Getting a mortgage as a single person

Key takeaways:

• Getting a mortgage on your own to buy a house is possible, though a single income can impact how much you can borrow and the property you can afford. 

• There are government schemes that can help buying your own home easier. 

• Over half (52.5%) of our customers in 2025 were sole applicants.*

• A mortgage broker can help you find the right mortgage and income protection.

In this guide:

• Getting a single person mortgage

• Can I get a mortgage on my own?

• Can a single person remortgage?

• How much can a single person borrow for a mortgage?

• Can you afford a mortgage on your own?

• How much deposit do I need?

• You’re a single person who’s also self-employed 

• You’re a single parent

• You are married but want a single person mortgage

• You want to add someone to your single mortgage

• You want to buy a home above your budget

• Protect your finances

• How to get a mortgage as a single person

Can a single person remortgage?

Yes, a single person can remortgage. Whether you’re taking out a new deal on a property or removing an ex-partner from a joint mortgage, the key is to meet the lender’s affordability and credit criteria. Since the mortgage will be based solely on your income, you’ll need to be sure you can afford the mortgage comfortably. 

From affordability checks to product transfers (remortgaging) and removing a joint name, a mortgage broker can help you with the ins-and-outs of each step.

How much can a single person borrow for a mortgage?

As a single person, you’ll have one income that lenders will use to assess your affordability. Lenders typically lend between 4-5x your income. 

For example, let’s say you earn the average UK salary (at time of writing, July 2026) of £39,000, you may be able to borrow between £156,000 and £195,000 for a house. This doesn’t include any deposit you put down, since this doesn’t count as borrowing. 

Figures are illustrative only. 

Your affordability will play a role in how much you can borrow, and this is calculated by lenders looking at your income and outgoings, credit history, and the current interest rates. The figure also considers where interest rates could go, as lenders want to ensure you can meet your repayments should interest rates increase. Which is why you may be asking yourself - will mortgage rates fall?

Of course, joint borrowers who are applying with two incomes will be able to borrow more. In 2025, we found that joint applicants put down ~42% larger deposits than sole applicants (£97k vs £68k). Joint applicants also borrowed ~48% more (£301k vs £203k) — consistent with combined incomes supporting bigger loans.**

If you have the right deposit amount, meet affordability requirements, have a good credit score, and are willing to make the repayments, you may be able to get a mortgage. This is something a mortgage broker can help you with. Get in touch if you’d like to explore your options for a single person mortgage. 

Can you afford a mortgage on your own?

You’ve decided you want a mortgage on your own, but now comes the calculations. Can you actually afford it? Every circumstance will be different, but consider these two factors:

• Your deposit

Most lenders require a 10% deposit, with some accepting a 5%. In most cases, the deposit will be cash saved up by you (or gifted by a loved one), which you’ll need to consider stretching. This is because there are additional costs to buying a house: legal fees, surveys, valuations, removals. 

In short, using all of the cash you’ve saved for the deposit may not be possible, as you’ll have other fees to pay. As such, calculate rough estimates of these costs so you’re better prepared for paying them - and knowing how much you have to use as a deposit.

• Your affordability

Lenders work out how much they think you can borrow based on your income and outgoings. Usually, you can borrow between 4.5-5x your income, however, this isn’t set in stone. If you have bad credit or piles of debt, you could be looking at a lower borrowing amount. On the other hand, if you’re in a professional industry with high income, you may be able to borrow more. 

While there are mortgage affordability calculators, it’s always a good idea to speak to a mortgage broker to determine how much you can realistically afford.

How much deposit do I need?

Usually, you’ll need at least 5% of the home’s purchase price as a deposit. The more you have as a deposit, the more mortgage options become available to you. And with them, potentially better interest rates.

The size of your deposit depends on your circumstances, as we all know how difficult it can be to save thousands of pounds with everyday living expenses. Here we explore how much deposit you need.

You’re a single person who’s also self-employed 

Can a single person get a mortgage if they’re self-employed?

Yes. Self-employment doesn't block you from getting a mortgage, but lenders assess you differently than employed applicants:

Proof of income: Most lenders want 2-3 years of accounts or tax returns (SA302s/tax year overviews) to prove consistent earnings. Some specialist lenders accept just 1 year of accounts.

Income calculation: Lenders typically use net profit (or salary and dividends if you run a limited company) rather than turnover, so a high-revenue business with big expenses may show lower "usable" income than expected.

Affordability: As a sole applicant, your borrowing is based on one income, so the loan-to-income multiple matters more. Lenders commonly lend 4-4.5x annual income, sometimes higher with certain lenders.

Deposit: No different from employed applicants - typically 5-15% minimum, though a bigger deposit improves rates and approval odds.

A mortgage broker can help match you with lenders who are more self-employed-friendly, since underwriting criteria vary a lot between lenders.

You’re a single parent

Can a single parent get a mortgage?

Being a single parent doesn't affect mortgage eligibility directly. 

What matters to lenders is:

Income and affordability: As with any sole applicant, borrowing is based on one income (plus any maintenance/benefit income some lenders will count, though policies vary).

Government schemes: First-time buyer single parents may benefit from schemes like Shared Ownership (buy a share, pay rent on the rest) or the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme (5% deposit mortgages), which can lower the deposit barrier.

Child-related costs: Lenders factor in your outgoings (childcare, benefits, maintenance payments) when assessing affordability –  this can reduce how much you're offered compared to a childless applicant with the same income.

Credit history: Same requirements as any applicant: good credit history improves rates and choice.

Benefits like Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit can sometimes be included as income by certain lenders, which can boost affordability. If you have either, it’s worth flagging to your mortgage broker when looking for a single parent mortgage.

You are married but want a single person mortgage

Can I get a mortgage on my own if married?

Yes, you can apply for a mortgage in just your name while married. Marriage doesn't require joint applications. This means you can buy and mortgage a property solely in your name.

In terms of affordability, only your income and credit history are assessed, so your borrowing power is based on one salary, even if your spouse earns more. In most cases, a spouse's bad credit won't affect your sole application (lenders assess joint finances only for joint applicants) – though some lenders ask about your spouse's financial situation on the application form.

Even if the mortgage is in your name only, your spouse may still have "home rights" under UK matrimonial law (protecting them from eviction, especially if it's the matrimonial home) — this doesn't affect the mortgage lender's decision, but is worth discussing with a solicitor.

Getting a sole mortgage when you’re married isn’t uncommon. Many people choose to to protect one partner's credit history, keep finances separate, or one partner doesn’t qualify (e.g. due to visa status, poor credit, or being newly self-employed).

At Mojo Mortgages, we can help you with a single mortgage application when married, no matter what your situation.

You want to add someone to your single mortgage

Can I add someone to my solo mortgage?

Yes, but it's not just a formality, it usually means remortgaging or a formal "transfer of equity," which involves:

Lender approval required: The new person must go through affordability and credit checks just like a new applicant, they can't simply be "added" without approval.

You can choose to do a: 

• Product transfer / remortgage with your existing lender, adding the new applicant to the mortgage

• Transfer of equity: Adding them to the property title and mortgage, often done alongside a remortgage

Costs involved: Legal fees (solicitor for transfer of equity), potential early repayment charges if you're mid-fixed-term, and possibly a new valuation.

Affordability reassessed: Combined income and debts are reassessed, this could increase your borrowing potential, but it also means the new person's credit history and existing debts now factor in.

If you're not remortgaging yet (e.g. still in a fixed deal), it may be cheaper to wait until your current deal ends to avoid early repayment charges.

You want to buy a home above your budget

Can I boost my affordability on a single income?

If you’re looking at a property that’s worth more than your general affordability range, there are a couple of options. 

• Increase your deposit Putting down a larger deposit can make it easier to buy a property that is worth more than your affordability. We know income can already be stretched, and saving more may require some time. If you have the option, you could also talk to your family about a gifted deposit.

• See shared ownership options This scheme means that you get a mortgage for a share of the property, while paying rent on the remaining share. The starting share can be between 25% and 75%, and you can start to buy more shares in the property until you own 100% of it. This scheme is currently available for new builds.

• Use a guarantor A guarantor is someone who puts their home or savings up as collateral against your borrowing, helping you to potentially get a larger mortgage. You’ll need to keep up with payments, as their home may be at risk. The potential boost to your borrowing power depends on their financial situation.

• View the First Homes scheme This is a scheme that was launched in 2021 by the government to help first-time buyers and key workers. They offer new-build properties at a 30% to 50% discount, though there are some eligibility criteria and terms. It’s also specific to certain areas and developers, so do your research to make sure there are options where you’d like to buy.

• Opt for longer mortgage term Stretching the term (e.g. 30-35 years instead of 25) lowers monthly repayments, which can improve affordability calculations. This option means you pay more interest overall.

• Reduce existing debt Paying down credit cards, loans, or car finance improves your debt-to-income ratio, which lenders weigh heavily.

• Explore Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) mortgages: A relative's income is added to the mortgage application (boosting affordability) without them being on the property title. This is useful if you want sole ownership but need income support.

How to get a mortgage as a single person

Buying alone is completely doable. You just need to know how lenders view sole applications.

1. Know your affordability

Lenders typically offer 4-4.5 your annual income (sometimes more for certain professions or lenders). Since you're relying on one income, this sets your realistic budget upfront. You can roughly calculate your mortgage affordability with our calculator.

2. Sort your deposit

Most lenders ask for 5–15% minimum. A bigger deposit lowers your loan-to-value (LTV), which usually means better interest rates.

3. Check and improve your credit score

As a sole applicant, your credit history carries the full weight of the decision, there's no second applicant to balance it out. Pay down existing debt and check your credit report before applying.

4. Get a mortgage decision in principle (MIP)

This gives you a realistic borrowing estimate based on your income, credit, and outgoings. This is useful before you start house-hunting seriously.

5. Factor in all your outgoings

Lenders stress-test your affordability against existing debts, subscriptions, and (if relevant) childcare or maintenance payments. Reducing debt before applying can boost what you're offered.

6. Consider schemes if you're a first-time buyer

Shared Ownership or the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme (5% deposit mortgages) can lower the barrier to entry if a full deposit isn't realistic yet.

7. If you need extra borrowing power

A guarantor mortgage or Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) arrangement lets a family member support your application financially without joint ownership.

8. Use a mortgage broker

A mortgage broker can match you with lenders whose criteria suit self-employed income, single-parent circumstances, or higher income multiples — since policies vary a lot between lenders.

Disclaimer:

Every effort is made to provide accurate information as of the publishing date. However, given the fast-moving nature of the mortgage market, products, rates, or lending criteria may have changed since this was written.

Sources:

* Data shown is from Mojo Mortgages' own customer records, covering the period between 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

** Data shown is from Mojo Mortgages' own customer records, covering the period between 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.