Mortgage lenders are now letting these types of buyers borrow more money

If you’re a first-time buyer, you might have heard from people who have bought previously that the most you can borrow is around 4.5 times your income .

In 2026, though, that’s no longer true, as many lenders are willing to offer more – to the right borrowers.

Here’s how to maximise your borrowing and what you should consider before doing so.

When a mortgage lender offer you a loan, they have a duty to make sure you can afford to repay it.

So, no single factor determines how much you can borrow. That said, there’s one number that usually acts as an upper limit.

Most lenders will only lend up to a certain multiple of your salary (or total income, if not a salaried employee).

For example, if your income is £40,000 and the lender’s maximum income multiple is four, they’ll lend you £160,000 at most.

If you’re buying as a couple, lenders will consider your combined income. So, if your salary is £40,000, your partner’s is £37,500, and the lender’s maximum income multiple is four, they’ll lend you £310,000 at most.

For years, most lenders have offered mortgages at a maximum income multiple of 4.5. Recently, though, we’re seeing higher income multiples available.

For many buyers, 4.5 times your income still serves as a rough guide to affordability. However, some lenders are willing to go higher, particularly if:

Here are some of the lenders who’ll currently offer more to some borrowers:

Coventry Building Society, Halifax, TSB, Melton BS, Mansfield BS, Newbury BS

Accord Mortgages, Aldermore, Bluestone Mortgages, Gen H, Nottingham BS, Santander, Virgin Money

Atom Bank, Barclays, Nationwide BS, Bath BS, Gatehouse Bank, Leeds BS, Metro Bank, Precise Mortgages