The active no-deposit routes in 2026
1. Skipton Track Record Mortgage
Launched May 2023 and the headline true no-deposit product. Criteria:
- First-time buyer only, aged 21+.
- UK resident, no adverse credit (no defaults, CCJs or missed payments in last 6 months).
- 12+ consecutive months of rental payments to a landlord/letting agent, each ≥ proposed mortgage payment.
- 12+ months of paying household bills (council tax, utilities).
- Maximum mortgage 4.49× income.
- Maximum loan typically £600,000 (excluding new-build flats — capped lower).
- Repayment only — no interest-only.
Rate in 2026: typically a 5-year fix in the 5.45%–5.85% range. Skipton remains the only lender offering true no-deposit lending to renters without family security.
2. Barclays Family Springboard
100% LTV by combining a 100% mortgage for the buyer with 10% of the purchase price placed in a Barclays Helpful Start savings account by a family helper for 5 years. The helper earns interest; the cash returns at the end of the term assuming payments stay on track. See our full Family Springboard guide.
3. Family Building Society — Family Mortgage / Guarantor
Up to 100% LTV using either parental savings (lodged) or a charge over a parent's property. Flexible criteria; older parents accepted; multiple structures combined.
4. Right to Buy 100% mortgages
Council and housing association tenants exercising Right to Buy can use the discount as their 'deposit' — effectively 100% LTV on the discounted purchase price. Lenders: Halifax, Kensington, BM Solutions, Pepper.
5. Shared ownership (often confused with 100% LTV)
Not technically 100% LTV but functionally low-deposit: you buy 25%–75% of a property and pay rent on the rest. Deposits as low as 5% of the share you buy — sometimes £2,000–£5,000 in cash.
Worked example: Skipton Track Record vs renting
A tenant paying £1,250/month rent for 18 months in Birmingham wants to buy a £190,000 flat. Track Record at 5.65% over 35 years = monthly payment ≈ £1,138. They qualify because £1,250 rent ≥ £1,138 mortgage payment. Net monthly outflow drops by £112 and they begin building equity from month one — though they take on full repair, ground rent, service charge and insurance risk.
The trade-offs to think about hard
- Negative equity risk. Zero deposit means any price fall puts you under water. A 5% drop on £200,000 = £10,000 negative equity. You can't remortgage, can't easily move, and are stuck on the lender's SVR if your fixed rate expires while underwater.
- Higher rate. 100% LTV is the most expensive band on the rate ladder by 0.30%–0.80% over 95%.
- Tighter affordability. Lenders cap income multiples lower (typically 4.49× vs 4.75× elsewhere) to compensate for risk.
- Stamp duty. No deposit doesn't mean no other costs — SDLT (if any), legal fees (£1,500–£2,500), survey (£400–£1,000), and moving costs still need cash.
- New-build restrictions. Most 100% LTV products exclude new-build flats or cap loans much lower on new-builds.
If 100% LTV isn't right, the next-best low-deposit options
- 5% deposit (95% LTV): Mortgage Guarantee Scheme lenders — Lloyds, Halifax, NatWest, Santander, Barclays.
- Shared ownership: 25%–75% share, 5% deposit on the share.
- JBSP (Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor): Parent boosts affordability without going on title — see JBSP calculator.
- Family gift deposit: Gifted deposit from parents — fastest route to lower-LTV pricing.
- First Homes scheme: 30%–50% discount on selected new-builds.
Pros
- Buy now without years of additional saving.
- Build equity from day one instead of paying landlord rent.
- Skipton Track Record needs no family financial involvement.
- Family-assisted options return cash to helper after 5 years.
- Right to Buy at 100% LTV uses the discount as effective deposit.
Cons
- 0% equity buffer — material negative-equity risk.
- 0.30%–0.80% rate premium over 95% LTV products.
- Lower income multiples cap your maximum loan.
- New-build flats often excluded or capped lower.
- Limited lender choice — only a handful of products active.