Local Housing Allowance here
Black Country rates, 2026–27, a month: shared room £320 · 1 bed £495 · 2 beds £625 · 3 beds £750 · 4 beds £925. 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) | £45,750 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (additional-home rates) | £10,310 |
| Legal fees | £1,800 |
| Survey | £600 |
| Total cash in | £58,460 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax: £10,310
| £0 – £125,000 | 5% | £6,250 |
| £125,000 – £183,000 | 7% | £4,060 |
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 | £12,132 |
| Mortgage payments (interest only, 5% on £137,250) | −£6,862 |
| Voids (5% of rent) | −£607 |
| Letting and management (10% of rent collected) | −£1,153 |
| Repairs and maintenance (8% of rent) | −£971 |
| Landlord insurance | −£350 |
| Cash flow before tax | £2,190 (£182 a month) |
- Gross yield
- 6.6%
- Net yield (before mortgage)
- 4.9%
- Return on cash in
- 3.7%
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): no. The rent supports a loan of about £138,651 or £119,527. 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