Guides
UK House Deposit Guide — 5%, 10% or 15%?
8 min read · Published 30 May 2026
A UK deposit sits between 5% and 25% of the property price. What you choose affects your rate, your monthly payment and your risk. Here's the trade-off.
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5% — the fastest route in
Available on most lenders under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme.
Rates are ~0.5–0.9% higher than 10%, adding £600–£1,200/year on a £200k mortgage.
10% — the sensible middle
Substantially better rates than 5%. Most UK first-time buyers land here.
On a £250k home, that's £25,000 plus £3–5k in fees.
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15%+ — best rates, most flexibility
Unlocks the lowest tier of mortgage rates.
Adds ~5% to the pot but often saves 5x that in interest over the term.
Use the Lifetime ISA
£4,000/year in, £1,000 government bonus. Free money for eligible first-time buyers under 40.
Property price cap: £450,000. Withdraw only for a first home or age 60.
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