Calculate your GDS and TDS ratios the way lenders do, counting housing costs, half your strata fees, and credit cards at 3% of balance, then see your headroom before the 39/44 caps.
Frequently asked questions
What are GDS and TDS?
Gross debt service is the share of your income going to housing: mortgage payment, property tax, heat and half of any strata fee. Total debt service adds every other debt payment on top. Lenders cap these near 39% and 44% on insured files.
My ratios are over the limit. Is that the end?
No. A longer amortization, paying off a card, adding a co-borrower, or a lender with softer caps can each bring a file onside. Which one fits depends on the details, and that’s a ten-minute conversation.
Why does this calculator use the stress-test rate?
Because lenders do. You qualify at the higher of your contract rate plus 2% or the benchmark, which works out to 6.24% on today’s best insured five-year. Your real payment stays at your contract rate; qualifying just pretends rates are higher.