Gift
Funds transferred with a gift letter confirming no repayment. Often the cleanest for the buyer's borrowing assessment.
Watch: Document the gift properly; large cash movements need a clear paper trail.
Family assist & guarantors
Help the kids buy — without putting the family home at risk by accident
Gifts, family loans and guarantees are three very different tools. We help buyers and parents understand the trade-offs, compare lender products, and structure help with an exit plan — before anyone signs.
Three ways families help
General information only — not legal or personalised financial advice. Your solicitor should review gift letters and guarantee documents.
Family loan
Parents lend the deposit (or more) with written terms. Can still work — but repayments may reduce how much the buyer can borrow.
Watch: Agree interest, repayment and what happens on sale or relationship breakdown.
Guarantee / family equity
Parents' home or equity supports the loan if the buyer defaults. Some products allow a partial guarantee that can be released later.
Watch: Highest risk for helpers — understand worst-case and exit strategy before signing.
Before anyone signs
Questions worth asking together
We recommend a joint chat — buyers plus helpers — so everyone hears the same explanation of risk, clawbacks and exit paths.
- What happens if the buyer can't meet repayments?
- How long should a guarantee last — and how do we exit?
- Is help a gift to one child fair to siblings?
- Could this affect the parents' own borrowing or retirement plans?
- Do we need independent legal advice on the guarantee documents?
Why an adviser helps here
- ·Lender products for family equity and guarantor release differ
- ·We can often reduce how much parental support is needed
- ·Clear written scenarios beat hallway assumptions
- ·We flag when independent legal advice is essential
Next step
Book a joint chat
Mention family assist or guarantor when you enquire so we can include helpers on the call. No pressure — just a clear map of options.