Does rental income from an ADU help me qualify for a mortgage?

Rental income from an ADU can help a buyer qualify for a mortgage in some cases, though a lender needs to confirm the ADU is legally permitted and typically credits only a portion of projected or actual rent toward the buyer's income. Treatment varies by loan program and lender rather than following one fixed rule. Joel Boss checks a property's ADU permitting status with a buyer's lender before counting on that income in a qualifying calculation.