London24NEWS

Bank of Mum and Dad to pay £30BILLION in subsequent three years

  • More than half of mortgaged first-time buyers received support in 2023

The Bank of Mum and Dad is expected to pay out almost £30billion over the next three years to give their children a boost up on to the property ladder.

According to the property agents Savills, £9.4 billion was handed to first-time buyers in 2023 – a year in which property transactions dropped by around 20 per cent.

While fewer first-time buyers purchased last year, those that did required more help due to higher mortgage rates. 

In total, 164,000 first-time buyers had family assistance in buying their first home – or 57 per cent of all first-time buyers with mortgages. 

Helping hand: Gifts and loans from the Bank of Mum and Dad totalled £9.4 billion in 2023 – supporting 164,000 first-time buyers

Helping hand: Gifts and loans from the Bank of Mum and Dad totalled £9.4 billion in 2023 – supporting 164,000 first-time buyers

This was the highest proportion of first-time buyers to receive help since 2012, and is 10 per cent up on 2022. 

A total of £30 billion is expected to be paid out by parents to their adult children between 2024 and the end of 2026. 

While the total number of first-time buyers receiving financial help from family is down from 198,000 peak in 2021, Savills says the amount being loaned or gifted has almost doubled since 2019. 

Frances McDonald, director of residential research at Savills said: ‘While many homebuyers enjoyed record low interest rates during the early part of the decade, more stringent mortgage requirements, which have been in place since the start of the pandemic, have impacted [lower deposit] lending, most commonly used by first-time buyers.

‘In addition to this, record rental growth and increased mortgage rates have acted as a further blow to first-time buyers’ home-owning aspirations. 

‘As a result, a greater proportion have needed support to get onto the housing ladder, and those who were able to, took advantage of family support to try and secure a deal at a lower mortgage rate.’

Cheaper mortgages to cut parents’ contributions

In recent weeks, mortgage rates have been falling with lenders competing fiercely to win business.

As mortgage rates continue to decrease, Savills has forecast that a smaller proportion of first-time buyers are likely to need support from the Bank of Mum and Dad.  

The proportion of first-time buyer purchases receiving support will decrease from 57 per cent in 2023 to 54 per cent this year, it has suggested. 

Savills forecasts the total contribution towards first-time buyer purchases will remain in line with 2023 levels (£9.3bn).

‘Despite the Bank of England’s recent decision to cut the base rate, we expect that lenders will continue to favour less risky, lower loan-to-value mortgage lending,’ added McDonald.

‘This means that buyers will still have a hard time getting their first foot on the housing ladder.

‘Those who have the option of family support and are secure in their employment will find it much easier to get onto the housing ladder and only the highest earners and those who have received significant support are likely to be able to buy at the top end of the market.’

How to find a new mortgage

Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible.

What if I need to remortgage? 

Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act.

Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it.

Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees.

Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. 

What if I am buying a home? 

Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. 

Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people’s borrowing ability and buying power.

How to compare mortgage costs 

The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker.

This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice.

Interested in seeing today’s best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs.

If you’re ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C’s online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000’s of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.

> Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C

Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you. 

Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage