The dream of home ownership feels increasingly distant for many renters, with the average house deposit in the UK now exceeding £50,000 in many areas. However, a growing number of no deposit house for sale opportunities are emerging across the property market, offering genuine pathways onto the property ladder without requiring massive savings.
These innovative mortgage products and purchase schemes enable first-time buyers to secure their first home through alternative arrangements whether that’s proving a strong track record of rental payments, enlisting family support, or taking advantage of developer assistance programs.
While traditional lenders typically require a 5–20% deposit, specialist products now allow eligible buyers to purchase properties worth up to £600,000 with zero upfront cash contribution.
This comprehensive guide explores every aspect of buying property without a deposit in 2026, from specific mortgage products available right now to the step-by-step purchase process. We’ll examine real mortgage options, regional availability, and the important risks every potential buyer should understand before committing to a no-deposit mortgage.
No Deposit Houses Available Right Now
The no-deposit mortgage market continues to evolve in 2026, with several lenders offering genuine pathways to home ownership without traditional deposits. These aren’t promotional gimmicks they are real mortgage products with defined eligibility criteria.
Skipton Building Society – Track Record Mortgage
The most widely recognised no deposit mortgage currently available remains the Track Record Mortgage from Skipton Building Society.
This product allows renters to purchase a property with 100% loan-to-value financing by demonstrating a consistent history of rental payments.
Key features in 2026 include:
• Five-year fixed rate starting from approximately 5.37%
• Maximum property value £600,000
• Available to renters who can demonstrate 12 months of rental payments within the last 18 months
• No deposit required
• Borrowing typically up to 4.49 times income
Applicants must not have owned a property in the UK in the previous three years and must demonstrate a strong recent credit history.
April Mortgages – Long-Term Fixed No Deposit Mortgage
Another option comes from April Mortgages, which introduced a 100% loan-to-value mortgage aimed at buyers who cannot save a traditional deposit.
Unlike many standard mortgages, April Mortgages focuses on long-term fixed rate products, often fixed for 10 or 15 years.
Typical features include:
• 100% loan-to-value mortgages available
• Fixed rates starting around 5.99% depending on product structure
• Minimum household income generally £24,000
• Borrowing up to 4.49x income
• No early repayment charges when moving home
This mortgage is designed for buyers with stable income and strong affordability but without family support for a deposit.
Gable Mortgages – Zero Deposit Lending
Gable Mortgages entered the UK mortgage market offering 100% loan-to-value products, particularly aimed at buyers purchasing new-build homes and certain professional groups.
Typical features include:
• Five-year fixed rates starting around 5.95–5.99%
• 100% mortgage financing available
• Borrowing up to 4.49x income
• Up to 5x income for key workers and 5.5x income for joint key worker applications
Eligible professions often include NHS staff, teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public sector workers.
Family Guarantor Homes
Family-assisted mortgage options continue to be offered by major UK lenders including:
• Barclays
• Halifax
• Lloyds Bank
These arrangements allow family members to support buyers through savings guarantees or property equity.
For example, the Barclays Family Springboard Mortgage allows a family member to place 10% of the purchase price into a savings account as security, which is typically returned after several years if repayments are maintained.
These products can enable buyers to access properties that would normally require substantial deposits.
Shared ownership
Shared ownership properties require no deposit on the purchased share in many cases. Buyers can purchase 25-75% of a property’s value and pay rent on the remainder, with the initial share often available through 100% mortgage financing, making the effective deposit requirement zero.
New Build Developer Schemes
New build homes from major developers increasingly include deposit assistance schemes as part of their sales strategy.
Developers such as:
• Taylor Wimpey
• Persimmon Homes
• Bellway
often offer incentives including deposit contributions or support schemes that effectively reduce or eliminate the deposit requirement for qualifying buyers to zero.
Where to Find No Deposit Houses for Sale
Searching for properties that can be purchased without a deposit often requires targeting the right platforms.
Major property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla allow buyers to search properties using filters that highlight buying schemes such as shared ownership or developer assistance.
Developer websites also frequently list homes eligible for deposit assistance schemes.
Government supported shared ownership listings are available through regional Help to Buy agents across England, Scotland and Wales.
Local estate agents in areas with strong rental markets can also be useful sources of properties suitable for track-record mortgages.
Working with a Mortgage Broker. Finding the right mortgage product is often the most important step when buying a property without a deposit.
At Step by Step Financial Solutions, we work with a range of lenders that offer alternative routes to home ownership, including:
• Skipton Building Society
• April Mortgages
• Barclays
• Halifax
• Lloyds Bank
Our role as mortgage advisers is to assess your income, credit profile and affordability before identifying lenders whose criteria match your situation.
Because we operate on a whole-of-market basis, we are able to compare mortgage options across many UK lenders rather than being restricted to a single bank. This allows us to evaluate which lenders may consider applications with low or zero deposit options.
More information about our services is available on our website:
Types of No Deposit Property Schemes Available
100% Track Record Mortgages
Track record mortgages represent the most straightforward no deposit route, requiring only proof of consistent rental payments rather than savings or guarantors. Skipton Building Society pioneered this approach with their flagship product offering 5.37% fixed rates on properties up to £600,000.
The track record mortgage application process involves providing 12 months of bank statements showing rental payments alongside employment verification and standard affordability checks. Unlike traditional mortgages where deposit size affects rates, these products offer single rates regardless of property value within the lending limit.
April Mortgages expanded the market with rates from 5.99% and income-only criteria that don’t require rental payment history. Their focus on professional applicants means faster processing for buyers with strong employment records, even if their rental arrangements have been informal.
Gable Mortgages specifically targets key workers with lending up to 5x times annual salary. NHS staff, teachers, police officers, and emergency services personnel can access rates competitive with deposit mortgages, recognizing the employment stability these roles provide.
Family-Assisted Purchase Programs
Family-assisted schemes enable relatives to support a buyer by providing savings as security for the mortgage rather than the buyer needing to provide a traditional deposit.
Barclays Family Springboard requires family members to deposit 10% of the property purchase price into a savings account linked to the mortgage. This money earns interest while serving as security, and is returned after three/ five years if monthly mortgage repayments remain current. The buyer pays interest only on the remaining 90% of the property value, despite borrowing 100% of the purchase price.
Halifax Family Boost mortgages work in a similar way. A family member deposits around 10% of the mortgage amount into a savings account for three years. This money acts as security for the mortgage and is returned with interest once the security period ends.
Lloyds Bank offers the Lend a Hand mortgage, where a relative places savings equivalent to around 10% of the property value into a savings account linked to the mortgage. These funds are typically held for three years and are returned with interest if the borrower maintains their repayments.
Developer Deposit Assistance Schemes
Major house builders now integrate deposit assistance into their sales processes, recognizing that traditional deposit requirements exclude significant portions of their target market.
Taylor Wimpey’s Deposit Top-Up scheme allows buyers to increase their deposit when purchasing selected new-build homes. Buyers provide a minimum 10% deposit and the developer contributes up to an additional 5%, creating a potential 15% total deposit and reducing the mortgage loan-to-value ratio.
Persimmon’s Part Exchange Plus Persimmon’s Part Exchange scheme allows homeowners to sell their existing property directly to the developer when purchasing a new-build home. The builder arranges independent valuations and offers a market-based price, enabling buyers to move without waiting for their property to sell on the open market.
Bellway’s Express Mover Bellway’s Express Mover scheme helps buyers sell their existing property more quickly. The developer works with local estate agents to market the buyer’s home and may cover certain selling costs, helping reduce delays when purchasing a new-build property.
Property Types Eligible for low or no deposit mortgages in the UK
In the UK, low or no deposit mortgages sometimes called 100% mortgages are available only for specific property types and under certain conditions. Here’s a breakdown based on current lender offerings:
Houses vs. Flats
Most zero- or low-deposit products are limited to standard houses rather than flats or apartments. For example, Santander’s 98% “My First Mortgage” excludes flats entirely, focusing on houses priced up to £500,000. Similarly, April Mortgages’ no-deposit product excludes flats and new-builds.
New-builds
Many lenders, including Skipton Building Society and April Mortgages, restrict their 100% mortgages to older properties rather than new-builds. This is often due to the higher perceived risk and lack of established market values for newly constructed homes.
Family-assisted eligibility
Some lenders, like Barclays and Family Building Society, offer zero-deposit options that require a family member to act as a guarantor. This typically involves using the guarantor’s savings or property as collateral, which may expand the types of properties eligible but comes with stricter lending criteria.
Affordability and location restrictions
Even when the property type is eligible, lenders conduct thorough affordability checks. Skipton Building Society, for instance, links borrowing limits to the applicant’s rental payment history. Certain products also exclude properties in Northern Ireland or have regional caps.
Summary
Eligible properties for low or no deposit mortgages in the UK are generally:
- Existing houses (excluding flats and new-builds)
- Properties within standard lending locations (usually excluding some regions)
- Properties where the borrower can demonstrate affordability or where a family guarantor is involved
Lenders may change specific requirements, but these patterns reflect the current offerings from Skipton Building Society, Barclays, Family Building Society, and others.
Eligibility requirements for low or no deposit house purchase mortgages
Zero- or low-deposit mortgages are only available under stricter criteria, as lenders need to ensure borrowers can afford higher loan amounts sustainably. Real products on the UK market focus on affordability, financial history, and proof of reliability, rather than arbitrary income or credit score thresholds.
Proof of Rental Payment (Track Record Mortgages)
Products like Skipton Building Society’s Track Record Mortgage require 12 months of consistent rent payments documented through bank statements or a landlord/agent reference. This demonstrates the borrower’s ability to manage monthly housing costs comparable to mortgage repayments.
Credit History
Lenders require a clean credit record with no missed payments in recent months (typically the past 6 months). This applies to all credit agreements, including loans, credit cards, and overdrafts. Some lenders may have stricter requirements for specialist products.
Income and Affordability
Rather than fixed minimum income figures, lenders assess income relative to the proposed mortgage. Calculations consider monthly repayments versus past rent and other commitments. Products like Skipton’s Track Record Mortgage use a loan-to-income framework to determine eligibility.
Residency and Legal Status
Applicants must have the right to reside in the UK, often demonstrated through settled or pre-settled status. Continuous residence is considered, but policies vary between lenders. First-time buyers may also be prioritized.
Employment and Self-Employment
Stable employment or income is essential. Permanent contracts are preferred, while contract or self-employed applicants may need longer work histories and detailed financial records (e.g., two years of accounts for self-employed borrowers).
Age and Mortgage Term
Applicants typically must be 18 years or older, and lenders evaluate the ability to afford repayments throughout the mortgage term. Maximum ages for completion vary, particularly for longer-term products.
Low-Deposit 98% LTV Mortgages
Products like Santander’s “My First Mortgage” require a minimum £10,000 deposit for first-time buyers and are only available for existing houses, excluding flats and new-build properties. Other conditions may include location restrictions (e.g., not available in Northern Ireland) and caps on property value.
Additional Considerations
Lenders also evaluate total indebtedness, past repayment behaviour, and the overall stability of the applicant’s financial situation. Some products require a family guarantor or additional collateral, depending on the lender.
Costs and Financial Considerations for No‑Deposit or High‑LTV Mortgages
Even if you don’t need a deposit, buying a home still involves a number of specific costs that you should consider.
Mortgage interest and pricing
No deposit or very high‑LTV deals tend to carry higher interest rates than mortgages with a deposit. For example, Skipton Building Society’s 100 % Track Record Mortgage has been offered at around 5.49% on a five‑year fix, which is noticeably above many deals at lower LTV bands. This reflects the added risk to the lender when there’s no initial equity.
Because of higher rates, monthly repayments on a no‑deposit mortgage can be materially higher than on a standard LTV deal. On the same loan amount, the difference spread over years will be significant, sometimes adding thousands in interest over the term compared with lower‑LTV products.
Arrangement and product fees
Many mortgage deals carry an arrangement or product fee. These vary by lender and product, typically from £0 up to £2,000 or more. Some no‑deposit offers have no arrangement fee, but others may charge standard fees and if you add them to the mortgage, you’ll pay interest on them over the lifetime of the loan.
Legal and survey costs
Even with no deposit, you must still pay the legal work (conveyancing) and property checks. Typical solicitor fees for conveyancing range roughly from £800 to £2,200 or more, depending on property price and complexity, and other disbursements (searches, Land Registry fees, etc.) may add a few hundred pounds.
Surveys and valuations are separate. The lender’s valuation may be free with some deals, but if you get your own survey (recommended), costs usually range from around £400 up to £1,500 for a full structural survey, depending on the level of detail and the age/condition of the property.
Stamp Duty / Land Transaction Tax (SDLT/LBTT/LTT)
Stamp Duty still applies normally, even if you didn’t need a deposit. As of 2025/26 in England and Northern Ireland, first‑time buyers pay 0% up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion between £300,001 and £500,000. Over £500,000, standard rates apply. These thresholds matter a lot for overall costs.
Removal and moving costs
Moving expenses vary widely depending on distance and volume, but budgeting around £300–£1,500 is typical for removals and related tasks. Additional costs for storage, packing materials or immediate furnishing should also be considered.
Insurance
Buildings insurance is normally a mortgage condition from day one, regardless of deposit. Premiums vary with build type, location and insurer, but many buyers pay somewhere in the low hundreds per year for a standard policy.
Comparing with rent
In some parts of the country, monthly mortgage payments on high‑LTV deals might be similar to or even higher than rent. This depends a lot on where the property is and what interest rate you secure. Higher mortgage costs underline why it’s important to build a buffer for repayments, especially if interest rates rise.
No deposit mortgages reduce or eliminate the upfront cash you need, but they do not reduce other real costs of buying a home. You still face legal fees, surveys, Stamp Duty, removal costs and possibly higher interest charges. Planning for all these rather than focusing only on getting in with 0 % deposit gives a much clearer picture of what homeownership will actually cost.
Regional Availability and Market Conditions
No‑deposit and high‑LTV mortgages are technically available across the UK, but local property prices, rental markets, and affordability affect how realistic it is for borrowers to get approved. Lenders generally assess each application individually, rather than restricting products to specific regions.
Northern England
Areas like Newcastle, Leeds, and Sheffield offer lower average property prices (£150,000–250,000) compared with the South, and rental yields tend to be relatively high. This means borrowers can often demonstrate affordability more easily, which benefits Track Record or family-assisted mortgage applications. While the Skipton Track Record Mortgage sees a significant share of applications from northern cities, the product itself is available nationwide.
Scotland and Wales
Average house prices are lower than in the South of England, and rental markets are relatively stable. Cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Swansea provide conditions where applicants with a strong rental payment history may find it easier to qualify. Government schemes in Wales (e.g., Help to Buy Wales) can also reduce effective purchase costs, complementing no-deposit financing.
Midlands
Birmingham, Nottingham, and Leicester have moderate property prices and well-established rental markets. These cities support affordability assessments for high-LTV lending, but access is still determined by individual income, credit history, and lender criteria rather than regional policy.
London and the South East
High property prices mean applicants generally need higher incomes to demonstrate affordability. While no-deposit products are technically available, practical access is limited because monthly repayments can be high relative to rental costs. Shared ownership schemes remain an alternative for first-time buyers, but these are separate products from 100% LTV mortgages. Outer London and parts of Essex or Kent may offer properties where monthly repayments are more achievable, depending on the borrower’s financial profile.
Coastal or seasonal employment areas
Some regions like Devon or Cornwall have high proportions of seasonal or tourism-based employment. Lenders do not automatically exclude these areas, but applicants may need to provide evidence of stable, year-round income to support a mortgage application.
Key point
No-deposit mortgages are not regionally restricted, but local property prices and rental yields influence affordability assessments. Lower-cost regions in the North, Scotland, and Wales generally allow more manageable monthly repayments, while the South, especially London, requires higher incomes or alternative schemes like shared ownership to achieve similar access.
Risks and Important Considerations
No-deposit mortgages provide valuable opportunities to access home ownership sooner, but they also involve specific risks that buyers need to understand fully before committing.
Negative Equity Risk
With no initial deposit, borrowers start with zero equity, so even a small decline in property value (5–10%) can lead to negative equity. This can affect both resale and new-build properties. In negative equity, selling or remortgaging becomes challenging, often requiring extra funds to cover any shortfall.
Limited Remortgaging Options
High loan-to-value (LTV) ratios can restrict access to competitive remortgage rates. Most lenders prefer LTVs below 90–95% to offer standard rates. Until equity builds through repayments or property appreciation, borrowers may remain on higher interest rates. Early repayment charges usually apply for the fixed-rate period, which varies by product (commonly 2–5 years).
Higher Monthly Payments
No-deposit products often carry higher interest rates, meaning monthly repayments can exceed equivalent rental costs. This reduces disposable income for living expenses, maintenance, or property improvements. Borrowers must budget carefully to avoid financial strain if interest rates rise or personal circumstances change.
Property and Insurance Considerations
All mortgages require buildings insurance from completion day. While 100% mortgages do not automatically make premiums higher, lenders may require adequate coverage for full property value, and some insurers charge more for maximum LTV loans.
Family Guarantor Risks
Some no-deposit products rely on family guarantors. Guarantors assume legal liability for the mortgage if the borrower defaults, which can affect their own finances or property. Professional legal advice is essential to ensure all parties understand obligations.
Lifestyle and Flexibility
Limited equity can make moving or upgrading difficult in the short term. While it does not block relocation, borrowers with high LTVs may face stricter lending criteria for subsequent purchases, especially if income or circumstances change.
Accessing the Best Products
While buyers can approach lenders directly, using a mortgage broker like Step by Step Financial Solutions offers advantages:
- Access to all lenders and exclusive products
- Guidance on eligibility criteria and property requirements
- Comparison of rates and fees to avoid overpaying
- Support throughout application, valuation, and legal processes
Summary
No-deposit mortgages are a powerful tool for first-time buyers or renters with strong payment histories. Success depends on thorough preparation, realistic affordability assessment, and understanding both short- and long-term implications. Brokers play a key role in helping buyers identify the most suitable products and navigate complex requirements, contact us today.
Sources
Information in this guide was verified using publicly available data from lender websites, industry publications and property platforms including:
Skipton Building Society – Track Record Mortgage product pages
Skipton Building Society | Founded on Fairness
April Mortgages – mortgage product information
Gable Mortgages – zero deposit mortgage information
Gable Mortgages launches 0% deposit five-year deals – Mortgage Strategy
Barclays – Family Springboard Mortgage
Personal banking | Barclays
Halifax – family support mortgage products
Halifax | Mortgages, Bank Accounts, Savings, Loans & Investments
Lloyds Bank – Lend a Hand mortgage information
Lloyds Bank – Personal Banking, Personal Finances & Bank Accounts
Rightmove – UK property listings and buying schemes
Rightmove – UK’s number one property website for properties for sale and to renthttps://www.rightmove.co.uk
Zoopla – property listings and housing data
Zoopla > Search Property to Buy, Rent, House Prices, Estate Agents
UK Government shared ownership guidance
https://www.gov.uk/shared-ownership-scheme
Plus
https://www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/ways-to-buy/deposit-top-up
https://www.persimmonhomes.com/ways-to-help-you-buy/part-exchange
https://www.bellway.co.uk/buying-with-bellway/express-mover
Disclaimer
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. The content provides general information and should not be relied upon as professional guidance.
Always consult qualified professionals before taking financial actions. The author accepts no responsibility for actions taken based on this article.
Risk Warnings
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.
Step by Step Financial Solutions Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Registered Office: Unit 314, Solent Business Centre, 343 Millbrook Road West, Southampton, SO15 0HW.
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