How Much Deposit Do You Need To Get a Mortgage?

If you’re planning to get a mortgage, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: how much deposit do I need?
The answer depends on your credit profile, income stability, the type of property you’re buying, and whether you’re using schemes such as Shared Ownership or no-deposit options.

In this guide, we break everything down simply — from 0% deposit routes to low-deposit mortgages, bad-credit deposits, and 25%+ specialist cases — so you can understand what’s possible for your circumstances.

Let’s explore your options.

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What is the minimum deposit you need for a mortgage?

For most buyers with a clean credit record, the minimum deposit starts at 5%, though some lenders and schemes offer lower than 5%, and in certain cases no deposit at all.

Here’s a quick overview:

• 0% deposit: Possible in specific circumstances
• 2–5% deposit: Some clean-credit and Shared Ownership options
• 5% deposit: Standard minimum for most lenders
• 10–15% deposit: If credit isn’t perfect, or income is more complex
• 15–25% deposit: For severe credit issues or recent adverse

We’ll break these down in detail so you know which category fits your situation.

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Can you get a mortgage with no deposit?

Yes — but only through specific routes. Traditional lenders rarely offer true 100% mortgages, but there are several no-deposit pathways:

1. Family-Assisted Mortgages (Gifted or Boosted Support)

Examples include:

• A family member providing savings as security
• A family member using equity in their own property as support

These options effectively allow you to buy with 0% deposit, as long as the supporter meets the lender’s criteria.

2. Guarantor-Style Products

These require a parent or close relative with strong affordability.
You still borrow 100% of the purchase price, but a family member is linked to the mortgage.

3. Deposit-Free Special Products (Occasionally Available)

Some lenders offer limited 100% mortgages for long-term renters with strong affordability and clean credit.
Availability changes frequently, and criteria are strict, but it’s an option worth discussing.

If you’d like us to check whether you qualify for any of these, we’re happy to help.

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Can you get a mortgage with less than a 5% deposit?

Yes — in some cases.

Situations where 2–5% deposits may be possible:

• Clean credit profile
• Stable employment
• Strong affordability
• Lower-value properties
• Certain Shared Ownership purchases
• Limited-time lender products

These low-deposit cases are niche but achievable. The key is matching you to a lender that accepts lower deposits and your income type.

Let’s explore your options together.

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Standard deposit requirements for most buyers

For the majority of applicants, the minimum deposit is 5%.

Examples:

• Property price £200,000 → £10,000 deposit
• Property price £150,000 → £7,500 deposit
• Property price £120,000 → £6,000 deposit

A 5% deposit is generally available to:

• First-time buyers
• Single applicants
• Home movers
• Those with stable employment
• Applicants with clean or near-clean credit
• Many self-employed buyers with solid accounts

If your credit is strong and your bank statements are healthy, 5% is usually enough.

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How much deposit do you need with bad credit?

This depends on the type of credit issue, how recent it is, and the size and pattern of the problems.

Here’s a helpful breakdown:

Minor issues (e.g., old missed payments)

5–10% deposit

Moderate issues (defaults or CCJs over 12 months old)

10–15% deposit

More recent adverse (within the last 12 months)

15–20% deposit

Severe issues (recent CCJs, multiple defaults, DMPs, discharged bankruptcy)

20–25% deposit

Some lenders may consider bad-credit mortgages from 2.5%, but this applies mainly to:

• Very small or historic issues
• Older adverse where the credit file has recovered
• Cases with strong income and low outgoings

In most real-world scenarios, 5% is the starting point, with increases depending on recent credit behaviour.
We cover more on this in our guides on DMPs and bankruptcy if you’d like further detail.

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How much deposit do you need for Shared Ownership?

Shared Ownership is often one of the most deposit-friendly ways to buy.

Deposits are based on the share you’re buying, not the full property value.

Example

Full property price: £240,000
Buying a 25% share: £60,000
5% deposit: £3,000

Typical Shared Ownership deposits:

• 5% minimum for most lenders
• 2–5% for clean-credit profiles
• 10%+ if there is adverse credit to consider

Because the deposit is based on a smaller percentage of the value, many first-time buyers choose Shared Ownership to keep upfront costs low.

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How much deposit do you need if you’re self-employed?

Lenders generally require the same deposit as employed applicants — the difference is in how your income is assessed.

Self-employed applicants can still get:

• 5% deposit mortgages
• Low-deposit Shared Ownership options
• Family-assisted products

The key is presenting your income clearly, whether through:

• SA302s
• Tax calculations
• Full accounts
• Dividends + salary
• Retained profits

We handle this for you to make sure your affordability is shown accurately.

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Does a larger deposit mean better mortgage rates?

Almost always — yes.

Lenders group interest rates by Loan-to-Value (LTV) tiers.
The lower your LTV, the better your rate.

Common LTV tiers:

• 95% (5% deposit)
• 90% (10% deposit)
• 85% (15% deposit)
• 80% (20% deposit)
• 75% (25% deposit)
• 60% (40% deposit) ← usually the best rates

If you can increase your deposit to the next tier, even slightly, you often unlock a lower rate.

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What if you’re struggling to save a deposit?

Here are some alternatives that may help:

• Shared Ownership
• Family-assisted schemes
• Joint borrower arrangements
• Gifted deposits
• Low-deposit schemes when available
• Saving over a longer time at a fixed amount each month
• Reviewing unnecessary subscriptions or spending
• Switching to higher-interest savings products

If you’d like tailored guidance based on your situation, we’re here to help.

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Key Takeaways

• Deposits range from 0% to 25% depending on circumstances
• Low-deposit options below 5% exist, mainly for clean-credit or Shared Ownership cases
• Bad credit deposits usually start from 5–15%, increasing for recent or severe issues
• Shared Ownership offers some of the lowest deposit routes
• No-deposit options are possible through family-assisted or specialist schemes
• A bigger deposit reduces rates and widens lender choice

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Final Thoughts

Your deposit doesn’t need to be huge — and it doesn’t need to match what friends or family have done.
Whether you’re aiming for 2–5%, exploring no-deposit routes, or navigating bad-credit requirements, there are more options than most people realise.

At Mortgage Bridge, we help applicants with clean, complex and adverse credit find a lender that fits them, not the other way around.
We’re here to guide you step by step, clearly and confidently.