How Much Can I Borrow on a £90000 Income?

If you earn £90,000 a year, you may be asking how much can I borrow on a £90,000 income and whether this puts you at the top end of typical mortgage affordability. While £90,000 is viewed as a high income by most lenders, the final amount you can borrow is still shaped by affordability checks, existing commitments, credit history, and deposit size.

This guide explains how lenders assess borrowing at this income level and what can influence the final figure.

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How much can I borrow on a £90,000 income?

Most lenders begin with income multiples before applying full affordability testing.

As a general guide:

• 4 times income = £360,000
• 4.5 times income = £405,000
• 5 times income = £450,000

For many applicants earning £90,000, borrowing commonly falls between £360,000 and £450,000 before detailed affordability checks.

The final figure may be lower or higher depending on your monthly outgoings and overall financial profile.

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Why income alone does not decide borrowing

Income multiples are only a starting point.

Lenders must assess whether mortgage repayments remain affordable after all regular expenses are taken into account. They also stress test repayments to ensure affordability if interest rates rise.

They typically review:

• Loans, credit cards, and car finance
• Childcare or maintenance costs
• Household bills and living expenses
• Travel and commuting costs

Two applicants both earning £90,000 can receive very different borrowing limits depending on how much disposable income they have left each month.

This process is explained in more detail in our guide on what lenders look for on bank statements.

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What deposit is expected on a £90,000 income?

Your deposit does not directly increase income multiples, but it has a strong influence on lender choice and interest rates.

Typical expectations include:

• 5% deposit – fewer lenders and tighter affordability
• 10% deposit – broader lender access
• 15–20% deposit – strongest position with more competitive rates

A larger deposit reduces lender risk, which can make higher borrowing more achievable and improve mortgage terms.

This is particularly relevant for buyers using first-time buyer mortgage products.

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How affordability stress testing affects borrowing

Even at higher income levels, lenders apply stress testing.

For example, a £405,000 mortgage may look affordable at initial rates, but when assessed at a higher stressed rate, repayments may exceed affordability limits. If this happens, the lender will reduce the maximum loan offered.

This is why some applicants earning £90,000 receive offers below headline income multiples.

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Can you borrow five times income on £90,000?

In some cases, yes.

Borrowing close to five times income may be available where:

• Credit history is strong
• Outgoings are relatively low
• Employment is stable and well established
• Deposit is above average

Not all lenders offer these levels, and affordability must still fully support the borrowing amount.

If you are applying on your own, affordability is based entirely on one income. This is covered in more detail in our guide on getting a mortgage on one income.

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How credit history affects borrowing on £90,000

Credit history remains important, even at higher income levels.

Applicants with:

• Clean repayment history
• Low credit utilisation
• No recent adverse credit

are more likely to access higher income multiples and better interest rates.

If your credit file includes defaults, CCJs, or previous financial difficulties, borrowing may still be possible, but lenders may cap income multiples or require a larger deposit.

This is explored further in our guide on getting a mortgage after bankruptcy.

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Does self-employment change how much you can borrow?

If your £90,000 income is self-employed, lenders usually assess earnings differently from salaried applicants.

They may look at:

• Average net profit for sole traders
• Salary and dividends for company directors
• Retained profits with certain lenders

If income fluctuates, some lenders use the lowest year rather than an average, which can reduce borrowing compared to employed applicants on the same headline income.

Income structure can be just as important as income level.

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How existing debts affect borrowing capacity

Ongoing financial commitments reduce affordability.

These include:

• Personal loans
• Car finance
• Credit card balances
• Student loan deductions

Even manageable debts are included in affordability calculations. Reducing balances before applying can sometimes increase borrowing without increasing income.

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Why borrowing may be lower than expected

Some applicants earning £90,000 are surprised by lower borrowing offers.

Common reasons include:

• High childcare or maintenance costs
• Significant unsecured debt
• Variable or bonus-heavy income
• Recent employment changes
• Credit issues within recent years

In these cases, lenders prioritise long-term affordability rather than headline salary.

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How joint applications affect borrowing

For joint applications, lenders combine incomes and assess affordability together.

For example:

• One applicant earning £90,000
• Second applicant earning £40,000

Borrowing is assessed on the combined £130,000 income, but both credit profiles and all commitments are reviewed. One weaker credit history can still affect the final outcome.

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Can bonuses or additional income be included?

Some lenders may include additional income such as:

• Regular bonuses
• Commission
• Overtime
• Child maintenance
• Certain long-term benefits

Not all lenders include these in full, and some apply a percentage. This can make a meaningful difference where total income exceeds £90,000.

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What if your bank declines your application?

A decline from one lender does not mean borrowing is impossible.

Some lenders apply rigid affordability models, while others take a different approach, particularly for higher earners or complex income cases.

Understanding lender criteria before applying can help reduce unnecessary rejections.

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How to maximise borrowing on a £90,000 income

You may improve borrowing outcomes by:

• Reducing unsecured debt
• Increasing your deposit
• Avoiding new credit before applying
• Demonstrating stable income
• Keeping bank statements consistent

Even small changes can positively affect affordability calculations.

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Is £90,000 a strong income for a mortgage?

£90,000 is generally viewed as a strong income by most lenders.

It provides access to a wide range of mortgage products, particularly when combined with a reasonable deposit and clean credit history. The key consideration is ensuring repayments remain affordable over the long term.

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Summary: how much can I borrow on a £90,000 income?

In most cases:

• Typical borrowing range: £360,000 to £450,000
• Final amount depends on affordability, not just income
• Deposit size strongly influences options
• Credit history and outgoings can increase or reduce limits

Understanding how lenders assess affordability helps set realistic expectations before applying.

You can learn more about how lenders assess income and spending in our other mortgage guides.
If you want personalised advice, speaking to a regulated mortgage adviser may help.

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This guide provides general information only. Personalised mortgage advice should always come from a regulated mortgage adviser.