Rent Affordability Calculator UK
Check whether your rent is affordable based on your monthly income and existing debts. See your affordability ratio and recommended maximum rent.
Calculator
What this means
Financial advisers often recommend spending no more than 30% of gross monthly income on housing costs. Including existing debts gives a clearer picture of what you can realistically afford.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your monthly income (gross or take-home).
- Add any regular debt repayments.
- See a recommended maximum rent and whether a property is affordable.
Worked example
You take home £2,200 a month.
- The common rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- £2,200 × 30% = £660 a month.
A maximum rent of around £660 a month would be considered affordable.
Who this is for
- Renters working out a realistic budget before viewing.
- People comparing areas or flat-shares.
- Anyone checking they will pass a letting agent's affordability test.
How much rent can you afford?
A widely used guideline is to keep rent at or below 30% of income. Letting agents often work from gross salary and may require your income to be around 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent.
Remember rent is not your only housing cost — council tax, energy, water and broadband all add up. Checking affordability against take-home pay gives a safer, more realistic picture.
Frequently asked questions
A common guideline is 30% of gross monthly income. Some lenders and landlords use 35–40% as an upper limit, but lower is generally safer.
This calculator uses gross (before tax) income, which is the standard approach for affordability checks. Using net income would give a more conservative result.
No. Enter your rent only. You should budget separately for council tax, utilities, insurance and other household costs.
Most letting agents assess affordability using your gross (pre-tax) salary, often requiring it to be 2.5 to 3 times the annual rent. Budgeting against take-home pay is stricter and more realistic.
You may still be accepted with a guarantor, a larger deposit, or by sharing. Above about 40% of income on rent, most budgets become a stretch.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for guidance only. It is not financial, legal or tax advice. Always check official sources or speak to a qualified professional before making decisions.
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