NATIONWIDE has extended 6x income lending to home movers and remortgagers as brokers said, while it is a “great step in the right direction”, it is “not without risk”.
Nationwide will now lend up to 6x income to both new and existing customers moving home or remortgaging up to 95 per cent loan‑to‑value (LTV), through its Helping Hand scheme.
To qualify for the enhanced borrowing, new customers moving home or remortgaging to Nationwide will need a minimum annual income of £75,000 for sole applicants, or £100,000 for joint applications.
However, for existing Nationwide customers there will be no minimum income requirements.
This follows a similar move by Barclays in November last year.
In 2025, Nationwide saw a 57 per cent increase in the number of first-time buyer mortgages taken at or above 5x income compared with 2024, as well as an over five-fold increase in loans to those borrowing at or above 5.5x their income.
Ben Perks, Managing Director at Stourbridge-based Orchard Financial Advisers, said it is positive news but won’t benefit people on low incomes.
He added: “This is a great step in the right direction. Affordability is a big stumbling block for borrowers, as the cost of housing forces people to stretch themselves to the max.
“The criteria is slightly questionable though, outside the capital individuals on £75k and couples on £100k aren’t the ones that are hardest hit when it comes to affordability. So, other than London and other high value areas, it doesn’t quite help the borrowers that need it most.”
Stephen Perkins, Managing Director at Norwich-based Yellow Brick Mortgages, warned that high LTV mortgages are risky.
He continued: “When the restriction on the amount of lending by a lender can be over 4.5x income was lifted, the justification was that some lenders would offer more, some wouldn’t and the overall % across the marketplace would remain below the desired threshold.
“However, as expected, more lenders want to compete to help more customers borrow more, so this will snow-ball until there is real risk of offering unaffordable mortgages. We do not want a repeat of the 2008 crash.
“Right now Nationwide, like others, will set income minimums for this, but by already saying no minimum for existing customers that is the start of a complete easing of this. Whilst great for borrowers chances of buying, puts them at risk down the line.”
Patricia McGirr, Founder at Burnley-based Repossession Rescue Network, also warned that the risk is high.
She added: “This isn’t reckless lending, but it is a reminder that high income doesn’t equal low risk. Borrowing 6x income can help keep the housing market moving, particularly for home movers and remortgagers who are otherwise stuck.
“But stretching affordability only works while rates, jobs and health behave themselves. Even high earners can come unstuck quickly when mortgage deals reset or circumstances change. This will suit a narrow group with strong finances and clear buffers.
“It does nothing for the wider affordability problem and it should never be sold as a solution. The danger is normalising bigger multiples instead of building resilience. Sensible lending isn’t about how much you can borrow on a good day, it’s about how well you cope when the pressure hits.”
Aaron Strutt, Product and Communications Director at London-based Trinity Financial, said this is aimed at younger people and professionals aiming to buy larger homes.
He added: “The list of lenders offering up to 6x salary mortgages has got even longer especially for higher earners keen to get on the property ladder. While a 6x salary might seem like quite a stretch, many borrowers may not need to raise the full 6x income; they may need just over 5.5 or slightly more to get the property they want.
“These mortgages are useful for many younger people and professionals aiming to buy larger homes rather than traditional starter flats. Barclays and HSBC do not charge a premium on the rate to access their income-stretch mortgages, unlike some lenders that charge higher rates or require applicants to take longer-term fixes.
“They do have stricter minimum income requirements, though. Nationwide was the first major lender to offer up to 6x salary mortgages to first-time buyers, and the scheme has been incredibly popular. Metro Bank and Bank of Ireland recently eased their criteria as well to offer 6x salary as well.”
Riz Malik, Director at Southend-on-Sea-based R3 Wealth, said it could help bring borrowers back to the market.
He continued: “Lenders expanding criteria is a great way of showing their commitment to the market. All we need is confidence to return which may be an issue for borrowers extending their borrowing.”
Photo by Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash.
