For many first-time buyers, getting onto the property ladder can feel increasingly difficult. House prices remain high, saving a deposit can take years, and mortgage rates can make affordability calculations uncomfortable.

However, changes in the way some lenders assess borrowing could give certain buyers more options than they might have had a few years ago.

This article was inspired by reporting by Kevin Peachey for BBC News, published on 3 August 2026, which looked at how changes to mortgage lending rules and lenders’ affordability criteria are affecting first-time buyers. You can read the original BBC News article here.

Some lenders are willing to offer larger mortgages

Traditionally, one of the biggest barriers for first-time buyers has been the amount they can borrow compared with their salary.

A buyer might have a reasonable deposit and a stable income but still find that the maximum mortgage offered by a lender falls well short of the price of homes in their area.

That is beginning to change.

Some mortgage providers are now prepared, in certain circumstances, to lend considerably more in relation to a borrower’s annual income. Depending on the lender and the applicant’s financial circumstances, products allowing borrowing of around five or six times income — and occasionally more — may be available.

That doesn’t mean everyone will qualify, and it certainly doesn’t mean borrowing the maximum available will be appropriate for everyone.

But it could make a significant difference to buyers whose income previously prevented them from borrowing enough.

Why has mortgage lending changed?

Mortgage lending became much more tightly controlled following the 2008 financial crisis.

Regulators subsequently introduced restrictions designed to prevent banks from taking excessive risks, including limits on the proportion of mortgages that lenders could issue at high loan-to-income ratios.

More recently, those restrictions have been adjusted, giving lenders greater flexibility over the mortgages they can offer.

The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority announced changes to the loan-to-income framework in 2025, creating more scope for lenders to offer higher-income-multiple mortgages while still requiring them to assess whether borrowers can realistically afford the repayments.

This doesn’t amount to a return to unrestricted lending. Banks and building societies still have affordability rules, credit checks and their own lending criteria.

What has changed is the range of options potentially available to some borrowers.

What might lenders look for?

Being able to borrow five or six times your salary isn’t simply a matter of asking for a bigger mortgage.

Higher loan-to-income products are normally aimed at borrowers who meet fairly specific requirements.

Depending on the lender, this may include a strong credit record, relatively low levels of existing debt and a stable source of income. Some products also have minimum salary requirements.

Your deposit will matter too. Although there are now more options for buyers with smaller deposits, the amount of equity you can put into the purchase can affect both the products available and the interest rate you are offered.

Lenders may also look closely at your monthly expenditure and other financial commitments before deciding how much you can comfortably repay.

Self-employed applicants may face different requirements because lenders often want additional evidence showing that their income is sustainable.

Being allowed to borrow more doesn’t necessarily mean you should

This is probably the most important point.

A larger mortgage can make a property purchase possible, but it also creates a larger long-term financial commitment.

For example, think about what would happen if your circumstances changed.

You could lose your job, decide to reduce your working hours, have children, become responsible for caring for somebody else or experience an unexpected illness.

Mortgage rates can change as well. When an initial fixed-rate period ends, the mortgage deals available at that point may be more expensive than the one you originally took out.

That makes financial headroom important.

Rather than looking only at the maximum amount a lender is prepared to offer, consider what monthly repayment would remain manageable if your household finances became tighter.

Keeping emergency savings after completing the purchase can also provide some protection against unexpected costs.

Could this help first-time buyers?

For some people, absolutely.

A change in borrowing limits could mean the difference between continuing to rent and being able to purchase a suitable property.

It could be particularly relevant to buyers with strong incomes who have struggled because house prices in their area are disproportionately high compared with salaries.

But higher income multiples aren’t a solution to every affordability problem.

You’ll still need to satisfy the lender’s affordability assessment, provide an acceptable deposit and demonstrate that you can manage the repayments.

And there is an important distinction between being able to qualify for a mortgage and being comfortable with the mortgage you’re taking on.

Before applying for a mortgage

If you’re considering buying your first home, it can be useful to look beyond the headline borrowing multiple.

Check your credit history, work out how much deposit you can realistically provide and review your existing debts and monthly commitments.

Most importantly, calculate what the mortgage would actually cost each month and consider how those repayments would fit into your finances if interest rates or your personal circumstances changed.

Speaking to a mortgage adviser may also help you understand which lenders and products are appropriate for your circumstances.

Changes in mortgage lending mean some first-time buyers may discover they can borrow more than they previously expected.

Whether borrowing more is the right decision is a separate question — and one that deserves just as much attention as getting the mortgage approved in the first place.

Source and further reading: This article draws on information reported by Kevin Peachey, Cost of Living Correspondent, in BBC News, “It may be easier to get your first mortgage than you think – here’s why,” published 3 August 2026. The BBC article includes additional commentary from mortgage brokers and discussion of recent changes to lending practices. Read the original report on BBC News.

Information about regulatory changes should also be checked against the Bank of England / Prudential Regulation Authority before making financial decisions.

This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Mortgage eligibility and affordability criteria vary between lenders and individual borrowers.