PP Police Pay
Updated 25 February 2026

Police Mortgage
Borrowing Calculator

See how much you may be able to borrow as a police officer, including the real impact of overtime, allowances, pension deductions, and lender affordability rules.

Independent explanatory tool. Not a mortgage offer. Not financial advice. We are not affiliated with any lender, broker, police force, or government body.

Your Income Details

£
£
£

Only include consistent, pensionable or fixed monthly allowances.

Lending Multiplier
4.5x

Standard UK range: 4.0x – 4.5x

3.5x4.5x (Safe)5.5x (High)
Affordability Stress Tests:Lenders may cap multi-income households or high DTIs (Debt to Income) even if the multiplier allows for more. 4.5x is the standard regulatory 'speed limit' for 85% of a lender's portfolio.

Borrowing Scenarios

Comparing how different lender types assess your police income.

Conservative

High Street

Borrowing Estimate
£189,000
0% Overtime recognized
50% Allowances
"Borrowing Gap"
-£21,600
Selected
Balanced

Standard

Borrowing Estimate
£199,800
50% Overtime recognized
75% Allowances
"Borrowing Gap"
-£10,800
Best Case

Police-Friendly

Borrowing Estimate
£210,600
100% Overtime recognized
100% Allowances
Maximum Impact
Brokers typically target this range for emergency services.

What This Means For Your Application

The difference between a bank that shades your overtime and one that values your actual payslip income can be tens of thousands of pounds. While some lenders require 6 months of consistency, a specialized broker can often identify "Police-Friendly" lenders who will leverage your full allowances and overtime from just 3 months of evidence.

Payslip Evidence Required
Regional Stress Testing Applies
Independent Estimates

Updated: 25/02/2026 • Borrowing Power Comparator v2.0 • Independent Data Logic

How Lenders Assess Police Income

While your base salary is guaranteed, the 'variable' nature of police pay means different lenders will offer vastly different loan amounts.

A) Does Police Overtime Count for a Mortgage?

In short: Yes, but with caveats. Because overtime is technically non-guaranteed, many high-street lenders view it as risky. They fear that if your role changes or policing budgets are cut, that extra income might disappear.

Typical lender treatments fall into three categories:

  • 0%: Common with conservative banks. They ignore every penny of your OT.
  • 50%: Most standard lenders will take an average of your OT and then 'shade' it by half.
  • 100%: Specialized lenders recognize that police OT is often rostered and highly stable. They use the full average.

Sustainability is Key

Lenders aren't just looking at the number; they are looking at the consistency. If you've worked 20 hours of OT every month for a year, it's far more valuable than a single 60-hour month followed by zero hours.

B) What Evidence Lenders Usually Want

Payslips

At least 3 months are required. If your income is highly seasonal, 6 months may be requested to establish a fair average.

P60

Your year-end tax summary proves the long-term sustainability of your earnings and captures annual bonuses or back-pay.

Bank Statements

Lenders will cross-reference your payslip 'net pay' to your actual bank deposits to verify there are no hidden deductions.

C) What Counts as “Police-Friendly” Lending

A "Police-Friendly" lender isn't necessarily a bank with a badge in the logo. It is a lender whose underwriting criteria specifically cater to the unique structure of public sector pay.

Key Characteristics:

  • Uses 100% of averaged overtime and allowances.
  • Accepts London Weighting as a base-salary equivalent.
  • Waives length-of-service rules for probationers.

Specialized brokers often help navigate these criteria. Because these 'manual underwriters' look at the person, not just the score, they can often approve cases that a computer-led high-street bank would decline.

D) The Hidden Factors That Reduce Borrowing

!

Pension Deductions

High contributions (12%+) reduce your net take-home pay used in stress tests.

!

Student Loans

Plan 1 vs Plan 2 deductions are significant fixed monthly 'debts' in lender eyes.

!

Childcare & Credit

Nursery fees and car finance are often pound-for-pound reductions in borrowing power.

E) Why Outcomes Differ for Same-Salary Officers

Two officers earning £50,000 might be offered £200k and £240k respectively. Why?

  • Officer A: Has car finance (£300/mo) and ignores OT in application.
  • Officer B: Uses a broker, captures 100% OT, and has zero consumer debt.

F) London & South East Reality

While London Weighting and South East allowances add thousands to your gross income, they rarely keep pace with property inflation in those zones. An officer in the Met may 'borrow' more, but their 'affordability' in terms of lifestyle might be lower than an officer in a Northern force.

View the Property Atlas Flagship →
X-Factor

Regional Weighting Treatment

G) Practical Officer Checklist

Follow these steps 6 months before you plan to apply.

1
Gather 6 months of digital payslips
2
Stop taking out new credit or car finance
3
Calculate your 12-month overtime average
4
Verify your South East / London allowance amount
5
Check your credit report for errors
6
Identify a broker familiar with police pay

H) Common Myths

Myth #1

"Police always get special mortgage rates"

False. Interest rates are generally determined by your Loan-to-Value (LTV) and credit score. The 'special' part of a police mortgage is usually the affordability criteria (how much they let you borrow), not a lower interest rate.

Myth #2

"Overtime always counts at 100%"

False. This depends entirely on the lender. Without the right broker, most high-street banks will slash your overtime income by half before they even start their calculation.

Next Steps

Property Hub

The complete guide to UK police property and mortgages.

Property Atlas 2026

Our flagship guide on regional police house price affordability.

Salary vs Mortgage

How police pay rises compare to UK housing market trends.

Overtime Calculator

Calculate exactly how much you earn for your extra hours.

Mortgage Borrowing FAQs

? Does police overtime count towards a mortgage?

Yes, but treatment varies significantly between lenders. While high-street banks may ignore overtime or only count 50% of it, specialized 'police-friendly' lenders can count 100% of your averaged overtime from the last 3 to 6 months. This depends on showing a consistent pattern in your payslips.

? How many payslips do I need for overtime to count?

Most lenders require at least 3 months of payslips to establish an average of your overtime and allowances. However, some lenders prefer to see 6 months or even a P60 to ensure the income is sustainable. Consistency is more important than the amount.

? Do lenders accept London Weighting and South East allowance?

Generally, yes. Most lenders treat London Weighting and South East allowances as 100% of income because they are fixed and guaranteed parts of your contract. They are treated similarly to your base salary in affordability calculations.

? What is a typical mortgage multiplier in the UK?

Standard income multipliers range from 4.0x to 4.5x your annual income. For individuals with higher salaries or strong affordability profiles, some lenders may extend this to 5.0x or even 5.5x, though these are subject to stricter regulatory 'speed limits'.

? Can I use overtime to replace a deposit?

No. Overtime increases your 'borrowing power' (how much you can borrow against your income), but it does not count as capital. You still need a cash deposit (usually at least 5% of the property value) and funds for Stamp Duty and legal fees.

? Do all lenders treat overtime the same way?

Absolutely not. This is the biggest variable in police mortgages. Some lenders view overtime as 'non-guaranteed' and ignore it entirely, while others recognize it as a core part of the police role and will use a multi-month average as valid income.

? What if my overtime is irregular?

If your overtime fluctuates wildly month-to-month, lenders are likely to take a more conservative view. They may take a 12-month average or use the lowest of your recent months. Providing a written explanation of your roster or role can sometimes help a specialist broker place the case.

? Should I use a broker as a police officer?

A broker who understands the emergency services market is highly recommended. They know which lenders will accept 100% of overtime and allowances, saving you from applications that would be rejected by conservative high-street banks.

? Can a probationer get a mortgage?

Yes. Being in a recruitment or probationary period is not an automatic bar to getting a mortgage as a police officer. Lenders who understand the police pay structure view the role as highly secure and often waive the usual 'length of employment' requirements if you have a permanent contract.

? Does pension contribution reduce how much I can borrow?

Indirectly, yes. Lenders look at your 'net take-home pay' and your overall affordability. Because police pension contributions are relatively high (around 12.5% to 13.5%), they reduce your discretionary income, which can lower the maximum amount a lender is willing to offer under stress testing.

Resource Link: https://www.policepay.co.uk/calculators/mortgage-borrowing-calculator/