Local Housing Allowance here
Central Greater Manchester rates, 2026–27, a month: shared room £412 · 1 bed £775 · 2 beds £875 · 3 beds £950 · 4 beds £1,350. The most housing support a tenant on benefits can get here; a guide to the bottom of the market.
Cash in
| Deposit (30% of price; bridging loan for the rest) | £10,200 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (additional-home rates) | £1,700 |
| Legal fees | £1,800 |
| Survey | £600 |
| Bridging fee (2%) | £476 |
| Bridging interest (6 months at 0.85% a month) | £1,214 |
| Total cash in | £15,990 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax: £1,700
Additional-home rates, as checked in October 2026. Buying through a company, or replacing your main home, can change this. Stamp duty calculator
A year of letting after refinancing
| Rent | £17,196 |
| Mortgage payments (interest only, 5% on £32,250) | −£1,612 |
| Voids (5% of rent) | −£860 |
| Letting and management (10% of rent collected) | −£1,634 |
| Repairs and maintenance (8% of rent) | −£1,376 |
| Landlord insurance | −£350 |
| Cash flow before tax | £11,364 (£947 a month) |
- Gross yield
- 50.6%
- Net yield (before mortgage)
- 38.2%
Refinance
| New mortgage (75% of £43,000) | £32,250 |
| Bridging loan repaid | −£23,800 |
| Cash back out | £8,450 |
| Money left in the deal | £7,540 |
Return on the money left in: 150.7% a year.
Will a lender agree?
Lenders usually test the rent against interest at a higher “stress” rate, here 7%. Rent covers it by 125% (basic-rate taxpayers and companies): yes; by 145% (higher-rate taxpayers): yes. The rent supports a loan of about £196,526 or £169,419. Lenders differ.
- Many lenders will not remortgage on a new valuation until you have owned the home for six months.
All figures are before income tax. Individual landlords cannot deduct mortgage interest in full (they get a 20% tax credit instead), so higher-rate taxpayers pay tax on more than their cash flow. This is a calculator, not financial advice. Read the guide