Who offers guarantor mortgages in 2026 and how to choose the right one

A guarantor mortgage allows you to buy a home with the help of someone you know. There are different ways they could do this, so while you could borrow money from a parent or accept a large cash gift from your granny, your loved one could also support you without giving any cash.

Instead, they could act as a ‘back-up’ in case you’re unable to make your mortgage repayments. If you’re having trouble getting a mortgage alone, finding someone to act as a guarantor could give lenders the confidence to approve your application.

Using a guarantor might allow you to borrow more money too. Lenders will usually only approve loans of up to 4-5 times the buyer’s income. But when a guarantor is involved, they’ll sometimes lend more. Although the mortgage would become your guarantor’s responsibility if you were unable to pay, they won’t own a share of the property. It’ll just belong to you.

If you know someone in a position to help, you’re probably wondering which banks offer guarantor mortgages and how you can apply. Read on to find out more about some of the best guarantor mortgages and how to improve your chances of getting the loan you need.

Which lenders offer guarantor mortgages?

There are dozens of guarantor mortgage providers across the UK. Some of the biggest high-street banks have recently launched their own, including Barclays' Mortgage Boost, NatWest new Family-Backed Mortgage, and Lloyds' Lend A Hand scheme. Some of the most well-known lenders which offer guarantor mortgages are:

• Barclays
• NatWest
• Lloyds
• Gen H
• Skipton Building Society
• The Loughborough Building Society
• Leeds Building Society
• Cambridge Building Society
• Tipton Building Society
• Aldermore
• Cumberland Building Society
• Hampden Bank

There are many more lenders offering guarantor mortgages beyond this list. We've taken a look at a few guarantor mortgage providers in a little more detail below.

How do guarantor mortgages differ between providers?

Guarantor mortgages can differ from one provider to the next. Some mortgage lenders allow the guarantor to remortgage their property to free up cash to be used towards the buyer’s deposit. This is called a Deposit Boost, and can be a great option for those who want to help, but don't have cash savings.

Other types of guarantor mortgages require the guarantor to put a set amount of money into a savings account for a fixed period of time. This is called a Savings as Security mortgage, or sometimes a family springboard mortgage.

Or your guarantor could use their income as security for the loan. These are usually called Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgages, but at Tembo we call them Income Boosts. Because their income is added to yours, your household income will be higher, allowing you to borrow more for a mortgage.

How to apply for a guarantor mortgage

When looking for a mortgage, many people head straight for the bank they hold their current account with. This can seem like the easiest option, especially if they’ve used that bank for a long time. However, while this approach works for some people, it could see you missing out on the best deals. Instead, by working with a mortgage broker who specialises in family-supported mortgages (like us), you can discover all the guarantor mortgages you and your loved one are eligible for.

After all, there are thousands of mortgages to choose from across the market, and each lender has their own mortgage eligibility. How can you be sure your bank has the most suitable one for your situation, or that you will qualify for their products? This is where working with an expert mortgage broker makes a real difference.

At Tembo, our award-winning smart technology compares your eligibility to over 20,000 mortgage products, over 100 lenders and 25 specialist buying schemes in seconds when you complete your details on our online fact find. Then, our team of mortgage specialists will walk you through the mortgage process step-by-step. Complete your details online to see what you could afford with a guarantor's help.

How to find the best guarantor mortgages

The ‘best’ guarantor mortgage is subjective. What’s best for one person won’t be what’s best for another. For example, while one person might benefit from a 3-year fix, someone else might prefer the security of a 5-year fix. With interest rates on the rise, many people are concerned about the amount their debt will cost them overall. On the flip side, some people want to keep their repayments as low as possible, even if it means paying more interest in the long run.

Some aspiring buyers can combine two types of family help, like an Income Boost and Deposit Boost, to help with both the house deposit and increasing their borrowing capacity, like Tembo customer Liam did:

This is why it’s a good idea to compare mortgage deals from across the whole market. This can give you an idea of just how many mortgages there are to choose from, but it won’t show you all of your options.

Mortgage brokers have access to a much broader selection of mortgages than price comparison websites do. This is why working with a mortgage expert could save you thousands and help you access the best terms.

How a mortgage broker can help you find the right guarantor mortgage

A mortgage broker will take a look at your income, savings and goals to work out exactly what you need from your mortgage. They’ll also explore your guarantor’s financial situation to identify which type of guarantor mortgage is most suitable for you both.

They’ll compare mortgage deals from across the market before showing you a small selection that they believe are right for you. If there’s one you’re happy with, they’ll help you fill in a mortgage application for you.

Mortgage brokers know the industry inside out, so if you’ve got a low credit rating or you’ve struggled with debt in the past, they’ll know which lenders to avoid and which ones are most likely to approve your application.

You'll want to avoid applying for a mortgage that's likely to be rejected. A rejected application won’t, in itself, harm your credit score. But your application will leave a hard search on your credit report. Several hard searches in a short space of time can reduce your chances of getting a mortgage even further. This is why it's best for buyers to get help from a mortgage professional early on in their home-buying journey.

Which banks offer guarantor mortgages?

Barclays Mortgage Boost

Barclays offers its Mortgage Boost mortgage, which is a type of joint-borrower, sole-proprietor (JBSP) mortgage. This type of loan allows buyers to apply with someone who’s willing to accept joint responsibility for the mortgage without having a legal claim to the property itself.

It's worth knowing that both the buyer and the guarantor must show they can afford the mortgage payments before being accepted for this type of mortgage. Lenders typically do this by reviewing the guarantor’s income, assets and credit history to make sure they could step in if needed.

Barclays also offer a family springboard mortgage. This is when a loved one will offer up cash savings equivalent to 10% of a property's value, which will be held by Barclays in a special savings account for five years. As long as the buyer makes their mortgage repayments each month, at the end of the five years, their loved one will get their savings back, plus any interest accrued.

NatWest Family-Backed Mortgage

Like Barclays, NatWest's new Family-Backed Mortgage is a type of joint-borrower, sole-proprietor (JBSP) mortgage, where you can add a loved one's income to your mortgage application to boost your borrowing power. Unlike other JBSP mortgages, NatWest's Family Backed Mortgage only lets you have a maximum of two applicants - you, the owner, and one guarantor.

Lloyds Lend a Hand mortgage

Lloyds' Lend a Hand mortgage is a type of savings as security mortgage, where a family member's savings will act as security for the mortgage. Your family member will have to put the equivalent of 10% of the property price's value into a Lloyds Easy Saver or Club Lloyds Saver account, where their savings will be held for 3 years. You can then purchase the property without having to put down any deposit yourself. At the end of the 3-year term, your family member can get their money back, plus any accrued interest.

Gen H Income Booster

Generation Home offers a joint-borrower, sole-proprietor mortgage, which adds a family member's income to yours to boost your borrowing potential. Similar to NatWest's Family-Backed Mortgage and Barclays' Mortgage Boost, this type of guarantor mortgage helps you increase your borrowing capacity through a loved one's income.

Skipton Income Booster

Skipton's joint-borrower, sole-proprietor mortgage allows you to have up to four applicants, which means you could use four incomes to boost your borrowing potential. Plus, your guarantors do not need to be a blood relative, opening up the options for who could support your home purchase.

The Loughborough Building Society's Buy for Uni mortgage

The Loughborough Building Society's Buy for Uni mortgage allows a student to buy a house with the help of family members, rather than rent student accommodation which can be costly. The student will rent out the spare rooms in the house to friends or fellow students, and the rental income will be used to cover the mortgage payments.

Who offers guarantor mortgages in Northern Ireland?

Several UK lenders – including national high-street names and regional building societies – will consider guarantor mortgages for properties in Northern Ireland. There are fewer lenders located in Northern Ireland and some have postcode restrictions in place. However, many lenders based elsewhere in the UK are happy to provide mortgages for properties in Northern Ireland.

It can be a good idea to work with a mortgage broker with experience helping buyers in Northern Ireland. They’ll know which lenders are most likely to consider your application and how to find the best deals for you.

Who offers guarantor mortgages in Scotland?

Getting a mortgage in Scotland is very similar to other parts of the UK. You should expect to pay similar rates too, since most lenders will be influenced by the Bank of England base rate.

The buying process in Scotland is a little different, though. For example, buyers in Scotland must have their mortgage arranged, survey completed and legal enquiries completed before making an offer on a property. That’s because if the offer is accepted, it is legally binding.

Whereas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland you can make an offer and later withdraw it. The Scottish system means that issues such as gazumping are less common.

Who offers guarantor mortgages in Wales?

It’s possible to get a guarantor mortgage in Wales as there isn’t a huge difference between mortgages in Wales and those in the rest of the UK. Like in England, you’ll need to pass the lender’s affordability criteria, and your guarantor’s finances will need to be assessed too. There are fewer lenders situated in Wales but that shouldn’t be a problem. Many lenders across the rest of the UK will be willing to approve mortgages for those buying in Wales too.