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 (25% of price) | £18,250 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (additional-home rates) | £3,650 |
| Legal fees | £1,800 |
| Survey | £600 |
| Total cash in | £24,300 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax: £3,650
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 | £18,708 |
| Mortgage payments (interest only, 5% on £54,750) | −£2,737 |
| Voids (5% of rent) | −£935 |
| Letting and management (10% of rent collected) | −£1,777 |
| Repairs and maintenance (8% of rent) | −£1,497 |
| Landlord insurance | −£350 |
| Cash flow before tax | £11,411 (£951 a month) |
- Gross yield
- 25.6%
- Net yield (before mortgage)
- 19.4%
- Return on cash in
- 47.0%
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 £213,806 or £184,315. 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