These figures give you a starting point based on basic Agenda for Change salaries. The real figure, once enhancement pay and regular overtime are added, could be significantly higher.
The figures below are based on the midpoint of each Agenda for Change band for 2024/25 in England. Borrowing figures are indicative only, based on a standard 4.5x income multiplier. The actual figure a lender will offer depends on your individual circumstances, outgoings, credit profile and which lender we match you to. Enhancement pay and regular bank shifts are not included in these base figures and for many NHS workers, those additions make a very significant difference.
| AFC Band | Typical Role Examples | Midpoint Salary | Indicative Borrowing (4.5x) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | Healthcare Assistant, Domestic, Porter | £23,615 | Up to £106,267 |
| Band 3 | Senior HCA, Medical Secretary, Administrator | £25,147 | Up to £113,161 |
| Band 4 | Assistant Practitioner, Team Administrator | £27,269 | Up to £122,710 |
| Band 5 | Staff Nurse, Newly Qualified AHP, Paramedic | £30,615 | Up to £137,767 |
| Band 6 | Senior Nurse, Senior Physiotherapist, Senior Paramedic | £37,338 | Up to £168,021 |
| Band 7 | Nurse Manager, Advanced Practitioner, Team Lead | £46,148 | Up to £207,666 |
| Band 8a | Lead AHP, Senior Manager, Specialist Consultant | £56,388 | Up to £253,746 |
| Band 8b | Head of Service, Consultant Practitioner | £66,718 | Up to £300,231 |
| Band 8c/d | Director, Deputy CEO, Chief of Service | £82,000+ | Up to £369,000+ |
These figures are based on basic salary only. For many NHS workers, regular enhancements and bank shifts add thousands to their usable income. A Band 5 nurse working regular nights and weekends could be working with a substantially higher figure than shown above. We will calculate your actual position accurately before any application is submitted.
Lenders look at your committed outgoings as well as your income. Credit card balances, car finance, loans and other financial commitments all reduce your maximum borrowing. Reducing these before applying can make a meaningful difference.
A clean credit file with a history of responsible borrowing will give you access to the widest range of lenders and the most competitive rates. Any adverse markers will narrow the field but rarely rule it out entirely.
The larger your deposit relative to the purchase price, the lower your loan to value ratio and the better the rates you will qualify for. Even moving from 10% to 15% deposit can open up meaningfully better deals.
Substantive employment, bank only contracts, locum work and fixed term contracts are all treated differently. We will identify which lenders are right for your specific employment arrangement.
"I looked at the band salary tables online and was disheartened at what I thought I could borrow. When Elaine looked at my actual payslips and included my enhancement pay, the real figure was nearly forty thousand pounds higher. That changed everything for me."
We will calculate your accurate figure in your first free call. 🐧
Elaine was amazing throughout our whole mortgage experience. Any time we had questions, she would message us back immediately and put our minds at rest. She was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects and knew the answer for all of our worries and questions. Elaine was very personable throughout our experience and was very happy for us when everything was approved. I would highly recommend Elaine.
28 July 2026
I cannot thank Elaine enough for all the work they have put in to help me with my first time buying a property. They took a lot of the stress off of me by organising the mortgage and solicitors, which was a huge help. Elaine kept me up to date throughout the process and was more than happy to answer any questions I had. Thank you again Elaine.
16 July 2026
I don’t normally write reviews, but Elaine truly deserves this. I first discovered Elaine on TikTok, where she shared that NHS bank work could be a positive factor in a mortgage application. That video changed my mindset and made me believe that owning my own home was possible. I reached out to Elaine, and from day one she was kind, patient, approachable, and genuinely supportive. She guided me through every step of the mortgage process, explained everything clearly, and worked hard to secure my mortgage offer. What makes Elaine special is that her support didn’t stop after the offer was received. She continued to check in, provide advice, and go the extra mile. She truly cares about her clients and wants to see them succeed. I am grateful for the role she has played in helping me move closer to achieving my dream of owning a home. If you are looking for a mortgage broker who is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and genuinely cares, I highly recommend Elaine.
16 July 2026
We cannot thank Elaine Buck at Penguin Mortgages enough for the outstanding support, dedication and expertise she showed throughout our remortgage journey. As two NHS staff members, we knew our situation was not the simplest case. After having difficulties with other mortgage advisors previously and feeling like our circumstances were not fully understood, we were unsure whether we would be able to achieve the outcome we had been working towards. Finding Elaine and Penguin Mortgages was a turning point. Penguin’s specialist knowledge of NHS staff and the complexities around NHS income, payslips, enhancements and the way NHS employees are paid made such a difference. Elaine genuinely understood our circumstances and knew how to approach our case in a way that other advisors had not been able to. From the very beginning, Elaine was exceptional. She took the time to listen, understand every detail of our situation, and explain everything clearly. Mortgage processes can be overwhelming, but Elaine has an incredible ability to break down complicated information and make it easy to understand, giving us confidence every step of the way. She was patient, professional, approachable and always available to answer our questions. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble. Elaine kept us updated, guided us through each stage, and made what could have been a very stressful experience feel seamless and manageable. Most importantly, Elaine went above and beyond. She didn’t just find us a mortgage solution — she fought to secure the result we had been hoping for despite our challenging circumstances. After previous setbacks, she achieved what others could not, and we are incredibly grateful for her commitment, knowledge and determination. We honestly could not recommend Elaine and Penguin Mortgages highly enough. If you are NHS staff and looking for a mortgage advisor who truly understands your situation, listens to you and genuinely cares about getting the best outcome, Elaine is the person you want on your side. Thank you so much, Elaine — your support has meant more than you know. 💙
27 June 2026
I had an excellent experience working with Elaine at Penguin Mortgages. She is always happy to help and took the time to answer every question thoroughly and clearly. Her advice was detailed, professional, and made the whole process much easier to understand. They were also incredibly friendly and quick to respond. I really appreciated their support and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for reliable and knowledgeable mortgage advice.
22 May 2026