It may be possible to get a mortgage on a £20,000 salary, but borrowing capacity will be limited. Many lenders use income multiples between three, four and 4.5 times salary, which could suggest borrowing around £80,000 to £90,000, subject to affordability checks.
Lenders will assess monthly commitments such as loans, credit cards and household spending. Stress testing is also applied to ensure repayments remain affordable if interest rates increase. A larger deposit can improve available options and interest rates.
In some areas, this income level may support a purchase, particularly with a 10% deposit or a joint application.
An Agreement in Principle is a useful first step to understand what may realistically be achievable.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.