Did you know? Lone parents with children made up only 2.1% of first-time home buyers in England in 2022-23 (around 18,000 sales). By comparison, single people without kids accounted for about a third of first-time buyers (source)
This gap highlights the extra hurdles single mums may face. With typically only one salary and added expenses like childcare, affordability is a common concern.
Nevertheless, a single mother can get a mortgage in the UK. Mortgage lenders cannot refuse you just for being a single mother/parent. In fact, many single mothers successfully buy homes every year.
That said, it can be challenging to secure a mortgage on one income. This guide provides a clear overview of home financing for single mothers, from special first-time buyer programs to practical tips, to help you get on the property ladder.
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Can a Single Mother Get a Mortgage?
The good news is that there are no specific restrictions on single mothers in mortgage lending.
Lenders must treat each application on an individual basis. Which means, as a single mother, you’ll need to meet the same basic criteria as any borrower:
Sufficient income to afford repayments: You’ll have to show that your salary (and other income sources) can cover the mortgage payments plus your other expenses.
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Deposit: You generally need at least 5% of the property price as a deposit. Of course, more deposit is better as it lowers the loan to value ratio and can unlock better interest rates.
Good credit record: A history of paying bills on time and not having too much debt will make lenders more confident in approving you.
Stable employment or income: Being in a stable job or having a consistent income stream (including benefits or maintenance payments) is important for a mortgage application.
Importantly, being a single mum does not disqualify you from any mortgage products. You can approach any mainstream bank or building society.
Many single parents worry that lenders will not count certain income, like benefits or child support, but many lenders do.
For example, some major banks will take 100% of child benefit and child tax credit into account for affordability, and will also include regular child maintenance payments from an ex-partner as income if it can be evidenced as sustainable.
Every lender has its own policy: some may only count a portion of these benefits or have conditions (e.g., the children’s age or your base salary), and a few lenders might ignore them.
First-Time Buyer Schemes and Home Financing Help for Single Mothers
While there aren’t specific “single mom home buyer programs” in the UK (as of September 2025), there are several first-time buyer schemes that single mothers can take advantage of.
These are generally open to anyone who meets the criteria, but they can be especially useful if you’re on a single income:
Low-Deposit Mortgages
Saving a huge deposit is often the biggest hurdle. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need 10% or 20% deposit; some lenders offer 95% mortgages, where you put down just 5%.
These became more available thanks to the government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, which encourages banks to offer 95% loans.
Over 53,000 mortgages were completed with the help of this scheme by early 2025 (source)
In July 2025, the scheme was made permanent, so 5% deposit mortgages should remain widely available. This means as a single mum, you could buy with a relatively small upfront amount.
Shared ownership is a popular scheme for those with lower incomes. You buy a share of a property (for example 25% to 50%) and pay rent on the remaining share to a housing association.
Because you’re only buying part of the home, the deposit and mortgage required are much smaller.
For instance, buying a 50% share of a £200,000 home means you need a mortgage for £100,000, so a 5% deposit would be just £5,000.
This can put homeownership within reach for single mothers who can’t afford a full property outright.
You have the option later to “staircase” (buy more shares) when you can afford to, eventually up to 100% ownership if you choose.
First Homes Scheme
The First Homes scheme is a newer government initiative in England that aims to help local first-time buyers (often key workers or those on lower incomes) get a discount on new-build homes.
Under this scheme, eligible buyers can purchase certain new build properties at a 30% (or even up to 50%) discount off the market price.
For example, a home worth £300,000 might be sold to a first-time buyer for £210,000 (30% off). That discounted price makes your deposit and mortgage much more manageable.
The discount is retained for future sales of that property to benefit subsequent first-time buyers as well.
Check your local council or new housing developments to see if any First Homes properties are offered. Availability is limited since the scheme is relatively new, but it’s worth keeping an eye out as it grows.
Right to Buy (Council Tenants)
If you happen to be a single mum living in a council house or flat (or a housing association property in some cases), you might be eligible for Right to Buy (or Right to Acquire for housing association homes).
This program allows long-term tenants to purchase their home at a significant discount, which can range from tens of thousands of pounds off the market value, depending on how long you’ve been a tenant.
Many single parents have used Right to Buy to become homeowners, since the discount effectively forms your deposit equity – lenders often accept the discount in lieu of a cash deposit.
How To Improve Your Mortgage Approval Chances As A Single Mother
Save a bigger deposit: Aim for at least a 10-15% deposit, if possible. The more you put down, the better rates and chances you’ll get.
Improve your credit: Pay bills on time, reduce debts, and avoid new loans before applying.
Count all income: Include child benefit, maintenance, or tax/universal credits if the lender accepts them. Keep documents ready.
Check affordability: Make a budget, test if you can handle the payments, and factor in extra costs like council tax.
Use family help: A joint borrower option, or gifted deposit from relatives can boost approval.
Be flexible when buying: Explore cheaper areas or property types, and look out for shared ownership or new-build deals.
Connect with a mortgage advisor: As a single mother, you may have unique circumstances, and an experienced mortgage advisor will know how to present your case in the best light to lenders. Enter your details and we’ll connect you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a mortgage as a single mother if I’m on benefits or Universal Credit?
Yes, it’s possible, though it may be more challenging. Lenders will consider income from employment first, but many will also count certain benefits (like Universal Credit housing element, child benefit, or tax credits) as part of your income.
Do mortgage lenders count child maintenance and child benefit as income?
Many do, yes. Most high street lenders will include child benefit payments and child maintenance (support from your ex-partner) when calculating your income.
Are there any grants for single mothers to buy a house?
There aren’t specific government grants for single mothers to purchase homes in the UK.
How much deposit does a single mother need to buy a home?
The requirement isn’t any different for a single mother than for anyone else. In general, you’ll need a minimum 5% deposit of the property’s price to get a mortgage.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
All content is written by qualified mortgage advisors to provide current, reliable and accurate mortgage information. The information on this website is not specific for each individual reader and therefore does not constitute financial advice.
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