averaging income over the past three years or excluding unusually low-earning periods to determine borrowing limits. While higher income multiples can allow buyers to afford more expensive homes, there are trade-offs. Borrowing more can lead to higher interest payments over the life of the loan, increased ongoing costs for more expensive properties, and less disposable income. It can also make borrowers more vulnerable to rising interest rates and may limit opportunities for other investments. Lenders perform stress tests to ensure borrowers can handle higher payments, but individuals should also consider their personal financial situation. Speaking with a mortgage broker can help buyers navigate these options and determine what they can afford.