Tools
Buy-to-let calculator (ICR stress test)
Does your rent cover the lender's stress test? Get your ICR, a pass/fail, and the maximum loan that passes. Indicative only.
Your BTL stress test
Loan amount£200,000
Your ICR136%
ResultPasses
Max loan that passes£217,000
How the ICR stress test works
Lenders size a buy-to-let on the interest coverage ratio (ICR): the annual rent divided by the mortgage interest at a stress rate (often higher than the pay rate). Most want the rent to cover 125% of that stressed interest for basic-rate and limited-company borrowers, and 145% for higher-rate taxpayers.
If your case falls short, the usual fixes are a bigger deposit (lower the loan), a lender with a lower stress rate, top-slicing from other income, or a limited-company/SPV structure. We map the right lender before you apply.
If it falls short
- Lower the loan / larger deposit
- A lender with a friendlier stress rate
- Top-slicing surplus income
- Limited-company / SPV route