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DTI Ratio Explained

Learn why Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio matters for your borrowing power and home loan approval.

Updated Jan 2026

DTI Explained: Why Debt-to-Income Ratio Matters for Borrowing Power

DTI (Debt-to-Income) is:

DTI = total debt ÷ gross annual income

A high DTI can limit lender options even if repayments look affordable.

Check your estimate:


Practical ways to reduce DTI

  • Increase deposit (borrow less)
  • Reduce other debts
  • Reduce credit card limits
  • Improve income stability over time

FAQ

Is DTI the same as serviceability?

No. Serviceability is repayment capacity under assessment rules. DTI is a ratio used as a risk signal.