The Kivo Score is a number from 1–100 that shows how mortgage-ready you are right now. It's built on four pillars — the same factors lenders actually use — and comes with a clear action plan to improve it.
Ask Claude anything about your mortgage readiness — what-if questions, or what to focus on next.
Each band comes with a clear picture of where you stand and what to do next.
You have some significant barriers to a mortgage right now — but that's exactly what Kivo is for. We'll give you a detailed plan with the highest-impact actions to take first.
You're on the right track and a few targeted changes could move you forward quickly. Lenders may still consider you, but your options and rates could be significantly better with a higher score.
You're in a solid position and may qualify for a good range of mortgage products right now. A few small improvements could push you into the top tier and unlock the best rates.
You're in an excellent position. You're likely to qualify for a wide range of products including the best rates available. Now's a great time to speak to an advisor and start your application.
Each pillar represents a key dimension that lenders assess. We weight them based on their real impact on mortgage eligibility.
This pillar measures how much you earn relative to what you want to borrow. Lenders typically offer 4–4.5× your annual income as standard, with many now offering 5–5.5× for strong applicants — especially first-time buyers on enhanced schemes.
Based on a £35,000 salary and a £150,000 target, your income-to-loan ratio is 4.3× — within standard lending criteria.
An 8% deposit gives you some options, but getting to 10% would significantly broaden the range of products and rates available to you.
The bigger your deposit as a percentage of the property value (your LTV), the better the rates you can access — and the lower your monthly repayments. A 10% deposit is a key threshold.
Your credit history is one of the first things lenders check. Missed payments, CCJs, or high credit utilisation can seriously impact your eligibility — even for good earners.
No missed payments and low credit utilisation. This is one of your strongest areas — lenders will view this very favourably.
We've flagged some regular subscription costs that could be reduced. Cutting £80–100/month in discretionary spending could boost this pillar by up to 8 points.
Lenders look at your spending patterns — not just your income. Gambling transactions, excessive subscriptions, or overdraft usage can be red flags. Connecting your bank gives us the most accurate picture.
These are the actions that consistently move people's scores the most. Your personalised plan will prioritise these based on your specific situation.