Local Housing Allowance here
Swindon rates, 2026–27, a month: shared room £451 · 1 bed £675 · 2 beds £785 · 3 beds £950 · 4 beds £1,300. The most housing support a tenant on benefits can get here; a guide to the bottom of the market.
Cash in
| Deposit (25% of price) | £17,500 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (additional-home rates) | £3,500 |
| Legal fees | £1,800 |
| Survey | £600 |
| Total cash in | £23,400 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax: £3,500
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
| Rent | £9,840 |
| Mortgage payments (interest only, 5% on £52,500) | −£2,625 |
| Voids (5% of rent) | −£492 |
| Letting and management (10% of rent collected) | −£935 |
| Repairs and maintenance (8% of rent) | −£787 |
| Landlord insurance | −£350 |
| Cash flow before tax | £4,651 (£388 a month) |
- Gross yield
- 14.1%
- Net yield (before mortgage)
- 10.4%
- Return on cash in
- 19.9%
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 £112,457 or £96,946. Lenders differ.
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