Last reviewed on 12th August 2023 by Martin Alexander (Mortgage Advisor)

If you’re thinking about getting a second property, you’ll need a second mortgage deposit to get started. The good news is because you already have a mortgage, you’ll have experience as a homeowner. Lenders will also factor this into their assessment which can help secure favourable deals.

Nonetheless, you’ll still have to meet certain criteria to get a second mortgage. Lenders do insist that deposits for second mortgages are slightly higher than deposits for first mortgages. This is simply because having two mortgages puts more financial strain on borrowers.

Although there are lots of ways to get a great mortgage deal, the right deposit amount can make all the difference. Larger deposits are of course preferred by lenders which typically give access to the best deals available.

Our advisors can also help find the best possible lender suited to your deposit amount. You can make an enquiry below and continue reading for more information on second mortgage deposit amounts.

How much do I need for a second mortgage deposit?

The amount of deposit you’ll need for a second mortgage will depend on:

• Mortgage type (residential or buy to let)
• Your conduct on your existing mortgage
• Your credit history
• Affordability (income and expenditure)
• The property type (standard or non-standard construction)

Most lenders will only offer 80% LTV deals for second mortgages, which means you should aim for a 20% deposit. That said, you may require a higher deposit amount depending on the rest of your application and the property itself. Furthermore, it may be possible to secure a second mortgage with a lower deposit.

Is your second mortgage for another home or a buy to let?

The amount you’ll need for a second mortgage deposit will largely depend on the purpose of your second property. For instance, most buy to let lenders will typically insist on a 25% deposit. As a result, if you need a second mortgage to purchase a buy to let, it’s likely you’d need 25% as a minimum.

There are buy to let lenders that may only require a 15-20% deposit, although these deals are rarely recommended. This is because the rates offered with such deals are usually higher than average. On the other hand, having a deposit of 40% or more can often unlock the best rates possible.

If your second mortgage would be for a second home, then you may only need a 15-20% deposit. Again, the rates may not be ideal. If so, you can always choose to save a higher deposit before applying for a second mortgage.

Paying two mortgages each month is a large financial commitment, so it makes sense to shop around. Saving a higher deposit can also go a really long way in helping keep your mortgage payments to a minimum.

Have you paid your existing mortgage on time?

If you’re applying for a second mortgage, your new lender will assess how you’ve repaid your first mortgage. A flawless payment record would indicate that you’re financially stable and a creditworthy applicant. Furthermore, your existing lender may even offer you a second mortgage. That being said, it’s still worth shopping around as there may be better deals elsewhere.

Lenders will also be interested in how much you owe on your current mortgage. This is so they can assess your overall liability. If you’re in negative equity for instance, then it may become difficult to get a second mortgage.

If you’ve made late payments or have mortgage arrears, it can understandably cause lenders to question your application. This also brings us to our next point.

Will I need a higher deposit if I have bad credit?

If you have bad credit, then it’s likely you’ll need a higher deposit than normal. This is subject to lenders accepting you in the first instance. If your credit issues are quite severe such as having a CCJ or you’re a discharged bankrupt, then you may be declined.

If you’re in this situation, then do make an enquiry. Our advisors specialise in mortgages that involve bad credit and also have access to specialist lenders. If you risk trying to apply yourself and you’re declined, you’ll only damage your credit file further.

On the other hand, if you have a great credit score, then lenders may see you as a creditworthy applicant. Depending on the rest of your application, you may be given access to the best possible deals. Nonetheless, it still pays to get professional advice so you can be sure you’re getting the best possible mortgage.

How does affordability affect the amount of deposit you’ll need?

Affordability is a key factor when applying for a second mortgage, especially if your second mortgage is for another home. Lenders will usually calculate your affordability by assessing your income and expenditure.

The amount you can borrow is typically between three to five times your income. Lenders then assess your outgoings such as mortgage payments, other loan payments, and credit card debt to calculate how much disposable income you have. They’ll then base their maximum loan amount on this assessment.

If a lender is happy to lend you £200,000 for instance, but the property you want to purchase is £250,000, you’ll then need a £50,000 deposit. This would be a 20% deposit with an 80% LTV mortgage.

Lenders also calculate affordability in their own way. A different lender may only lend £150,000. Then you’d need a deposit of £100,000 to purchase a £250,000 property. This would be a 40% deposit with a 60% LTV mortgage. It’s clear to see how much you’d save going to a better-suited lender.

If your second mortgage is for a buy to let property, affordability becomes slightly easier. This is because your second property will generate a rental income. The potential rental income can then be used to help your affordability in repaying the mortgage.

Why does the type of property I’m buying matter?

Lenders prefer to lend on properties built from standard construction, such as brick and tiled roofs. It becomes difficult if the property you wish to purchase is of non-standard construction.

Non-standard construction can include:

• Timber frame homes
• Oak frame homes
• Steel frame homes
• Concrete built properties
• Alternative cladding
• Flat roof
• Thatched roof

If your second property is of non-standard construction, then it’s likely you’ll need a larger-than-average deposit. This is simply because lenders see non-standard construction homes as high-risk.

You may also need a specialist lender depending on the rest of your application. If you find yourself in this position, do get in touch with our advisors.

Using equity as a deposit for a second mortgage

You may be able to remortgage to buy a second property. This can be done by releasing equity in your existing property which can then be used as a deposit for your second mortgage.

If you don’t wish to remortgage, you can also use a second charge to release equity. This may be better suited when you want to release the maximum amount of equity you can.

Whether you remortgage or use a second-charge mortgage, you’ll need to have equity in your property. Furthermore, you’ll need to meet the expectations of the lender you approach.

In cases such as these, it’s highly advised to speak to a qualified advisor. This is because remortgaging to buy another home would involve having more than one mortgage.

Can I get a second mortgage with a 10% deposit?

In all honesty, getting a second mortgage with a 10% deposit is difficult. If you want to purchase a buy to let as your second property, you’ll more than likely need a 15% deposit as a minimum and that’s only if you meet the rest of the lender’s criteria.

If you wish to purchase a second home, then you may be able to get a second mortgage with a 10% deposit. That said, there won’t be that many lenders to choose from and they may charge you higher than average rates. Furthermore, you’ll need to pass their criteria with flying colours.

From a financial perspective, the more you can save for a deposit, the better. If you have a 10% deposit or less, it may be more viable to save at least a 15-20% deposit before applying for a second mortgage. You’ll not only have less to repay, but you’ll also have more lenders and better rates to choose from.

Expert advisors for second mortgages

Whether you’re looking for a second home or a buy to let, our advisors can help. We’ll assess your overall financial profile to establish the best course of action.

Getting the best rate on one mortgage can be hard enough, but trying to do that twice at the same time is extremely difficult. We’ll make sure that lenders are suitable and are offering the best deals you qualify for. This can save you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds over your mortgage term.

Saving for a second mortgage deposit isn’t easy, so the last thing you’d want to do is miss out on a great mortgage deal. If you’ve got a quick question or wish to get started, you can make an enquiry below.