Local Housing Allowance here
East Lancs rates, 2026–27, a month: shared room £292 · 1 bed £425 · 2 beds £475 · 3 beds £595 · 4 beds £795. 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) | £18,900 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (additional-home rates) | £3,150 |
| Legal fees | £1,800 |
| Survey | £600 |
| Bridging fee (2%) | £882 |
| Bridging interest (6 months at 0.85% a month) | £2,249 |
| Total cash in | £27,581 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax: £3,150
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 | £8,568 |
| Mortgage payments (interest only, 5% on £59,250) | −£2,962 |
| Voids (5% of rent) | −£428 |
| Letting and management (10% of rent collected) | −£814 |
| Repairs and maintenance (8% of rent) | −£685 |
| Landlord insurance | −£350 |
| Cash flow before tax | £3,328 (£277 a month) |
- Gross yield
- 13.6%
- Net yield (before mortgage)
- 10.0%
Refinance
| New mortgage (75% of £79,000) | £59,250 |
| Bridging loan repaid | −£44,100 |
| Cash back out | £15,150 |
| Money left in the deal | £12,431 |
Return on the money left in: 26.8% 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 £97,920 or £84,414. 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