Getting a Mortgage With 3 or 4 People
Buying a home with someone else can make homeownership more affordable — but what if there are three or even four of you? Whether you’re pooling resources with friends, family, or partners, getting a mortgage with 3 or 4 people is absolutely possible, as long as you understand how it works and what lenders will look for.
At Mortgage Bridge, we regularly help clients arrange multi-person mortgages — from siblings buying together to groups of friends sharing a home or investors building their first property portfolio. If you’re exploring this route, here’s everything you need to know about joint mortgages with three or four applicants.
Can You Get a Mortgage With 3 or 4 People?
Yes — you can.
Most high street lenders allow up to four people to be named on a single mortgage application. However, some lenders will only consider the income of the top two earners when working out how much you can borrow, while others are happy to include all applicants’ incomes.
This is where it pays to use a broker like us. We know which lenders will include all three or four incomes — which can make a big difference to your borrowing potential and the homes within reach.
We’ll also guide you through how the legal ownership works, so everyone’s contribution and share are protected.
Why Get a Mortgage With Multiple People?
Buying as a group can open doors that might otherwise feel out of reach. Common reasons people choose to get a mortgage with 3 or 4 people include:
- Affordability: Pooling income and deposits can mean a higher borrowing amount.
- Shared responsibility: Mortgage payments, bills, and maintenance costs can be split.
- Getting on the ladder sooner: It’s easier to buy sooner with others than waiting to save alone.
- Investment opportunities: Friends or family may buy together as an investment or shared home.
Whether it’s three friends purchasing a shared property, siblings buying together after inheritance, or two couples investing jointly, multi-person mortgages are becoming increasingly common.
How Does a Mortgage With 3 or 4 People Work?
A joint mortgage with 3 or 4 people works much the same as any other mortgage — you all apply together and are jointly responsible for the repayments.
However, there are some important differences to understand:
- All applicants share legal responsibility.
Each person named on the mortgage is equally liable for the full debt — not just “their share.” If one person stops paying, the others must cover it. - You can choose how you own the property.
- Joint Tenants: Everyone owns the property equally.
- Tenants in Common: Each person owns a specific share (for example, 50/30/20).
- Lenders may cap the number of incomes they use.
Some lenders only consider the two highest incomes, even if all four are on the mortgage. Others use all incomes — which can increase your borrowing power significantly.
We’ll help you find the right lender for your setup, so your joint income is maximised and your ownership is structured correctly from the start.
How Much Can 3 or 4 People Borrow Together?
That depends on your combined incomes and credit profiles.
Lenders typically offer around 4 to 5.5 times your joint income, but this varies depending on who’s included and the lender’s policy.
For example:
- If only the top two earners are considered, and they earn £40,000 and £35,000, your maximum might be around £300,000–£375,000.
- If all four incomes are counted — say £40,000 + £35,000 + £25,000 + £20,000 — you might borrow up to £500,000+, depending on other factors.
We’ll calculate your affordability based on each person’s income and find lenders who include as many applicants’ earnings as possible.
What Deposit Do You Need for a Multi-Person Mortgage?
The minimum deposit is usually 5–10% of the property’s value, depending on credit history and the type of mortgage.
You can combine your savings to create one larger deposit — for example, if four people each put down £5,000, that’s a £20,000 deposit on a £200,000 home.
The deposit can be contributed in any proportion, and this can be reflected in the ownership split if you’re buying as tenants in common.
We’ll help you record everything properly with a deed of trust, so it’s clear who owns what share.
Who Owns the Property When There Are 3 or 4 People on the Mortgage?
There are two main ownership types for joint mortgages:
1. Joint Tenants
All owners have equal rights to the whole property. If one person passes away, their share automatically passes to the others. This setup is common for couples.
2. Tenants in Common
Each owner has their own defined share — for example, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%. You can choose to pass your share to someone else in your will. This is usually the better option for friends, siblings, or mixed ownership groups.
We’ll explain both options clearly and help you set up the right legal structure with your solicitor.
What Are the Risks of Getting a Mortgage With Multiple People?
While a multi-person mortgage can be a great way to buy, there are a few risks to consider — and plan for.
- Shared liability: If one person can’t pay, the others must cover the full mortgage.
- Credit impact: Missed payments affect everyone’s credit record.
- Future disagreements: If someone wants to sell or move out, it can complicate things.
- Relationship changes: Couples or friends falling out can make things tricky if there’s no agreement in place.
These risks are manageable — especially with a clear legal agreement in place before buying. We always recommend setting up a cohabitation agreement or deed of trust to define everyone’s share, responsibilities, and what happens if one person leaves or sells.
Can Friends Buy a House Together?
Yes — buying with friends is increasingly popular, particularly among younger buyers facing high property prices.
Many lenders are open to mortgages with friends or siblings, as long as the income, credit history, and deposit all meet their criteria.
Before applying, you’ll all need to:
- Agree on ownership shares and exit plans
- Ensure everyone’s credit records are in good shape
- Decide how you’ll handle ongoing costs (bills, maintenance, insurance)
We’ve helped lots of friendship groups secure mortgages together — with the right preparation and lender, it can be a great route onto the property ladder.
What If One Person Wants to Leave the Mortgage Later?
If one person wants to sell their share or come off the mortgage, it’s possible — but it requires the remaining borrowers to remortgage or buy out that person’s share.
Lenders will recheck affordability based on the new applicants’ income. If everything stacks up, they’ll approve a new mortgage with the updated ownership.
We can guide you through that process when the time comes, so everyone understands what’s involved from the start.
Can You Get a Buy-to-Let Mortgage With 3 or 4 People?
Yes — joint buy-to-let mortgages with up to four people are common, particularly for family investors or business partners building property portfolios together.
Most buy-to-let lenders allow up to four names, and income assessments are often more flexible since rental income is part of the equation.
If you’re planning to invest with friends or relatives, we can help you decide whether to buy as individuals or through a limited company structure, depending on your goals.
What Documents Do You Need for a Multi-Person Mortgage?
Each applicant will need to provide:
- Proof of ID and address
- Payslips or proof of income (usually 3–6 months)
- Latest P60 or tax returns (if self-employed)
- Bank statements (3 months minimum)
- Proof of deposit and its source
We’ll gather everything for you and make sure all documents align — lenders like to see consistent, clear paperwork, especially for multiple applicants.
What Lenders Allow 3 or 4 Applicants on a Mortgage?
Several lenders in the UK allow up to four applicants, though each has its own rules. Examples include:
- Nationwide – allows four names but only uses two incomes.
- Barclays – can include up to four people and consider all incomes.
- Halifax – allows up to four people, typically using two incomes.
- Specialist lenders – more flexible and often include all applicants.
We’ll identify the best lender based on your situation — including whether you want all incomes counted or just need the additional names for ownership purposes.
How Can Mortgage Bridge Help You Get a Multi-Person Mortgage?
This type of mortgage needs careful planning — and that’s where we come in.
At Mortgage Bridge, we specialise in helping clients with joint and complex income applications, including those involving three or four people.
Here’s how we make it easier:
✅ Find lenders that allow all 3 or 4 names and count multiple incomes
✅ Help structure ownership correctly (joint tenants vs tenants in common)
✅ Ensure documents, deposits, and agreements align
✅ Guide you through legal and financial protection steps
We’ll walk you through every stage, explain the fine print, and make sure everyone understands their responsibilities — so there are no surprises later on.
If you’re thinking about buying with friends or family, we’re happy to talk through your plans and show you what’s possible based on your combined income and goals.
Final Thoughts: Teamwork Makes Homeownership Possible
Buying a property with three or four people can be a smart, affordable, and rewarding way to get on the property ladder.
The key is to do it properly — with clear communication, the right legal structure, and a lender who recognises all your incomes fairly.
At Mortgage Bridge, we’ve helped groups of friends, families, and partners secure multi-person mortgages that make homeownership achievable sooner than they thought.
Let’s explore your options together and find the right mortgage to fit your team’s goals — because when everyone pulls together, owning a home becomes a lot more possible.