Is there an AI tool to check my debt-to-income ratio for Canadian loans?

How DTI is calculated

DTI = (Total Monthly Debt Payments ÷ Gross Monthly Income) × 100

Example:

• Gross monthly income: $6,000
• Mortgage payment: $1,800
• Car loan: $400
• Credit card minimums: $200
• Student loan: $150
• Total debt: $2,550 → DTI = 42.5%

Canadian lender DTI thresholds

Mortgage-specific — two ratios apply

• GDS (Gross Debt Service) = (Mortgage + property tax + heat + 50% condo fees) ÷ Income → must be under 39%
• TDS (Total Debt Service) = GDS + all other debts → must be under 44%

How the AI uses your DTI

The AI Loan Advisor inputs your DTI alongside credit range, income, employment, and province to score against each Canadian lender's specific qualification matrix. It then surfaces:

• Lenders most likely to approve at your current DTI
• The rate premium (if any) due to higher DTI
• A "max additional debt" estimate showing how much more you can borrow

Five ways to improve your DTI before applying

1. Pay down credit cards — fastest. Cards count at 3% of balance as monthly payment.
2. Refinance high-rate debt — lower payment = lower DTI even if balance is the same
3. Increase income — side income, raise, or co-borrower
4. Pay off small loans — eliminating a $150 student loan can drop DTI 2%–3%
5. Don't apply for new credit — every new account adds to DTI

Pro tip

Run the DTI Calculator before AND after a hypothetical new loan to see how it changes your ratio. Lenders calculate DTI after the new loan is added — you should too.