# What creditworthiness and debt service requirements are required for CMHC-insured mortgages?

> At least one borrower (or guarantor) must have a minimum credit score of 600 to qualify.

Category: Purchasing
Last verified: 2026-02-18
Source: https://ratellow.com/faqs/purchasing/what-creditworthiness-and-debt-service-requirements-are-required-for-cmhc-insured-mortgages

## Answer
At least one borrower (or guarantor) must have a minimum credit score of 600 to qualify. Also, the Gross Debt Service (GDS) ratio must not exceed 39%, and the Total Debt Service (TDS) ratio must not exceed 44%. These requirements assess the borrower's ability to manage debt.

## Institutional highlights
- If you don't have a long credit history, there may still be ways to prove you're able to handle a mortgage.
- Your mortgage affordability will be calculated using the higher of your actual interest rate plus 2%, or 5.25% - this is to make sure you can still afford your payments if interest rates go up.
- Lenders will carefully check your ability to repay your mortgage and verify your information.
- Lenders need to have clear processes for determining the value of the property you want to buy.
- Lenders are expected to follow careful lending practices to ensure the mortgage market remains stable.

## Related guide
- https://ratellow.com/guides/insured-mortgage-advantage

## Sources
- Page 2 — https://assets.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/sf/project/cmhc/pdfs/factsheets/new/cmhc-quick-reference.pdf#page=2
- Mortgage insurance — https://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/en/guidance/guidance-library/residential-mortgage-underwriting-practices-procedures-guideline-2017#2.5.1
- Page 3 — https://assets.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/sf/project/cmhc/pdfs/factsheets/new/cmhc-quick-reference.pdf#page=3
- Footnotes — https://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/en/guidance/guidance-library/capital-adequacy-requirements-car-guideline-2026