Mortgage basics
How do I use Lenddoo's mortgage affordability calculator?
Open the affordability calculator, enter your gross monthly income, existing debt repayments, and desired term. The tool applies the 50% debt burden ratio cap and typical bank stress rates to show your indicative maximum loan and monthly instalment in seconds, no sign-up required.
What this calculator is for
The affordability calculator answers one question: how much can you realistically borrow, based on your income and existing debt, before you've picked a property. It's different from the mortgage calculator, which works backwards from a property price you already have in mind, see how to use that tool for the distinction.
Step 1: enter your income and liabilities
Start on the affordability calculator page. Input your gross monthly salary (or average monthly income if self-employed), then list any recurring debt: car loans, personal loans, and minimum credit card payments. The calculator uses these to apply the UAE's 50% debt burden ratio (DBR) cap, a term explained further in the mortgage glossary.
Step 2: set your term and property price
Choose a term of up to 25 years, keeping in mind the maximum age at maturity is typically 65 for salaried applicants and 70 for self-employed. If you already have a property in mind, enter its price so the tool can check it against your maximum eligible loan amount and LTV band.
Step 3: read your results
| Output | What it means |
|---|---|
| Maximum indicative loan | The largest amount you could typically borrow given your DBR |
| Estimated monthly instalment | Principal and profit/interest at the indicative rate used |
| Suggested LTV band | Based on property value, residency status, and whether it's a first home |
Step 4: turn your estimate into an offer
The calculator gives an indicative figure only; actual approval depends on your documents and the bank's underwriting. Once you're happy with the numbers, submit a pre-approval request so Lenddoo's advisors can confirm real offers from 18+ banks.
A worked walkthrough
Enter AED 28,000 gross monthly income and AED 2,000 existing car loan repayment. The tool caps total debt at 50% of income (AED 14,000), leaves AED 12,000 available for a mortgage instalment, and translates that into an indicative maximum loan over your chosen term, factoring in the term and age-at-maturity limits automatically so you don't need to calculate it by hand.
Mistakes people make with this tool
- Entering net (take-home) income instead of gross, which understates borrowing capacity
- Forgetting to include a car loan or credit card balance, which overstates it
- Treating the output as a guaranteed approval rather than an indicative starting point
- Not rerunning the calculator after a salary change or new liability
Where to go from here
If your numbers look tight, read mortgage affordability in the UAE for ways to improve your position, such as paying down short-term debt before applying, then move to a full pre-approval comparison.
Run the numbers on your own case
Free Lenddoo tools and guides related to this article.
Last reviewed 14 June 2026