Can you still borrow 4.5 X salary?

[CPHB2021]

I understand this is totally dependent on personal scenarios I.e- credit score, outgoings, dependants etc but is the general rule still 4-4.5X salary even with the rates as they are?

Yes. And higher even if you are in the right income bracket.

One imagines job security, loan:value ratio and credit history make a difference.

Currently going through the process and trying to borrow around 4x our income but struggling with some lenders! Both have excellent credit scores, 40% tax payers and 25% deposit. I suspect in our case that the reluctance has to do with childcare fees. Our preferred two lenders wouldn’t lend us enough but looks like no. 3 will, just awaiting their decision.

I think childcare fees really change things, which is unfair as they're a temporary cost. Luckily, we have no childcare fees though do have children. Really hoping we can borrow the full 4.5X but DH is self employed so I wonder if they will think this is a red flag!

Thank you!

Yes, I believe so. Especially unfair as they will reduce in September as my little one becomes entitled to free hours. We haven’t been through a mortgage broker (yet) as our circumstances are fairly straight forward but if we don’t get enough from this lender, we will do. Good luck, hopefully you’ll get what you want and all will go smoothly!!