During our time as an open and honest Mortgage Broker in London, we understand that sometimes scraping together a deposit, is one of the biggest hurdles for a first time buyer in London to get onto the property ladder.
We tend to find, parents, grandparents and on rare occasions, even friends who want to help the ones they care for get onto the property ladder. They’ll provide either a portion or the entire amount of the deposit to put down on a property and obtain a mortgage. Find out what gifted deposits are and how they work.
What is a gifted deposit?
A gifted deposit is money given by parents, grandparents, or friends to a homebuyer to use towards your deposit to put down on a property and obtain a mortgage. It can either be a portion or the entire amount.
The money given isn’t a loan and gifted deposits are given to you with an understanding that the money doesn’t need to be repaid.
How can gifted deposits help out?
Gifted deposits are helpful to first time buyers in London. Mainly those who are financially capable of covering their mortgage repayments, but struggling to save up for the initial deposit.
We tend to find, that these situations happen quote often. Perhaps they’ll have larger outgoings, such as rental payments, home energy bills, and essentials. That there isn’t anything else left to put into savings for a deposit.
By receiving a gifted deposit, this will allow you to gain access to much better rates of interest during your mortgage process, especially if that gift is above the minimum 5-10% deposit requirement.
Who can gift the deposit?
As we’ve said, it’s mainly parents or carers who can gift you the deposit. This is often discussed online using the terminology “Bank of Mum & Dad”, don’t let the name throw you off this can include adopted parents too.
Sometimes other family members may also be able to help out with a gifted deposit. Though this entirely depends on the mortgage lender that you end up with. That’s why it’s worth getting in touch to speak to a Mortgage Advisor in London beforehand.
Do your parents know you need help?
We often hear back from customers who have no idea their parents can help with their mortgage! This is why we aim to inform and encounter more people to ask for some extra help, so more people can get a chance to get onto the property ladder.
The majority of parents are more than happy to help their children to find a home of their own, comfortably living as opposed to struggling whilst living in a rental property.
In some areas taking out a mortgage may save you more money per month than you would get from renting, of course, this depends on several factors, but in some circumstances, it can happen.
Gifted deposits can come from inheritance, although parents can sometimes gift it much earlier if they have enough money saved or have released equity from their own home.
Gifted Deposit vs Loans
Some mortgage lenders out there won’t accept loans as a means of paying off your deposit. It will be often related to the lender not being so sure if you can afford to pay back both simultaneously.
Is there a maximum or minimum gifted amount?
There are no limits to the amount that can be gifted to a home buyer, it’s worth remembering that some lenders will want you to have a minimum of 5% from your own savings.
The more you can afford to put down, perhaps combining savings and gifts, you’ll open yourself up to better deals.
Who could benefit from a gifted deposit?
We tend to find, that it’s normally First Time Buyers and home movers in London who will benefit the most from the gifted deposit.
What proof is required?
Your donor will need to sign a gifted deposit form stating that it is not a loan and is in fact a gift. Additional proof such as ID, address, and bank statements will be required.
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Date Last Edited: February 19, 2024
