What exactly is the criteria for "mortgage stress"? My repayments are about $20k a year, and im on 55k pre tax, which i am assuming will put me in this criteria. If you can live within your means its very do-able, and i have a mrs and 2 kids. Where people will get into trouble is all the other debt they have on top, that was used to fund a higher lifestyle than they could reasonably afford. Its the one with car loans and personal loans on top of a mortgage that will most probably be in trouble...