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CMHC MLI Select / Standard Max Loan Calculator

Calculate your maximum loan amount for multi-family properties. Compare MLI Select vs Standard programs and see which option gives you the best terms.

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AI Document Analysis

Upload your appraisal, rent roll, or financials for instant extraction

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Find Your Max Loan

See exactly how much CMHC will insure based on your deal

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Connect With Experts

Our CMHC financing specialists help you close your deal

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Upload documents for AI analysis or enter details manually.

Understanding Your Options

CMHC MLI Select vs MLI Standard

CMHC offers two mortgage loan insurance programs for multi-unit residential properties. Understanding the differences is key to maximizing your financing.

CMHC MLI Select

MLI Select is CMHC's enhanced insurance program that rewards property owners who commit to social outcomes like affordability, energy efficiency, or accessibility. It offers significantly better terms in exchange for these commitments.

Learn about MLI Select

Up to 95% LTV with 100+ points — significantly less equity required

Up to 50-year amortization, maximizing cash flow

30% insurance premium discount, saving thousands

Limited recourse — personal liability is capped

Lower DCR requirement of 1.10 vs 1.20 standard

CMHC MLI Standard

CMHC's Multi-Unit Mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Standard program provides mortgage insurance for residential properties with 5 or more units. It allows lenders to offer competitive rates and longer amortizations while reducing their risk exposure.

Learn about MLI Standard

Up to 85% loan-to-value for purchases and refinances

Amortization up to 40 years, reducing monthly payments

Available for standard rental, student housing, seniors, and SRO properties

No special commitments required beyond standard underwriting

DCR requirement of 1.20 for properties with 7+ units

Criteria effective July 14, 2025. Source: CMHC

Who Qualifies for CMHC Multi-Unit Insurance?

Standard Rental Apartments

Properties with 5 or more residential units

Student Housing

Purpose-built student residences near campuses

Seniors Residences

Retirement and assisted living facilities

SRO & Supportive Housing

Single room occupancy and social housing

New Construction

Ground-up multi-unit development projects

Refinances & Renewals

Existing multi-unit mortgage refinancing

How MLI Select Points Work

Affordability

Rent units below 30% of area median income

Energy Efficiency

Meet energy performance standards

Accessibility

Barrier-free and universal design

Minimum 50 Points

Required to qualify for MLI Select

100+ Points

Best terms: 95% LTV, 50-year amortization

30% Premium Discount

On insurance premiums vs Standard

Why Use CMHC Insurance?

Lower Interest Rates

50-150 bps below conventional commercial rates

Higher Leverage

Up to 85-95% LTV vs 65-75% conventional

Longer Amortization

Up to 40-50 years, improving cash flow

Scale Faster

Less equity per deal, more capital deployed

Reduced Lender Risk

Insurance enables better terms from lenders

Competitive Advantage

Better terms than conventional commercial mortgages

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FAQ

CMHC MLI Calculator FAQ

Common questions about our CMHC multi-unit mortgage calculator and the MLI Select program.

Calculator & Results

This calculator provides estimates based on publicly available CMHC guidelines and general underwriting criteria. Actual loan amounts, rates, premiums, and qualification results may differ based on lender-specific policies, current market conditions, property appraisals, and CMHC's own underwriting review. Results should be used as a starting point for planning purposes only — not as a guarantee of financing.
No. This calculator is an educational tool designed to give you a general idea of potential CMHC financing scenarios. You should always consult with a qualified mortgage professional before making any financial decisions. Actual qualification depends on many factors not captured by this calculator, including credit history, net worth, borrower experience, and CMHC's discretionary underwriting judgment.
For the most accurate analysis, upload your property appraisal, rent roll, and operating statement or financial summary. The AI will extract key metrics from these documents. If you don't have documents ready, you can use the manual input option to enter property details yourself.
Documents are temporarily processed for analysis and are deleted from our servers immediately after extraction. They are not stored, sold, or shared with any third parties. Your uploaded documents are sent to the LendCity team via email for review, but are not retained on any server.

CMHC MLI Select

MLI Select is CMHC's enhanced mortgage loan insurance program that provides better financing terms — including up to 95% LTV, 50-year amortization, and a 30% premium discount — in exchange for commitments to affordability, energy efficiency, or accessibility. You need at least 50 points across these categories to qualify.
Points are earned across three categories: Affordability (renting units below median income thresholds), Energy Efficiency (meeting or exceeding energy performance standards), and Accessibility (providing barrier-free or universally designed units). The more units you commit, the more points you earn. A minimum of 50 points is required, with the best terms available at 100+ points.
Not necessarily. MLI Select offers better leverage and terms, but requires specific social-good commitments that may not suit every project. If you don't plan to offer affordable rents, energy upgrades, or accessibility features, MLI Standard may be more appropriate. The calculator compares both programs side-by-side so you can evaluate the trade-offs.

CMHC MLI Standard

MLI Standard is CMHC's traditional multi-unit mortgage loan insurance program. It provides insurance for residential properties with 5 or more units, allowing lenders to offer up to 85% LTV and 40-year amortizations at competitive interest rates. No special social commitments are required beyond standard underwriting criteria.
For MLI Standard, the minimum DCR varies by property type and size. Standard rental properties with 6 or fewer units require a 1.10 DCR, while properties with 7 or more units require 1.20. Student housing and seniors residences have higher requirements. MLI Select requires only 1.10 DCR regardless of unit count.
Yes. Both MLI Standard and MLI Select are available for refinances, not just purchases. This can be a powerful tool for pulling equity out of stabilized multi-family properties to reinvest in additional acquisitions.

Disclaimers & Legal

No. LendCity Mortgages is an independent mortgage brokerage. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation). CMHC guidelines referenced in this calculator are based on publicly available information and may change without notice.
No. Interest rates, insurance premiums, and all financial figures displayed are estimates for illustrative purposes only. Actual rates are determined by your lender at the time of commitment and may differ from what is shown. Premium rates are based on CMHC's published schedules but may vary based on specific deal characteristics.
While we strive for accuracy, this calculator may contain errors, use outdated criteria, or fail to account for all relevant factors. LendCity Mortgages accepts no liability for decisions made based on calculator results. Always verify all figures with a qualified mortgage professional and directly with CMHC before proceeding with any financing.

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