Buying guide
NZ debt to income ratios: The essential guide
Everything you need to know about the new DTI rules

AI summary
From July 1, 2024, new Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratios from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) will limit bank lending. Owner-occupiers can borrow up to six times their gross income, while investors can borrow up to seven times.
The immediate market impact is expected to be minimal, but the rules aim to moderate future property booms. Banks can still allocate 20% of lending to high-DTI borrowers, and key exemptions include Kāinga Ora loans and new builds.
NZ Debt to income ratios explained
The new DTI rules mean:
Annual income x DTI Ratio - Maximum borrowing
Exemptions to the DTIs
Why did the Reserve Bank introduce DTIs?
DTIs won't affect most buyers until the next upturn.
How could DTIs affect the property market?
Why DTis won’t affect prices right away
DTIs won’t affect every market the same
DTIs may moderate prices during a boom
DTIs will affect borrowers differently
Stuff you need to know about NZ debt to income ratios
Non bank lenders don’t have to adhere to DTI rules
You may be able to still get a mortgage from banks with a high DTI
Got a high DTI? There are ways to improve it.
You can improve your DTI
Examples of NZ DTIs
Let’s say you want to buy a home
Now, let’s say you want to increase your home loan
Author
Discover More

The five places where first-home buyers are winning the most
The five regions where first-home buyers are buying the biggest share of homes in New Zealand.

From an empty paddock at the end of a gravel road, they built an off-grid haven – complete with a Love Bus
A bare paddock became an award-winning off-grid escape with tiny homes, a Love Bus and coastal views.

-fotor-2024090212128.jpg)


