Nationwide is expanding its high loan-to-income (LTI) lending, allowing home movers and remortgaging customers to borrow up to six times their income.
The move builds on changes made in 2025 following regulatory updates from the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority, aimed at improving access to the mortgage market.
New applicants moving home or remortgaging will need a minimum income of £75,000 for sole borrowers or £100,000 for joint applications. Existing Nationwide customers moving to a new home in 2026 will not face minimum income requirements.
Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s Group Director of Mortgages, said: “The government and regulatory changes last year have been a game changer for first-time buyers. Alongside our Helping Hand expansion to six times income in September 2024, they’ve enabled greater support for those who need it most.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen a five-fold increase in the number of first-time buyers borrowing between 5.5 and six times income. Our latest announcement means we will provide similar support to those looking to move home or remortgage to Nationwide and shows our commitment to all parts of the market.”
First-time buyers remain supported through the Helping Hand scheme, which allows borrowing up to six times income. In 2025, Nationwide reported a 57% increase in first-time buyer mortgages at or above five times income compared with 2024.
For remortgages without additional borrowing, the society already allows lending up to 6.5 times income up to 95% loan-to-value.
Nicholas Mendes, mortgage technical manager at John Charcol, said: “Nationwide extending six times income lending beyond first time buyers is a positive step, particularly as the first wave of Helping Hand customers starts to look at their next move, a remortgage, or additional borrowing. It supports borrowers who are constrained by income multiples rather than the monthly cost, and it shows how lenders are adapting to the reality of today’s housing market. With the right advice, borrowers can use that flexibility to move sooner and secure a deal that fits both the immediate need and the longer-term plan.”
Mary-Lou Press, president of NAEA Propertymark, added: “Nationwide’s decision to extend higher loan-to-income lending to home movers and remortgagers is a positive step that will help support mobility within the housing market and give borrowers greater flexibility at a time when affordability remains stretched.
“The expansion builds on recent regulatory changes and reflects the reality faced by many buyers, particularly those trying to move up the ladder or refinance in a higher-rate environment. Enabling responsible access to higher-income multiples can help prevent households from becoming trapped in unsuitable homes.
“However, increased lending capacity alone will not solve the UK’s housing challenges. As well as this, boosting housing supply must go hand-in-hand with ensuring the right homes are being built in the right places, improving affordability, and protecting buyers from unnecessary long-term financial risk. A functioning housing market depends on balanced policy across lending, planning, and supply.”
