How is the stress-test qualifying rate determined in Canada?

Under OSFI B-20 guidelines, lenders qualify mortgage borrowers at the higher of their contract mortgage rate plus 2.00% or the Bank of Canada qualifying floor of 5.25%.

What are the standard GDS and TDS ratio limits?

Standard limits are 39% Gross Debt Service (GDS) for housing costs (mortgage payment, property taxes, heating, and 50% of condo fees) and 44% Total Debt Service (TDS) including all other debt obligations.

How does the live Bank of Canada yield tracker relate to mortgage rates?

Government of Canada 5-year benchmark bond yields directly influence 5-year fixed mortgage rates. When bond yields move, fixed mortgage pricing from lenders usually follows within days.

Investor Tools · Qualify4,7/5 (130 avis Google)

Affordability Stress-Test Visualizer

Slide income, price, down payment, and rates to see contract housing cost next to the B-20 stress payment, with GDS/TDS caps, a shareable link, and a PNG you can send your partner or broker.

Réserver un appel stratégique Postuler en ligne

Your scenario

Gross household income (annual)$140,000Non-housing debts (monthly)$600Home price$650,000Down payment20%Contract rate4.89%Amortization30 yrs

Qualifying rate: greater of contract + 2% or 5.25% = 6.89%. Housing cost adds property tax (~0.8%/yr) + $150 heat.

Contract vs stress test

Contract payment (P&I)

$2,741/mo

GDS 28.5% · TDS 33.6% — inside caps

Stress payment (P&I)

$3,388/mo

GDS 34.0% · TDS 39.2% — inside caps

Estimate only — lender qualification, rental offsets, and program rules differ. Cross-check with the mortgage payment calculator and live BoC tracker below.

The stress test is one input. A specialist can tell you which lenders and programs fit your file.

Book a call — see what you'd actually qualify for

4,7/5 (130 avis Google)

LendCity™ Mortgages

Investment Financing Specialists

Ready to take the next step?

This Affordability Stress-Test is just the beginning. Our team of specialists is ready to help you structure your next deal for maximum growth and cash flow.

Book Strategy Call

Contact Information

Direct Line

+1 (226) 783-1640

Strategy team

scott@lendcity.ca

Office Location

4769 Wyandotte St E
Windsor, ON N8Y 1H8

Online

lendcity.ca

Live · Bank of Canada

BoC Rate Tracker

Live Government of Canada benchmark yields from the Bank of Canada — the 5-year yield is the anchor behind 5-year fixed mortgage rates.

Source: Bank of Canada Valet API (GoC benchmark bond yields)

Loading live Bank of Canada yields…

Yields move daily; lender fixed rates follow with a lag. Pair this with the stress-test visualizer above and the mortgage payment calculator.

Alerts

Rate alerts, minus the noise

One email when a Bank of Canada move or yield shift actually matters for your scenario above. Pairs with the mortgage payment calculator and the 5-question investor quiz .