What is a gifted deposit?
A gifted deposit is a sum of money that is given by somebody, usually a family member, which forms all or part of a deposit for someone buying a property.
What do you need to know?
- It is important to remember that if you gift a deposit, it is just that, a gift. This means you will be required to sign a written declaration that states it is a gift and that the home buyer is not required to pay it back.
- If you plan to give a gifted deposit you should seek independent advice to ensure you understand you will not have an interest in the property or the right to get your money back.
- Most lenders will accept gifted deposits from close family members and a few will even accept gifted deposits from more distant relatives and friends.
- The lender or solicitor may request to see a bank statement or other documentation to evidence where the gifted deposit has originated from.
- A gifted deposit can be used alongside the applicant’s own savings or the Help to Buy scheme.
What are the alternatives to gifting a deposit?
There are many other ways parents can support their children when purchasing their first home and different ways borrowers can maximise their savings for their deposit.
- Low-deposit mortgages – the availability of products that offer a 95% or 90% LTV has substantially increased. This means that mortgages are now more accessible for buyers with smaller deposits.
- Guarantor mortgages – parents can be named on the mortgage to enhance the affordability for the first time buyer. They can also offset their savings or even take out a joint mortgage with their children.
- Government schemes – if the buyer can’t be helped by their family, government schemes such as Help to Buy or Shared Ownership could be good options.
- Help to Buy ISA – as well as the government schemes listed above, a Help to Buy ISA could assist the buyer in saving a larger deposit. The Help to Buy ISA provides a 25% bonus to first time buyers on a limited amount of savings when it is being used to purchase a house.
Talk to our expert advisers
If you would like more information about giving a gifted deposit or other options for first time buyers then speak to one of our expert advisers today. With over 40 years experience Mark will certainly be able to assist you. You can contact him by emailing him at mark@hhhmortgages.com or give him a call on 01453887179.
