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.

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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.

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What does the Affordability Stress-Test Visualizer do?As of September 2026The Affordability Stress-Test Visualizer compares contract housing cost to the B-20 qualifying payment — the greater of contract rate + 2% or the 5.25% floor — then checks GDS and TDS against 32% / 40% caps so you can see if a purchase still qualifies before you write an offer.

Qual floor: 5.25%
Buffer: +2.00%
GDS cap: 32%
TDS cap: 40%

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% — over caps

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

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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.

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Contact Information

Direct Line

+1 (226) 783-1640

Strategy team

scott@lendcity.ca

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Windsor, ON N8Y 1H8

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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)

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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 .

Affordability Stress-Test VisualizerAffordability Stress-Test Visualizer