Yes, you can get a mortgage on one income, and the good news is that the process is pretty much the same. Affordability checks might mean that you can borrow less than with two incomes, but if you’ve got a 5% deposit and a decent credit score, you’ll be well on the way to getting your own mortgage. The best part? You can really spread out on the sofa!
Can I get a mortgage on my own?
You can get a mortgage on your own, and plenty of people do. In 2026, 11.8% of mortgage lending was to single-income borrowers who borrowed at least four times their annual income .
So, how much could you borrow?
Let’s say you earn £35,000 per year. If you borrowed four times your salary, you’d have a mortgage of £140,000. This doesn’t include any deposit you put down, as your deposit isn’t part of what you borrow.
The amount you can borrow isn’t based on your income alone. Lenders look at your monthly outgoings, credit history and what you need to spend money on when working out what you can afford. They’ll also consider whether you could still afford your repayments if interest rates change.
If you have the right deposit, meet the affordability requirements and have a good credit score, you could be able to get a mortgage on your own.
Speaking to a mortgage adviser can help you understand what you could borrow and which lenders may be able to help.
Is it harder to get a mortgage as a single person?
Not necessarily. You can apply for a mortgage on your own just like any other borrower. The main difference is that your affordability is based on one income, rather than two.
Your income, outgoings, deposit and the lender’s criteria will all play a part in how much you could borrow.
Try our affordability calculator to get a better sense of how much you could afford.
How much can you borrow on your own?
Your affordability, or how much you can afford to borrow, is usually based on your annual income. As a rough guide, some lenders may offer around four to five times your annual income as a mortgage, although this can vary between lenders.
A bigger deposit could also mean you can afford a more expensive property, as you’ll need to borrow less.
If you meet all the lender’s requirements, you should be able to get a standard mortgage on your own. If the property you’re looking at costs more than you can borrow, there are still some options that can help:
Increase your deposit: A bigger deposit could help you buy a property that’s worth more than you’d be able to borrow. We know that saving more isn’t always easy, but you could consider saving for a little longer or speaking to family about a gifted deposit.
Using a guarantor: Having a mortgage guarantor could help you get a bigger mortgage. Remember though, if you can’t keep up with your monthly repayments, they’ll have to make the payments for you. Depending on the mortgage, they may also put their savings or home up as collateral against your borrowing, which means their home may be at risk if you can’t repay the mortgage.
First Homes Scheme: The First Homes Scheme could help some first time buyers buy a home at a discount of 30-50% off its market value. The scheme is available in England and local councils can give priority to groups such as key workers.
Here’s what you need to qualify:
Be a first time buyer (key workers are prioritised)
You must not earn more than £80,000 (£90,000 in London)
The home must not be worth more than £250,000 (£420,000 in London)
You must have a connection to the area in which the property is located (family or work)
Keep in mind that the First Homes Scheme is a bit different depending on where you live and by developer, so do your research and find out if there are options local to you.
Mortgage guarantee scheme
The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme could help if you have a smaller deposit. It offers mortgages with a loan-to-value of 91% to 95%, meaning you could potentially buy a home with a deposit of 5%.
Lifetime ISA
A Lifetime ISA (LISA) could help you build up your deposit if you’re a first time-buyer. You can save up to £4,000 each tax year and the government adds a 25% bonus, up to £1,000 a year. You can use your LISA to buy a first-home on your own, as long as you meet the criteria.
Shared ownership
Shared ownership lets you buy a share of a property with a mortgage, while paying rent on the remaining share. You can buy a 10% share on some homes, but it’s often between 25% and 75% of the property to start with. Over time, you can buy more shares and work towards owning 100% of the property.
Find out more about what shared ownership is and how it works.
Arran Sagoo, a shared ownership homeowner, said that the scheme made it possible for him to get on the property ladder.
He said: “House prices seem to go up so much faster than salaries, and with lenders asking for 4.5x your baseline salary, I wasn’t going to get something that worked for me. Shared ownership made it possible for me to get something I could call my own.”
What size deposit will you need?
You could get a mortgage with a 5% deposit, although having a bigger deposit could unlock more mortgages and potentially lower interest rates.
How much you save depends on what you’re aiming to buy and what you can comfortable put aside. If you’re not sure where to start, our guide to busting the myth of the big deposit can help.
Gifted deposits
If saving a deposit is proving tricky, you could get help from a family member with a gifted deposit. This is money that goes towards your deposit and doesn’t need to be repaid, although lenders will have their own rules and terms around gifted deposits. You’ll probably have to invite them round for wine and pizza when it all goes through too.
Can you get a mortgage on your own with bad credit?
Having a bad credit score doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get a mortgage. It might make it a little trickier, but a mortgage adviser will show you the available options. That’s because they have access to a wider range of deals and work with specialist lenders to find you a deal that’s just right for you.
Getting your credit score in shape before buying a home can also really help, especially if you’re applying on your own. Take a look at our guide to understanding your credit score to find out what you can do to improve yours.
How to increase your chances of getting a mortgage on your own
There are a few things you can do to put yourself in a stronger position:
Clear any debt – If you have debt, reducing what you owe could improve your affordability. Lenders will also want to see that you’re managing your repayments and keeping up with them. Find out how to reduce your debt with our top tips.
Be realistic about your borrowing – Just because a lender says you could borrow a certain amount doesn’t mean you have to. Think about what you could comfortably afford each month and leave yourself a little breathing room.
Save, save, save – Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. The bigger your deposit, the less you’ll need to borrow, so saving as much as you can will really help. Read about the benefits of saving for a bigger deposit and how it could help when buying a property on your own.
Protect your money – When you’re the only person responsible for the mortgage, it’s worth thinking about what would happen if something happened to your salary. Income protection or life insurance could help cover your finances if things change.
Not sure if being insured is worth it? Check out our article about the myths of mortgage protection insurance.
How a mortgage adviser can help
Getting a mortgage on your own doesn’t mean you have to figure it all out by yourself. A mortgage adviser can explain what lenders may look for, what you could borrow and which types of mortgages could be available to you.
They can also talk you through protection such as life insurance, income protection, and critical illness cover.
Talk to a mortgage adviser for a helping hand when you’re buying a home on your own.
Ready to chat? Our advisers are ready to call you back today. The first chat costs nothing and is totally free of obligation.
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FAQs
What you need for a deposit doesn’t change if you’re applying on your own, so you’ll still only need a minimum of 5%.
Yes. you can, but you’ll be assessed as a sole borrower. Keep in mind that if your partner is still contributing to the payments, they may have some entitlement to some of the value, depending on the circumstances and agreements.
There’s no set income you need to earn to get a mortgage. Lenders assess your affordability based on your financial situation. If you’re on a lower income, some lenders may count certain benefits or regular payments as part of your income.
Yes, it can. This usually involves a transfer of equity, or buying out the other person, which may mean remortgaging with your current lender or a new one. Early Repayment Charges may also apply. Read the ins and outs of transferring a mortgage for more information.
Yes, you can. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for shared ownership on your own. The process is the same as if you were buying with another person.