Buying solo can feel out of reach but, with the right support, it’s absolutely possible. In fact, the mortgage broker Tembo reported that the number of single borrowers increased by 18% in the second half of 2025 compared to the first half. Here are some of the key considerations, as well as the different schemes and support you can use to get on the property ladder.
There’s a (very) general rule that you can borrow up to 4.5 times your income, and this is the same whether you’re buying solo or with another person. However, the amount you can borrow – especially as a first-time buyer – varies massively depending on your circumstances.
There are key factors that influence how much you can borrow as a single person:
For most solo buyers, it’s recommended to use an independent mortgage broker to scan the entire market for current deals and work out your maximum property budget. Popular brokers include Tembo and L&C Mortgages.
It’s also worth noting that you may not want to borrow the maximum amount quoted to you, as this can mean higher monthly payments. Finder statistics show the average monthly mortgage payment is £1,355, but it’s important to end up with a payment you’re comfortable with.
"For a long time, I was certain that getting a mortgage was a million miles away, especially getting one by myself. However, as an existing Tembo user, I noticed you can check out your mortgage options through the app, so I thought I would give it a try to see just how far away I really was.
The process was straightforward and seamless, where I simply had to complete a form and input a few personal details, which took no longer than 5 minutes. In no time I was looking at the different homes that I could currently afford to get a mortgage on – which I was pleasantly surprised by!
Tembo did all the hard work, producing an easily digestible breakdown of the fees, loan amounts and rates involved with each mortgage option available to me. The app also gave me plenty of information about some relevant schemes and how those would work, which helped guide me towards the most suitable and sensible mortgage for my situation."
It can be harder to meet a lender’s affordability criteria as a single parent. You’re relying on a single income for a multiple person household and any regular outgoings – including childcare costs – are taken into account when a lender stress tests your finances.
However, it’s absolutely possible and there are schemes that can help you get onto the property ladder as a single parent. An online mortgage broker – like Tembo, Mojo Mortgages or Simply Lending – can help you find specialist mortgage options for your situation.
Lenders will still take benefit income into account when assessing your affordability, alongside other regular income such as a salary. It can be harder to get a mortgage if benefits make up a significant portion of your income, but there are options.
You may be able to increase your borrowing potential by having a strong credit score and a larger deposit. You may also be able to apply for government-backed schemes like Shared Ownership to assist your application.
Lenders have their own specific rules about who can borrow from them, but a mortgage broker can help you find providers experienced in dealing with more complex situations.
There are several schemes that families can take part in to help their relatives buy solo:
These come with benefits and risks, so it’s important to speak to a mortgage broker about the best option for you. Look for mortgage platforms, like Tembo, that specialise in boosting single applicant borrowing power with family help. On its website you can discover how much a JBSP could boost your borrowing in just 10-minutes, live interest rates, indicative repayments and all.
The first – and arguably the most difficult – step in buying a house on your own is saving up your deposit. Look for dedicated accounts that can help you. One of the most popular is the Lifetime ISA (LISA), which lets you deposit up to £4,000 each year, and the government will contribute 25% (up to a maximum of £1,000 a year).
The LISA does come with a penalty if you don’t use the funds for a house purchase and withdraw them before you’re 60, and there’s also a property threshold cap. If you’re unsure whether the LISA is a fit, there are alternatives. The mortgage broker and savings provider Tembo also has a specialised savings account for prospective home buyers with a competitive rate, called the HomeSaver.
The government has also announced plans for a new First-Time Buyer ISA, with the details still to be ironed out.
As well as the family-assisted schemes (guarantor mortgages, Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgage and Deposit Boost) and Lifetime ISA mentioned earlier, you might want to look into the following schemes which can boost affordability:
A good mortgage broker will explore these on your behalf and help you weigh up any suitable options.
Once you’ve got a substantial deposit saved and you’ve looked at the available help, the next step is seeing what you can feasibly borrow. Banks and building societies such Lloyds or Nationwide have affordability calculators, BUT the results will be based on that provider’s specific lending rules and their current deals only, so they won’t give you the full picture.
Instead, you can use an online mortgage broker to get a Mortgage in Principle (MIP). This lets you know how much you can actually borrow as a single applicant – giving you a budget for your home.
The next step is choosing your mortgage deal and applying. If you’ve used a whole-market broker (e.g. Tembo or Habito) you should have a good idea of the best options. You’ll need to provide the relevant documents, such as proof of identity, address, income and bank statements.
Then, once you’ve done this, you can start the exciting process of finding your dream home (if you haven’t already), making an offer and going through the home-buying process!
The average first-time buyer house price in May 2026 was £244,000. For a single person, this would mean putting down the amounts listed below with different deposit percentages. Note that deposit requirements vary hugely depending on where you live. Tembo's quarterly first-time buyer index breaks down average deposits from the UK's top 21 cities.
| Deposit percentage | Deposit amount | Mortgage required |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | £12,200 | £231,800 |
| 10% | £24,400 | £219,600 |
| 15% | £36,600 | £207,400 |
| 20% | £48,800 | £195,200 |
Yes, you can, but many lenders prefer married applicants to take out a joint mortgage so you might need a valid reason. This could include existing ownership of a property, one partner moving out, or your spouse having a poor credit score or no income.
It's worth nothing that any financial association – where two people share a financial product, whether that's a mortgage or a joint bank account – could impact your chances of applying for a new financial product if your partner has a poor credit score. This is because a bank would think you’d help them out if they were in dire straights.
You might consider government schemes such as Shared Ownership or look at options like a Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgage (JBSP), where a family member’s income can be added to your mortgage but you retain full ownership. A mortgage broker can help you boost your affordability by looking at specialist schemes – for example, Tembo says it can boost the average user's budget by £82,000.
You should have access to the same options, but you will need to provide comprehensive income evidence, such as up to 3 years of accounts and tax returns. A broker can help match you with lenders who specialise in self-employed and single income mortgages.
There are no set requirements, but you should always aim to improve your credit report before applying for a mortgage. Having a score in the "good", "very good" or "excellent" tier will improve your access to mortgage deals and likelihood of being approved.
A fixed-rate mortgage is typically seen as the safer choice with a single income, as your payments are certain and won’t suddenly fluctuate. While variable rates can be cheaper initially, there’s always a chance they can go up significantly if interest rates rise.
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