What is the mortgage stress test?

Lenders must qualify you at a rate higher than the one you will actually pay. For uninsured mortgages the minimum qualifying rate is the greater of your contract rate plus 2%, or 5.25%. It exists so you could still afford your payments if rates rose.

What are GDS and TDS?

Gross Debt Service is the share of your gross income taken by housing costs — mortgage payment, property tax, heating and half of any condo fees. Total Debt Service adds all your other debt payments. Published insured maximums are 39% GDS and 44% TDS.

No. Lenders differ in how they treat income types, existing debts and property. This is an estimate to plan with — a broker can confirm what a specific lender will actually do.

Mortgage Affordability & Stress Test Calculator

Work out the maximum price you can qualify for using the same debt-service ratios and stress-test rate a Canadian lender applies — and see which number is actually holding you back.

Gross annual household income

Down payment available

Mortgage rate you have been offered

Monthly payments on other debts

Province

Lender scenario

CMHC published maximums for high-ratio insured deals. The starting point for most first-time buyers.

GDS 39% · TDS 44% · max 30 years · max LTV 95%

39 / 44 per CMHC. Some insurers flex to 42 / 44 on strong credit.

Maximum purchase price

$709,428

Based on a 6.49% stress-test rate (your rate plus the 2% buffer), a $120,000 down payment and a 25-year amortization.

InsuredHigh ratioBest available rates

Under 20% down, so this is a high-ratio deal requiring mortgage default insurance. The premium is added to the mortgage, and insured deals get the best rates available.

Loan-to-value 83.1% · qualified under Insured (default). Contract rate plus the 2.00% stress-test buffer.

Maximum mortgage: $605,932
Payment at your actual rate: $3,350.30
GDS at your maximum: 39.0%
TDS at your maximum: 43.3%

What is limiting you: Housing costs (GDS)

Your gross debt service ratio is the binding constraint — housing costs alone reach the limit before your other debts do.

With less than 20% down, a $16,503.98 mortgage default insurance premium is added to your mortgage. That premium is included in the debt-service ratios above, which is why it lowers your maximum price.

What each ratio alone would allow

Housing costs only (GDS)$605,929

Including your other debts (TDS)$618,382

Your actual maximum mortgage$605,932

This is an estimate, not a pre-approval. Lenders differ in how they treat income types, existing debts, property type and credit history, and results can vary meaningfully between them. Clover Mortgage Inc. is a licensed mortgage brokerage. This calculator provides estimates for information only and is not an offer of credit, an approval, or financial advice.

Every mortgage is different. A Clover Mortgage broker can confirm what you actually qualify for across more than 50 lenders — at no cost to you.

All calculators

Maximum purchase price

$709,428

Common questions

What is the mortgage stress test?: Lenders must qualify you at a rate higher than the one you will actually pay. For uninsured mortgages the minimum qualifying rate is the greater of your contract rate plus 2%, or 5.25%. It exists so you could still afford your payments if rates rose.
What are GDS and TDS?: Gross Debt Service is the share of your gross income taken by housing costs — mortgage payment, property tax, heating and half of any condo fees. Total Debt Service adds all your other debt payments. Published insured maximums are 39% GDS and 44% TDS.
Is this an approval?: No. Lenders differ in how they treat income types, existing debts and property. This is an estimate to plan with — a broker can confirm what a specific lender will actually do.