Local Housing Allowance here
Luton rates, 2026–27, a month: shared room £436 · 1 bed £700 · 2 beds £875 · 3 beds £1,100 · 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) | £47,250 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (additional-home rates) | £10,730 |
| Legal fees | £1,800 |
| Survey | £600 |
| Total cash in | £60,380 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax: £10,730
| £0 – £125,000 | 5% | £6,250 |
| £125,000 – £189,000 | 7% | £4,480 |
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 | £13,368 |
| Mortgage payments (interest only, 5% on £141,750) | −£7,087 |
| Voids (5% of rent) | −£668 |
| Letting and management (10% of rent collected) | −£1,270 |
| Repairs and maintenance (8% of rent) | −£1,069 |
| Landlord insurance | −£350 |
| Cash flow before tax | £2,923 (£244 a month) |
- Gross yield
- 7.1%
- Net yield (before mortgage)
- 5.3%
- Return on cash in
- 4.8%
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 £152,777 or £131,704. 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