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Buying Budget

UK mortgages & first-time buyers

Find out what you can actually afford to buy

Nine free calculators built for UK buyers — an honest borrowing range, the deposit you need, the tax you’ll pay in your part of the UK, and the real cost of getting the keys. No sign-up, no jargon, no pretending an estimate is an offer.

Calculate my buying budgetQuick 3-question estimate

Figures stay in your browser. Assumptions last reviewed 1 September 2026.

Front door of a UK terraced home in morning light

Built to be checked, not just believed

A range, not a fantasy number

Affordability depends on the lender. We show a lower, typical and upper borrowing figure, and a stress-tested payment, so you can plan around reality.

Every assumption in the open

Each calculator publishes its formula, its assumptions, its limitations, the source of every rate and the date it was last reviewed.

The costs nobody mentions

Deposit is only part of it. Property tax, conveyancing, searches, survey, lender fees and moving are all budgeted for, and every figure is editable.

Your buying journey, one step at a time

Work through the tools in order, or jump straight to the one you need. Each result hands you on to the next sensible question.

  1. Step 1Quick affordabilityA three-question starting point that gives a rough budget in seconds and points you to the detailed tools.
  2. Step 2Affordability & budgetEstimate an indicative borrowing range, property budget, deposit percentage, LTV and monthly repayment from your income, deposit and commitments.
  3. Step 3DepositWork out the deposit needed for a target percentage, what you have already, the shortfall, and how long saving might take.
  4. Step 4Monthly repaymentEstimate monthly payments, total repaid and total interest, with a year-by-year amortisation schedule.
  5. Step 5Buying costsAdd up deposit, property tax, legal fees, survey, mortgage fees and moving costs — every assumption editable.
  6. Step 6Stamp dutyProperty transaction tax for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with first-time buyer relief and a full band breakdown.
See all nine calculators

Plain-English guides

First-time buyer guide

From saving a deposit to completion day: what happens, when, and what it costs.

Mortgage guides

How lenders assess you, what LTV changes, fixed versus tracker, and remortgaging.

Common questions

How much can I borrow for a mortgage in the UK?

Most UK lenders lend around 4 to 4.75 times income, after deducting regular credit commitments, and then check that the payment remains affordable at a higher stress rate. Our affordability calculator shows a range rather than a single figure for that reason.

How much deposit do I need to buy a house?

Most lenders want at least 5% of the purchase price, and rates usually improve at 10%, 15% and 25%. The deposit calculator shows the amount needed at each level and how long saving might take.

Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?

It depends where you are buying and how much you pay. England, Northern Ireland and Scotland offer first-time buyer relief up to a price cap; Wales does not have a separate first-time buyer relief. The stamp duty calculator applies the correct rules for your jurisdiction.

Is this financial advice?

No. Everything here is general information and illustrative calculation. We are not a lender, broker or adviser, and we cannot recommend a product to you.

Information, not advice

Buying Budget publishes calculators and general guidance. We are not a lender, mortgage broker or financial adviser and nothing here is a personal recommendation. Speak to an FCA-regulated mortgage adviser before making a decision.