What’s the average first-time buyer deposit in 2025?

In England, the average first time buyer deposit is a whopping £68,154, according to the latest mortgage data from UK Finance. However, property in England is more expensive than other nations in the UK.

In Northern Ireland, the typical first-time buyer deposit is £39,034.50, while in Wales and Scotland, buyers are stumping up £34,475.91 and £30,786.97 respectively.

The table below, shows average deposits for regions across the UK:

Source: UK Finance Key Mortgage Market Data

How much deposit do first-time buyers need to pay?

Wherever you live in the UK, there’s no denying that typical first-time buyer deposits are pretty daunting.

However, average first time buyer deposits simply provide an indication of what other buyers are paying and will cover a broad spectrum. How much you will need to pay to secure your first home will depend on where you’re buying, your financial situation and the mortgage you choose.

In some cases, it may even be possible to buy a property without a deposit.

A handful of lenders offer so-called 100% mortgages where you borrow the full purchase price of your property.

However, there are usually strings attached.

For example, you may need to be able to demonstrate you have a strong track record of paying rent and utility bills without any problems or call on the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ to invest some savings into a linked account to provide some security in lieu of a deposit.

The rate on a 100% mortgage won’t be particularly competitive either. If you can put some money down, even if it’s less than the average deposit, and bring down the loan to value (LTV) on your mortgage, you should be able to benefit from cheaper rates and reduce your monthly repayments.

If you can afford to put down a 25% deposit (with 75% LTV)  you should be able to get a much better rate than you would with a 5% or 10% deposit (95% and 90% LTV). 

The bigger your deposit, the more commitment you are showing to the purchase, and the lower risk your loan application will seem to lenders. 

Take the example of a borrower with a 95% mortgage, house prices would only need to fall by 6% for them to be in negative equity (where their outstanding loan is greater than the value of their property).

With a 90% loan, buyers have a greater investment in the property, and prices would need to fall by 11% before they enter the same territory.

You are also more likely to meet your lender’s affordability criteria if you can afford to pay a bigger deposit.

How can I boost my deposit?

Saving for a first-time buyer house deposit is hard work - especially if you are also paying rent. 

However, there are ways to boost your savings and reach your target faster. Alternatively, you may be able to access schemes that will help you take your next step.

• Consider a lifetime ISA: Each year you can save or invest up to £4,000 and get a 25% bonus (worth up to £1,000) from the government in a lifetime ISA. Lifetime ISAs are available for savers under the age of 40 but can only be accessed to buy your first home with a mortgage or to fund your later life. You can also only use a lifetime ISA to buy a property worth a maximum of £450,000.

• Consult the Bank of Mum and Dad: More than half (57%) of first-time buyers get help from their parents when they buy their first home, according to Savills. Your parents don’t necessarily need to gift you money for a deposit as some mortgage lenders will let you use your parent’s property or savings as security instead.

• Buy a new build: If you have a 5% deposit and are considering a new build home, you may be able to access the Deposit Unlock scheme. This provides an insurance-backed guarantee that allows you to access more competitive mortgage rates.

Should I buy now or save for longer?

If you’ve only got a small deposit, it can be tough deciding whether to buy now with a more expensive high LTV mortgage, or carry on saving until you can afford to put down another 5% or 10%.

While a bigger deposit will give you access to a broader range of lenders and deals, there may still be an argument for buying now with a small deposit.

Getting on the property ladder sooner should mean you start to benefit from rising house prices and potentially mean you stop paying rent.

Get expert mortgage advice

It’s often difficult for first time buyers to work out how much they need to save.

Whether you’ve got a small deposit tucked away, or have saved the typical first-time buyer deposit, there’s a lot to think about before you put an offer in on a property and apply for a mortgage.

Before you start making any decisions, it’s a good idea to get advice from a qualified mortgage broker.

With expert knowledge of lenders and the deals available, they will be able to help you work out what you can afford and recommend the right mortgage for you.