£120000 Mortgage: Monthly Repayments, Income Needed & How to Qualify
If you’re exploring a £120,000 mortgage, you’re likely trying to figure out three things:
how much the monthly repayments might be, what income you’ll need, and how lenders decide whether to approve your application.
This guide explains everything clearly — from repayment examples and deposit requirements to credit considerations and the documents you’ll need.
Let’s take it step by step.
How much does a £120,000 mortgage cost per month?
Your monthly repayment depends on your interest rate and mortgage term. Below are some realistic examples.
Approximate monthly repayments for a £120,000 mortgage
| Rate | Term | Approx. Monthly Repayment |
|---|---|---|
| 3% | 25 years | £569 |
| 4% | 25 years | £633 |
| 5% | 25 years | £702 |
| 6% | 25 years | £773 |
| 4% | 30 years | £573 |
| 5% | 30 years | £645 |
Typical range:
Monthly repayments usually sit between £560 and £770, depending on the rate and term.
If you’d like tailored figures, we can calculate these based on your circumstances.
What income do you need for a £120,000 mortgage?
Most lenders base affordability on 4 to 4.5 times your income.
Income examples
- 4× income: £120,000 mortgage → approx £30,000 salary
- 4.5× income: £120,000 mortgage → approx £26,666 salary
If you’re applying jointly, lenders simply combine both incomes.
Income types lenders consider:
- Salary
- Bonuses, overtime, commission
- Pension income
- Self-employed income
- Certain benefits (varies by lender)
Other factors — like credit commitments, childcare, loans and day-to-day spending — also influence affordability.
If you’d like a personalised affordability check, we can help.
What deposit do you need for a £120,000 mortgage?
Your deposit depends on the purchase price, not the mortgage amount, but these are common lender expectations:
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- 5% deposit: Clean credit
- 10% deposit: Minor credit issues
- 15–25% deposit: Significant credit history (defaults, CCJs, DMPs, bankruptcy etc.)
A larger deposit generally unlocks:
- Better interest rates
- Lower monthly repayments
- More lender choice
If you’re unsure what deposit applies to your situation, we can guide you.
Can you get a £120,000 mortgage on one income?
Yes — many people secure a £120,000 mortgage on a single income.
If your salary fits the affordability range (usually £26,500–£30,000+), and your spending is manageable, lenders are comfortable with single-applicant cases.
If your income varies — such as overtime, bonuses or self-employed earnings — we can help present it clearly so lenders see your full borrowing potential.
You may also find our guide on getting a mortgage on one income useful.
How do lenders assess a £120,000 mortgage application?
Lenders focus on four key areas:
1. Income
Salary, bonus/overtime, pension income and self-employed earnings are all considered.
2. Outgoings
Including:
- Loans and credit cards
- Subscriptions and regular payments
- Car finance
- Childcare costs
- General living expenses
3. Bank statements
They check for:
- Consistent income
- Steady spending
- No excessive overdraft use
- Up-to-date direct debits
We go through your bank statements with you before any lender sees them.
See our full guide on what lenders look for on bank statements.
4. Credit history
Lenders assess:
- Missed payments
- Defaults
- CCJs
- DMPs
- Past insolvency
But these do not automatically stop you getting a mortgage. Specialist lenders often take a more flexible and realistic approach.
Monthly repayment examples for a £120,000 mortgage
Here are two common scenarios:
Example 1
£120,000 mortgage over 25 years at 4.5%
Monthly repayment: ~£666
Example 2
£120,000 mortgage over 30 years at 5%
Monthly repayment: ~£645
If you’d like a tailored breakdown based on your rate and term, just let us know.
Can you get a £120,000 mortgage with bad credit?
Yes — it’s possible.
Specialist lenders consider:
- Past defaults
- CCJs
- Missed payments
- Debt Management Plans
- Bankruptcy (after discharge)
They’ll look at:
- How old the issues are
- Your recent repayment history
- The size of your deposit
- Your overall financial position
You’ll find more detail in our guides on DMP mortgages and mortgages after bankruptcy.
If you’d like your credit file reviewed before applying, we can help with that.
Can you get a £120,000 mortgage if you’re self-employed?
Yes — lenders regularly approve:
- Sole traders
- Limited company directors
- Contractors
- Freelancers
They usually ask for:
- 2+ years of SA302s or accounts
- Sometimes only 1 year if strong and stable
- Salary + dividends or retained profits for directors
We package everything clearly so lenders see your genuine income strength.
See our self-employed guides if you’d like to understand this in more detail.
What if your bank has declined your application?
A decline from your bank doesn’t mean other lenders will say no.
High-street lenders frequently have stricter criteria around:
- Credit blips
- Overdraft use
- Variable income
- Unusual employment patterns
- Short work histories
Specialist lenders can often take a more balanced approach.
We help clients every week who’ve been declined elsewhere.
Let’s explore your options together.
What mortgage term should you choose?
Your term affects both monthly payments and long-term interest.
- Shorter term (20–25 years): Higher payments, lower total interest
- Longer term (30–35+ years): Lower payments, more total interest
We can help you compare options quickly and clearly.
Can you overpay a £120,000 mortgage?
Yes — most lenders allow up to 10% overpayments per year during a fixed-rate deal.
Even modest overpayments can reduce the mortgage term and save significant interest.
What documents will you need?
Most lenders request:
- 3 months’ payslips
- 3–6 months of bank statements
- SA302s/tax overviews if self-employed
- Proof of deposit
- ID and proof of address
If your circumstances are more complex, we’ll help you prepare everything before applying.
Key Takeaways
- £120,000 monthly repayments typically sit between £560–£770
- Income required is usually £26,500–£30,000+
- Deposits range from 5% to 25% depending on credit
- Self-employed and bad-credit applicants can still be accepted
- Being declined by your bank doesn’t mean you can’t get approved elsewhere
Final Thoughts
A £120,000 mortgage is well within reach for many borrowers — even those with complex income or past credit challenges.
At Mortgage Bridge, we specialise in helping people who fall outside standard criteria, guiding your application from start to finish with clarity and confidence.
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