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) | £24,500 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (additional-home rates) | £4,900 |
| Legal fees | £1,800 |
| Survey | £600 |
| Total cash in | £31,800 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax: £4,900
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 | £11,436 |
| Mortgage payments (interest only, 5% on £73,500) | −£3,675 |
| Voids (5% of rent) | −£572 |
| Letting and management (10% of rent collected) | −£1,086 |
| Repairs and maintenance (8% of rent) | −£915 |
| Landlord insurance | −£350 |
| Cash flow before tax | £4,838 (£403 a month) |
- Gross yield
- 11.7%
- Net yield (before mortgage)
- 8.7%
- Return on cash in
- 15.2%
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 £130,697 or £112,670. 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