ARCHIVED ARTICLE This article was correct at the time of publication. It is now over 6 months old so the content may be out of date.
Advertisement

Image of Mike Brown

Michael Brown

Acting Editor
Published: 10/05/2023
Skipton BS branch

The mortgage differs from the competition by negating the need for a guarantor. 

Yesterday Skipton BS launched a deposit-free mortgage aimed at renters looking to join the property ladder. These types of mortgages already exist, but Skipton BS’s deal is the only one on the market which does not require a guarantor.

Charlotte Harrison, CEO of Home Financing at Skipton BS, said that there is a current gap in the market for renters who have a strong history of paying their bills on time but cannot afford the deposit on a home of their own.

“It is time for a re-think on these massive barriers to homeownership, and we’re proud to take the lead on bringing to the market solutions for such a massive social problem,” she said.

Are rental costs rising?

As the cost of living becomes more expensive, monthly rental bills are no exception. Our recent article explains in more detail. 

How do I qualify for Skipton BS’s Track Record Mortgage?

To be eligible for this mortgage, interested borrowers need to be:

  • A first-time buyer
  • Aged 21 or older
  • A minimum 12 months’ good rental history
  • The monthly mortgage repayments cannot exceed the average rental costs over the past six months.

How do other no-deposit mortgages work?

There are currently 15 other mortgage products at a maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 100%.

While these are predominantly offered by local banks and building societies, high street lenders Barclays and Halifax have similar versions of this mortgage.

Both lenders require the first-time buyer to find a “helper” or “family member”, essentially someone who is willing to put up a 10% deposit on the home.

This deposit is then locked away over a fixed term and, provided the first-time buyer keeps up with their repayments, is returned to the “helper” or “family member” with interest.

This means eventually the first-time buyer would have paid off the entire value of their home, plus the interest charged.

Can I get a better rate?

At 5.29% fixed for five years, there are several better rates on the market if you can muster a deposit. Our weekly roundup lists some of these deals in more detail. 

How do property prices fare?

Skipton BS’s announcement came at a time when Halifax, the UK’s largest mortgage lender, reported a fall in house prices. Kim Kinnaird, Director of Mortgages at Halifax, said that this decline will likely continue for the rest of the year.

The average UK property now costs £995 less than it did in March.

A further decline in house prices could see an increase in demand for homes, but only if it is an affordable option for would-be buyers.

So, while innovative ways to help people towards homeownership are welcome, the key to affordable housing lies in its supply, according to Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.

“There are very few 100% LTV mortgages in the market, but even if we were to see more innovative deals surface, affordable housing is very much in short supply, and there needs to be significant changes to the market to turn this around,” she said.

Disclaimer

Information is correct as of the date of publication (shown at the top of this article). Any products featured may be withdrawn by their provider or changed at any time. Links to third parties on this page are paid for by the third party. You can find out more about the individual products by visiting their site. Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will receive a small payment if you use their services after you click through to their site. All information is subject to change without notice. Please check all terms before making any decisions. This information is intended solely to provide guidance and is not financial advice. Moneyfacts will not be liable for any loss arising from your use or reliance on this information. If you are in any doubt, Moneyfacts recommends you obtain independent financial advice.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will never contact you by phone to sell you any financial product. Any calls like this are not from Moneyfacts. Emails sent by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will always be from news@moneyfacts-news.co.uk. Be ScamSmart.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will never contact you by phone to sell you any financial product. Any calls like this are not from Moneyfacts. Emails sent by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will always be from news@moneyfacts-news.co.uk. Be ScamSmart.