what is the gross debt service ratio 
the gross debt service gds ratio is a debt service measure that financial lenders use to assess the proportion of housing debt that a borrower is paying in comparison to their income the gross debt service ratio is one of several metrics used to qualify borrowers for a mortgage loan and determine the amount of principal offered the gross debt service ratio may also be referred to as the housing expense ratio or the front end ratio generally borrowers should strive for a gross debt service ratio of 28 or less 1