Local Housing Allowance here
Southport rates, 2026–27, a month: shared room £369 · 1 bed £475 · 2 beds £600 · 3 beds £775 · 4 beds £925. The most housing support a tenant on benefits can get here; a guide to the bottom of the market.
Planning
The council publishes HMO Article 4 areas and this postcode is not in one. Check with the council before buying. HMO guide
Cash in
| Deposit (25% of price) | £63,250 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (additional-home rates) | £15,300 |
| Legal fees | £1,800 |
| Survey | £600 |
| Total cash in | £80,950 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax: £15,300
| £0 – £125,000 | 5% | £6,250 |
| £125,000 – £250,000 | 7% | £8,750 |
| £250,000 – £253,000 | 10% | £300 |
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 (4 rooms x £460 a month) | £22,080 |
| Mortgage payments (interest only, 5% on £189,750) | −£9,487 |
| Voids (5% of rent) | −£1,104 |
| Letting and management (10% of rent collected) | −£2,098 |
| Repairs and maintenance (8% of rent) | −£1,766 |
| Landlord insurance | −£350 |
| Bills you pay (energy, water, broadband, council tax) | −£5,400 |
| Cash flow before tax | £1,875 (£156 a month) |
- Gross yield
- 8.7%
- Net yield (before mortgage)
- 4.5%
- Return on cash in
- 2.3%
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 £252,343 or £217,537. 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