DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio)
Category: finance
A measurement of a property’s available cash flow to pay current debt obligations.
DSCR is the "lender’s safety net." Calculated by dividing NOI by the annual mortgage payment. A DSCR of 1.0 means the property breaks exactly even. Lenders typically require a minimum DSCR of 1.20 to 1.25 to approve a commercial loan, ensuring a 20-25% cash cushion.
Common Examples
- The bank rejected the refinancing application because the property’s DSCR fell below the required 1.25 threshold.
- We must increase the rental rates to boost our NOI and restore a healthy DSCR before approaching lenders for the expansion capital.