Buy-to-Let in the UK Without a Deposit: Your Guide

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A full purchase price mortgage allows you to borrow the entire amount needed to buy a property. For example, if the property is priced at £250,000, your mortgage would match this amount at £250,000. This type of mortgage is commonly known as a no-deposit mortgage or a 100% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage, emphasizing that the loan covers the entire property value.

However, qualifying for a mortgage without a deposit is contingent on meeting specific criteria set by the lender. To be eligible, you must satisfy the lender’s affordability requirements and adhere to their eligibility criteria. This underscores the importance of aligning your financial situation with the lender’s standards to secure approval for a mortgage without the need for a deposit.

Do you need a deposit to get a mortgage?

No, that’s not necessary. One UK Building Society offers mortgages without requiring a deposit or any guarantor or family support, specifically designed to assist renters in stepping onto the property ladder. Here are the key details:

This mortgage option is open to individuals who haven’t owned a property in the last three years and have a clean credit history. To qualify, you must provide evidence of making timely rental payments for at least 12 consecutive months within the last 18 months.

The loan allows you to borrow up to 4.49 times your salary, with the maximum property value capped at £600,000. For instance, if your annual salary is £30,000, the maximum borrowing amount would be £30,000 x 4.49 = £134,700. The mortgage term extends up to 35 years, representing the time required to pay off the mortgage in full without any missed payments.

While this 100% mortgage option offers an opportunity for certain renters to overcome barriers to homeownership, it’s crucial to approach it with caution. Seeking professional advice before applying is recommended due to the inherent risks associated with 100% mortgages. Alternatives like family support mortgages and government schemes should also be considered.

Consulting with a mortgage broker can provide valuable insights into whether a no-deposit mortgage aligns with your financial goals or if alternative options might be more suitable for your circumstances.

Can you get a no-deposit buy-to-let mortgage?

No, it’s not usually feasible. The requirements for buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages are typically more stringent than those for residential loans. Getting approval without a substantial cash reserve, usually at least a 20% deposit, is challenging. Most lenders prefer a 25% deposit for buy-to-let properties, with only a few accepting as low as 15%. Professional landlords often release equity from their existing properties to meet these deposit requirements.

What are the pros and cons?

Pros:

Tailored for individuals with a minimum 12-month renting history.
No mandatory deposit, though you can contribute up to 5% if available.
Fixed mortgage payments for 5 years, providing stability in monthly payments.

Cons:

Potential for a higher interest rate due to the absence of a deposit.
Increased fees due to the intricacies of a no-deposit mortgage application.
Risk of lacking a deposit to offset negative equity if the property value drops.
Limited choice as only one mortgage lender (a building society) offers zero deposit mortgages.

What are the alternative options?

Consider exploring alternative options if you find this product unsuitable for your circumstances. Depending on your situation, you may want to investigate one of the following alternatives:

Guarantor Mortgages

Certain lenders offer 100% mortgages with the support of a guarantor. In this arrangement, a guarantor—typically a parent, family member, or friend—commits to shouldering some of the risks associated with the mortgage, ensuring repayments in case you’re unable to meet them.

The mechanism involves securing the loan against a property in the guarantor’s possession, leveraging their equity, or placing a portion of their savings in a dedicated account. In a specific type known as a family springboard mortgage, the guarantor may also enjoy favorable interest rates on the reserved funds.

It’s worth noting that accessing these mortgages can be challenging if you lack personal deposit funds. Lenders such as Generation Home, Scottish Building Society, Swansea, and Vernon Building Society are among those considering guarantor arrangements.

Gifted Deposit

A gifted deposit refers to a deposit funded wholly or partially by a cash gift, often from a family member or friend.

Certain lenders, including Aldermore, Furness, Metro Bank, and TSB, provide 100% mortgages when the deposit comes from a family-gifted source. In some cases, lenders may also consider deposits contributed as gifts from other parties. This includes vendor gifts, where a seller offers a property to a buyer at a discounted price, typically for a swift and efficient sale.

Utilizing Equity from Another Property

If you possess sufficient equity in another property, you may consider tapping into it to generate funds for a deposit on a subsequent purchase. To understand the intricacies of this process, refer to information on remortgaging for a second property.

Using a Personal Loan

While personal loans are generally not regarded as a conventional method for raising a deposit, a majority of lenders frown upon this strategy. The disapproval is partly due to its impact on affordability and largely because it signals a higher risk from the borrower. Nonetheless, there are a few lenders that may still consider unsecured loans, albeit with the caveat that it adds an extra layer of debt on top of your mortgage.

Utilizing Credit Cards

Credit cards are typically seen in a similar light as loans, and they are generally not suitable for covering the entire deposit. However, if it doesn’t significantly affect your mortgage affordability, there might be a chance (though not guaranteed) to use credit cards to supplement a cash deposit, extending the reach of your savings.

Government schemes

Government Schemes for Homebuyers

The government offers four schemes that could be advantageous for you:

Shared Ownership

Borrowers own a ‘share’ of the property and pay reduced rent on the remaining portion.
This leads to a smaller mortgage and, consequently, a lower deposit.
The table below illustrates how opting for a Shared Ownership mortgage could decrease the required deposit for a property valued at £150,000, based on the share of the property you own.

Mortgage Type	Property Share	Deposit Required
Standard	100%	£15,000
Shared Ownership	75%	£11,250
Shared Ownership	50%	£7,500
Shared Ownership	25%	£3,750

Right to Buy Scheme

Social housing tenants meeting eligibility criteria can buy their council home at a discounted or even no deposit, depending on specific circumstances. Certain lenders permit applicants to use their discount as the deposit. Consulting with a specialist broker, especially given the available lenders like Nationwide, Barclays, Santander, and Halifax, is advisable to navigate the options effectively.

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

Enabling homebuyers to make a purchase with a 5% deposit, the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme involves the government sharing the risk with the mortgage lender in case of property repossession. Some lenders, such as HSBC, Virgin Money, Natwest, and Barclays, are still accepting applicants until the scheme concludes on December 31, 2023.

Lifetime ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts)

Designed for individuals aged 18-39, Lifetime ISAs serve as savings accounts to accumulate funds for a first home deposit. The government provides a 25% tax-free bonus for each year the account is held, facilitating a potentially quicker saving process for the deposit.

Who can get a buy-to-let mortgage?

If you’re considering renting out your property, securing a buy-to-let mortgage is essential. Due to the perceived higher risk, eligibility for such mortgages is subject to specific conditions, which can vary among lenders. These conditions may include:

Homeownership Requirement:

– While not universal, some lenders may require you to already own a property, whether outright or with an outstanding mortgage.

Good Credit Record:

– Maintaining a positive credit record and avoiding excessive borrowings, such as high credit card balances, is often a condition.

Income Verification:

– Providing evidence of employment income or earnings from self-employment, separate from rental earnings, is a common requirement. Typically, an annual income of £25,000 or more may be necessary.