Who offers guarantor mortgages in 2024 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 in 2024?

There are dozens of guarantor mortgage providers across the UK. These include:

• Barclays
• Gen H
• Skipton Building Society
• The Loughborough Building Society
• Leeds Building Society
• Cambridge Building Society
• Tipton Building Society
• Aldermore
• Cumberland Building Society

This list is certainly not exhaustive. 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 greater, 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. 

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 when working with an expert mortgage broker can be helpful.

At Tembo, our award-winning smart technology compares your eligibility to over 20,000 mortgage products, over 100 lenders and 17 specialist buying schemes in seconds when you create a free Tembo plan. Then, our team of mortgage specialists will walk you through the mortgage process step-by-step.

Create your free Tembo plan today 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. 

This is why it’s a good idea to compare mortgage deals from across the whole market. This can give you an idea 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. 

The last thing you need is to apply for a mortgage and get 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 to get help from a mortgage professional early on in your home buying journey. 

Which banks offer guarantor mortgages?

Barclays Guarantor Mortgage

Barclays offers what’s known as a 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.

Barclays also offer a family springboard mortgage. This is when a loved one with 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 you make your mortgage repayments each month, at the end of the five years your loved one will get their savings back, plus any interest accrued.

Gen H Guarantor Mortgage

There are two guarantor mortgages offered by Gen H that are worth considering. One is a joint-borrower, sole-proprietor mortgage, which adds a family member's income to yours to boost your borrowing potential.

The second guarantor mortgage is a way for your family member to offer help, while having the option of getting some of their money back later on, which can be an advantage for parents looking to support more than one child. They could choose an interest-free loan which you'll pay back later on, or invest in your property through an equity loan, or simply gift cash to you.

A similar option to this is a Deposit Boost mortgage, which allows your loved one to use a small mortgage on their property to unlock money from the family home. The proceeds are then used by you to top up your house deposit, or be used as your entire down payment.

Skipton Guarantor Mortgage

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.

Loughborough's Buy for Uni

The Loughborough'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. You 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?

There’s not a huge difference between the guarantor mortgages you can get in Northern Ireland and the ones you can get in the rest of the UK. There are fewer lenders located in Northern Ireland and some have postcode restrictions in place. But there are lenders situated elsewhere in the UK that are willing to lend to people in the six counties. 

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?

To get a guarantor mortgage in Scotland, you’ll need to meet a lender’s eligibility and affordability criteria. 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 and 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.