Rent affordability calculator

How the rent affordability calculator works

Many UK landlords and letting agents use a simple rule of thumb when they check whether rent is affordable: your yearly income before tax should be about 30 times the monthly rent. That's the same as 2.5 times the yearly rent.

So for a rent of £1,000 a month you'd usually need about £30,000 a year. To find the guide figure for your income, the calculator divides your yearly income by 30.

Renting with other people? Your incomes can be added together. Some referencing companies also check each person against their own share of the rent, so we show that too.

Using a guarantor? Guarantors are usually asked for a higher income, about 36 times the monthly rent (3 times the yearly rent). For a £1,000 rent that's about £36,000 a year.

Count all your regular income. Add up all the regular money you get, from every source. If tax is taken off any of it, use the amount before tax. If some of it isn't taxed, just enter what you get. If you're paid on different cycles, add each income on its own line.

The rent to income ratio at a glance

This is only a guide, not financial advice. It doesn't look at your outgoings. The landlord, and the referencing company if one is used, make the final decision.

Read how renting with us works.

Tips before you start viewing

1. Use your result as a starting point.It's a guide, so it's still worth asking about homes a little above it, especially if you have a guarantor or savings.
2. Remember the other costs. Council tax, energy, water, broadband and the TV licence all come on top of rent. Build them into your monthly budget.
3. Have your paperwork ready.Referencing usually asks for proof of identity, your Right to Rent, proof of income and details of where you've lived. Having it to hand can help things move faster.
4. Talk to your guarantor early.If you think you might need one, ask them before you apply so they're ready to be referenced too.
5. Renting with others?Agree how you'll split the rent before you apply. Referencing may look at each person's share.
6. Know what you can be asked to pay. In England, before you move in, a landlord or letting agent can ask for:
   • a holding depositof up to 1 week's rent, to reserve the home while checks are done;
   • a tenancy depositof up to 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if the yearly rent is £50,000 or more), which must be protected in a government-approved scheme;
   • rent in advanceof up to 1 month's rent (or 28 days' rent if you pay weekly), but only after you've both signed the tenancy agreement. They can't ask for or take rent before then.
   Fees for things like viewings, referencing, credit checks and tenancy agreements are banned. Once you've moved in, a few other charges are allowed, such as a capped fee if you ask to change the tenancy, or interest on rent that's more than 14 days late.
7. Ask if you're not sure what to send. Any reasonable evidence of income is fine, such as payslips, bank statements or award letters.

Renting in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

From seafront flats in Bournemouth to family homes in Poole and Christchurch, the area has a wide mix of homes to rent. Once you know your budget, sign up with your result above and we'll email you new homes to rent in your price range.

See the areas we cover.

Common questions