--- title: "First Time Buyer Guide UK 2026 — Complete Step-by-Step Walkthrough | First Rung Now" description: "First time buyer guide UK 2026: deposits, credit, stamp duty, schemes, mortgage in principle, offer, conveyancing and completion — the whole journey explai..." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "First Rung Now", "url": "https://firstrungnow.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://firstrungnow.com/logo-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 }, "description": "Independent UK mortgage education and broker matching service.", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "First Rung Now", "url": "https://firstrungnow.com" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "First Time Buyer Guide UK", "description": "First time buyer guide UK 2026: deposits, credit, stamp duty, schemes, mortgage in principle, offer, conveyancing and completion — the whole journey explained.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "First Rung Now" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "First Rung Now", "url": "https://firstrungnow.com" }, "mainEntityOfPage": "https://firstrungnow.com/first-time-buyer-guide-uk", "datePublished": "2026-06-15", "dateModified": "2026-06-15", "inLanguage": "en-GB" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://firstrungnow.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Mortgage Guides", "item": "https://firstrungnow.com/mortgage-guides" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "First-Time Buyer Guide UK", "item": "https://firstrungnow.com/first-time-buyer-guide-uk" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does it take to buy a first home in the UK?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "From offer accepted to keys, expect 12–16 weeks on average in 2026. A chain-free purchase with a straightforward freehold house can complete in 8 weeks. Leasehold flats and long chains routinely stretch to 20 weeks. Before you even make an offer, most first-time buyers spend 3–9 months saving, sorting credit, and getting a mortgage in principle." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the minimum salary needed to buy a first home in the UK?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "There's no fixed floor — lenders assess affordability, not headline salary. On the 2026 UK average house price of ~£286,000, a 10% deposit and a 4.5× loan multiple would need a household income of around £57,000. In lower-cost areas (parts of the North East, Wales, Scotland) £25,000–£30,000 single income can still buy a modest home. Shared ownership and First Homes discounts push the minimum lower still." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty in the UK?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Since April 2025 first-time buyer relief in England and NI: 0% on the first £300,000 of a property costing up to £500,000; 5% on the portion £300,001–£500,000; nothing above £500k qualifies for relief. Scotland (LBTT) and Wales (LTT) have their own FTB reliefs — different thresholds. See our dedicated stamp duty guide." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is it better to save a bigger deposit or buy sooner?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Usually bigger deposit until you cross a Loan-to-Value band boundary (95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 60%). Each band you drop unlocks materially cheaper rates. Beyond 60% LTV, extra saving delivers diminishing returns and you're often better buying and starting to build equity — especially if you're paying market rent in the meantime." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I buy a first home with student debt?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. UK student loan repayments (Plan 1, 2, 4, 5, Postgrad) are treated by lenders as a committed monthly outgoing, reducing your affordability by roughly the monthly repayment × ~150. They do not appear on your credit file and don't damage your credit score. Most first-time buyers with student loans complete without issue." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What credit score do first-time buyers need?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "There is no universal number — lenders don't use Experian/Equifax scores directly, they use their own scorecards. In practice most mainstream FTB lenders (Halifax, Nationwide, Santander, Barclays) want no missed payments in 12 months, no defaults in 3 years, no CCJs. If your score is thin (low file), 3–6 months of a small credit card paid in full monthly will usually be enough." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Should I use a mortgage broker as a first-time buyer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For most FTBs, yes. A whole-of-market broker sees products from 90+ lenders, spots criteria mismatches before they trigger a decline (which itself leaves a footprint on your credit file), and often accesses intermediary-only rates that aren't on comparison sites. Broker fees typically range from £0 (procuration-only) to £500. Our matching service connects you with FCA-regulated FTB specialists." } } ] } ] --- [Skip to content](#main) [London 020 8088 2997 ](tel:02080882997)[National 0333 567 1185 ](tel:03335671185) [![First Rung Now](/assets/logo-mark-CNo3p3DP.png) First Rung Now UK Mortgage Guides ](/) - Mortgages - Remortgages - Buy To Let - Bad Credit - Calculators - Guides - [Find a Broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) - [About](/about) [London 020 8088 2997 ](tel:02080882997)[National 0333 567 1185 ](tel:03335671185) [Speak to a Vetted Broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Mortgage Guides](/mortgage-guides) 3. First-Time Buyer Guide UK UK Mortgage Guide # First-Time Buyer Guide UK: The Complete 2026 Step-by-Step Playbook Buying your first home in the UK is the largest financial decision most people ever make — and the process has never been more crowded with jargon, changing schemes and moving-target lender criteria. This guide walks you end-to-end through the 2026 first-time buyer journey: from the six months before you can even apply, through mortgage in principle, offer, survey, conveyancing and completion. Every step is written for real people buying real homes — not for brokers, lenders or estate agents. First Rung Now Editorial Updated 15 June 2026 7 min read On this page 1. [Key takeaways](#key-takeaways) 2. [Stage 1: The six months before you can apply](#stage-1-the-six-months-before-you-can-apply) 3. [Clean your credit file](#clean-your-credit-file) 4. [Manage current-account behaviour](#manage-current-account-behaviour) 5. [Evidence your income cleanly](#evidence-your-income-cleanly) 6. [Stage 2: How much deposit do you actually need?](#stage-2-how-much-deposit-do-you-actually-need) 7. [Speak with a vetted mortgage broker about first-time buyer mortgages and deposit strategy](#speak-with-a-vetted-mortgage-broker-about-first-time-buyer-mortgages-and-deposit-strategy) 8. [Stage 3: Government schemes and discounts](#stage-3-government-schemes-and-discounts) 9. [Stage 4: Mortgage in Principle (MIP)](#stage-4-mortgage-in-principle-mip) 10. [Stage 5: House hunting and making an offer](#stage-5-house-hunting-and-making-an-offer) 11. [Stage 6: Survey and mortgage application](#stage-6-survey-and-mortgage-application) 12. [Stage 7: Conveyancing — the invisible work](#stage-7-conveyancing-the-invisible-work) 13. [Stage 8: Exchange and completion](#stage-8-exchange-and-completion) 14. [Real 2026 FTB budget example](#real-2026-ftb-budget-example) 15. [Pros](#pros) 16. [Cons](#cons) 17. [Frequently asked questions](#frequently-asked-questions) 18. [How long does it take to buy a first home in the UK?](#how-long-does-it-take-to-buy-a-first-home-in-the-uk) 19. [What is the minimum salary needed to buy a first home in the UK?](#what-is-the-minimum-salary-needed-to-buy-a-first-home-in-the-uk) 20. [Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty in the UK?](#do-first-time-buyers-pay-stamp-duty-in-the-uk) 21. [Is it better to save a bigger deposit or buy sooner?](#is-it-better-to-save-a-bigger-deposit-or-buy-sooner) 22. [Can I buy a first home with student debt?](#can-i-buy-a-first-home-with-student-debt) 23. [What credit score do first-time buyers need?](#what-credit-score-do-first-time-buyers-need) 24. [Should I use a mortgage broker as a first-time buyer?](#should-i-use-a-mortgage-broker-as-a-first-time-buyer) 25. [Related guides](#related-guides) 26. [How Much Deposit Do First-Time Buyers Need?](#how-much-deposit-do-first-time-buyers-need) 27. [First-Time Buyer Stamp Duty 2026](#first-time-buyer-stamp-duty-2026) 28. [Lifetime ISA for First-Time Buyers](#lifetime-isa-for-first-time-buyers) 29. [First-Time Buyer Schemes UK](#first-time-buyer-schemes-uk) 30. [The Real Costs of Buying Your First Home](#the-real-costs-of-buying-your-first-home) 31. [How Much Can I Borrow as a First-Time Buyer?](#how-much-can-i-borrow-as-a-first-time-buyer) ### First-time buyers — related reads MIPs, deposits, schemes and the UK buying process. - [Does an MIP include your deposit? Why your MIP is the loan only, and how to work out your real purchase budget. ](/mortgage-in-principle-deposit) - [House buying timeline What actually happens — and how long it takes — between offer accepted and keys. ](/house-buying-timeline) - [£300k home loan Salary, deposit, monthly cost and stamp duty for a £300,000 mortgage. ](/300k-home-loan) - [Help to Buy calculator Equity loan repayment maths and the schemes that replaced Help to Buy in England. ](/help-to-buy-calculator-mortgage) - [No deposit mortgage Every active UK 100% LTV product and the trade-offs that decide fit. ](/no-deposit-mortgage) Explore the hubs [Mortgages explained](/mortgages)[Remortgages](/remortgages)[Buy-to-let mortgages](/buy-to-let)[Bad credit mortgages](/bad-credit-mortgages)[Mortgage calculators](/mortgage-calculators)[All mortgage guides](/mortgage-guides)[Find a mortgage broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) ## Key takeaways - Budget 12–16 weeks from offer accepted to completion, plus 3–9 months prep. - 5% deposit is the practical minimum on the open market; 10%+ opens far better rates. - First-time buyer stamp duty relief runs to £500,000 (England/NI) — different in Scotland and Wales. - A whole-of-market broker beats DIY for most FTBs; comparison sites miss intermediary-only products. - Never let more than 2 lenders hard-search your credit file inside 3 months. ## Stage 1: The six months before you can apply Want a vetted broker to help with Stage 1: The six months before you can apply? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) The mortgage decision is really made months before you speak to a lender. What sits on your credit file, in your current account and in your deposit pot on the day you apply is what the lender underwrites — not what you promise to do next month. Use the six months before application to do three things: clean your credit file, evidence income clearly, and finish saving your deposit into an account you can prove ownership of. ### Clean your credit file Pull free reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion (via CheckMyFile or the free tiers). Check for: (a) any missed payments — one 30-day late payment in the last 12 months can push you off high-street rates; (b) old defaults still showing when they should have dropped off after 6 years; (c) addresses that shouldn't be linked to you; (d) financial associations with ex-partners still showing after separation. Dispute errors early — it can take 4–8 weeks for a correction to filter through. ### Manage current-account behaviour Since Consumer Duty and modern affordability checks came in, lenders comb through 3 months of bank statements looking for: gambling transactions (an outright red flag at some lenders — Nationwide and Halifax are strict), regular overdraft usage, undisclosed loans, and buy-now-pay-later commitments (Klarna, Clearpay). BNPL doesn't hit your Experian score but Klarna Pay in 30 now reports to credit bureaux for new users — assume it's visible. ### Evidence your income cleanly Employed on PAYE: three latest payslips plus latest P60 covers 95% of lenders. Bonus, commission and overtime? You'll need 2 years' evidence — most lenders take 50% of variable pay. Self-employed: 2 years of SA302 and tax year overviews, or 2 years of certified limited company accounts. Contractors: a rolling 12-month day-rate CV with current contract works with contractor-friendly lenders (Halifax, Clydesdale, Kensington). ## Stage 2: How much deposit do you actually need? Related · keep reading - [Bad credit mortgage checker Place your situation on the lender severity scale and see what a specialist will accept. ](/bad-credit-mortgage-checker) - [Bad credit second mortgage Secured second charges as an alternative to remortgaging when credit has slipped. ](/bad-credit-second-mortgage) Browse the full hub: [All mortgage guides](/mortgage-guides) Want a vetted broker to help with Stage 2: How much deposit do you actually need?? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) The absolute minimum on the open market is 5% (a 95% Loan-to-Value mortgage). One 100% LTV route exists for renters through Skipton's Track Record product — see our [no deposit FTB guide](/no-deposit-mortgage-for-first-time-buyers). But the deposit you _need_ and the deposit that gets you the _best deal_ are different numbers. - **5% (95% LTV):** Rates in 2026 typically 5.10%–5.65% on a 5-year fix. Product choice is limited to ~40 lenders. - **10% (90% LTV):** Rates drop to 4.65%–5.15%. Almost every UK lender competes. - **15% (85% LTV):** 4.45%–4.85%. The value sweet spot for most FTBs. - **25% (75% LTV):** 4.15%–4.55%. Materially cheaper — worth waiting for if you're close. Where does deposit come from? Personal savings, gifted deposits from family (all mainstream lenders accept — a signed gift letter is required), Lifetime ISA (up to £4,000/year with 25% government bonus — see our [LISA guide](/lifetime-isa-first-time-buyer)), Help to Save bonus, and inheritance. Loans as deposit are unacceptable at every high-street lender — they must be a gift with no repayment obligation. Vetted UK Broker Match ### Speak with a vetted mortgage broker about first-time buyer mortgages and deposit strategy Free, no-obligation introduction to an FCA-regulated adviser with experience in your specific scenario. We've done the due diligence so you don't have to. - FCA-regulated only - Typical reply in 1 working day - No upfront fees [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) ## Stage 3: Government schemes and discounts Want a vetted broker to help with Stage 3: Government schemes and discounts? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) The Help to Buy Equity Loan closed to new applications in England in 2023, but the FTB support landscape is still meaningful in 2026: 1. **First Homes scheme (England):** 30%–50% discount on selected new-builds for local FTBs. Priority to keyworkers and armed forces. See our [First Homes guide](/first-homes-scheme). 2. **Shared Ownership:** Buy 25%–75% of a property, pay subsidised rent on the rest. Deposits from £2,000. See our [Shared Ownership guide](/shared-ownership-first-time-buyer). 3. **Lifetime ISA:** Save up to £4,000/year, get a 25% government bonus (£1,000/year free money). Available to under-40s. 4. **Mortgage Guarantee Scheme (permanent):** Underpins high-street 95% LTV products. 5. **Help to Buy Wales:** Equity loan of up to 20% still active on new-builds in Wales. 6. **Low-cost Initiative for First-Time Buyers (LIFT) Scotland:** Open Market and New Supply routes. 7. **Co-Ownership Housing (Northern Ireland):** Buy a 50%–90% share; NIHE takes the rest. ## Stage 4: Mortgage in Principle (MIP) Related · keep reading - [Bad credit with a large deposit How a 25%+ deposit unlocks rates adverse-credit borrowers thought were closed. ](/mortgage-with-bad-credit-but-large-deposit) - [Contractor mortgages with bad credit Day-rate and limited-company contractors: which specialist lenders will look at you. ](/mortgages-for-contractors-with-bad-credit) Browse the full hub: [All mortgage guides](/mortgage-guides) Want a vetted broker to help with Stage 4: Mortgage in Principle (MIP)? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) An MIP (also called AIP or DIP) is a lender's non-binding indication of how much they'd lend you. Estate agents will refuse to put your offer forward without one from March 2026 onwards — it's become the property market's basic proof of financial capacity. MIPs from most lenders use a soft credit search (no footprint) but a small number still hard-search — Barclays and HSBC among them. Never accept more than two hard searches in any 3-month window. A good broker will run affordability calculators for 5–10 lenders using softs before recommending one to formally MIP with. See our [mortgage in principle guide](/mortgage-in-principle-deposit). ## Stage 5: House hunting and making an offer Want a vetted broker to help with Stage 5: House hunting and making an offer? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) Register with every estate agent covering your target area, not just the ones with your favourite listings. In hot markets 30%+ of properties sell to buyers who saw them before they hit Rightmove. Set Rightmove and Zoopla alerts. When you find a home you love: - Offer via email, not phone — you want a paper trail. - Include your MIP amount, deposit source, chain position and target completion date. - Ask the agent to remove it from public marketing on acceptance. - Instruct a conveyancer within 48 hours — they need to be ready to move. ## Stage 6: Survey and mortgage application Related · keep reading - [Poor credit mortgage lenders The specialist UK lenders most willing to price recent adverse credit. ](/poor-credit-mortgage-lenders) - [MIP with bad credit Getting a credible MIP when your file shows defaults, CCJs or missed payments. ](/mortgage-in-principle-bad-credit) Browse the full hub: [All mortgage guides](/mortgage-guides) Want a vetted broker to help with Stage 6: Survey and mortgage application? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) Once your offer is accepted, submit the full mortgage application. The lender orders a valuation (the basic one is free with most FTB deals — you don't have to accept it as your survey). You then choose your own survey level: - **RICS Level 1 (Condition Report):** £300–£450. Fine for new-builds under 10 years old. - **RICS Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report):** £450–£900. Right for most standard 20th-century homes. - **RICS Level 3 (Building Survey):** £600–£1,500+. Essential for pre-1930s properties, extensions, thatched roofs, timber-framed, or anything unusual. In Scotland the seller provides a Home Report before marketing — a Level 2-equivalent survey plus energy report and property questionnaire. You still commonly commission your own if the Home Report is stale. ## Stage 7: Conveyancing — the invisible work Want a vetted broker to help with Stage 7: Conveyancing — the invisible work? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) Your conveyancer runs Local Authority searches (planning history, road adoption, contaminated land), Environmental and Water searches, raises enquiries with the seller's solicitor, reviews the title, drafts the contract and TR1 transfer, and holds your deposit ready for exchange. Fixed-fee conveyancers cost £900–£1,600 including disbursements for a standard freehold FTB purchase in 2026. Leasehold adds £250–£500 for lease review and management pack fees. See our [FTB conveyancing guide](/first-time-buyer-conveyancing). ## Stage 8: Exchange and completion Related · keep reading - [First-time buyer with adverse credit How first-time buyers with credit issues get onto the ladder in 2026. ](/first-time-buyer-adverse-credit-mortgages) - [Bad credit bridging loan Short-term asset-backed lending when adverse credit closes high-street doors. ](/bad-credit-bridging-loan) Browse the full hub: [All mortgage guides](/mortgage-guides) Want a vetted broker to help with Stage 8: Exchange and completion? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) Exchange of contracts is the point of no return — deposits are non-refundable and completion dates become legally binding. It typically happens 8–12 weeks after offer accepted. Completion can be same-day as exchange or up to 4 weeks later depending on chain preference. On completion morning your solicitor sends the balance to the seller's solicitor, the seller receives funds, keys are released to the agent, and you collect them. Your first mortgage payment is usually 4–8 weeks later depending on the completion date within the lender's billing cycle. ## Real 2026 FTB budget example Want a vetted broker to help with Real 2026 FTB budget example? Free FCA-regulated introduction. We carefully check the broker matches your scenario — no pressure, no upfront fees. [Match me with a broker](/find-a-mortgage-broker) £240,000 3-bed terrace in Nottingham, FTB couple with £24,000 deposit (10%): - Deposit: £24,000 - Stamp duty: £0 (below £300k threshold) - Legal fees: £1,350 - Level 2 survey: £550 - Mortgage arrangement fee: £999 (added to loan) - Removal costs: £400 - Buildings insurance (annual): £220 - Total cash needed on day: £26,520 Monthly mortgage at 4.85% over 30 years (repayment): £1,138/month. Add £220 council tax, £110 utilities, £120 buildings & life cover = total housing cost £1,588/month. ### Pros - Building equity from month one rather than paying a landlord's mortgage. - Locking in a fixed housing cost while rents keep rising. - Full control over the property — paint, pets, renovate. - First-time buyer stamp duty relief saves up to £11,250. - Lifetime ISA bonus can add £4,000+ to a couple's deposit over 2 years. ### Cons - Committing to a 25–35 year debt at the highest rate you'll ever pay (highest LTV). - All maintenance, service charge and repair costs fall to you. - Reduced flexibility to move for jobs or relationships. - Property values can and do fall — negative equity is possible at 95%+ LTV. - Upfront cash-in costs of £3k–£6k on top of the deposit. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does it take to buy a first home in the UK? ### What is the minimum salary needed to buy a first home in the UK? ### Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty in the UK? ### Is it better to save a bigger deposit or buy sooner? ### Can I buy a first home with student debt? ### What credit score do first-time buyers need? ### Should I use a mortgage broker as a first-time buyer? ## Related guides [ ### How Much Deposit Do First-Time Buyers Need? 5% vs 10% vs 15% — the LTV bands and what each unlocks. Read guide ](/first-time-buyer-deposit)[ ### First-Time Buyer Stamp Duty 2026 Relief thresholds explained for England, Scotland, Wales and NI. Read guide ](/first-time-buyer-stamp-duty)[ ### Lifetime ISA for First-Time Buyers How to bank up to £1,000/year in free government bonus. Read guide ](/lifetime-isa-first-time-buyer)[ ### First-Time Buyer Schemes UK First Homes, Shared Ownership, LISA, MGS, LIFT and Co-Ownership compared. Read guide ](/first-time-buyer-schemes-uk)[ ### The Real Costs of Buying Your First Home Every fee, tax and one-off cost — no surprises. Read guide ](/first-time-buyer-costs)[ ### How Much Can I Borrow as a First-Time Buyer? Income multiples, affordability tests and stretch lenders. Read guide ](/how-much-can-i-borrow-first-time-buyer) First-Time Buyer Match ### Get matched with a first-time buyer mortgage specialist Free, no-obligation introduction to an FCA-regulated broker who works with first-time buyers every day — whatever your stage, deposit or credit profile. - FCA-regulated brokers only - Typical reply in 1 working day - No upfront fees — your data goes to one broker only Full name Email Phone Postcode Where are you in your journey? Select your stage… Just researching Saving my deposit Ready to get a mortgage in principle Have an MIP, viewing properties Had an offer accepted Anything else? (optional) Match me with a broker By submitting you agree to be contacted by First Rung Now and one matched FCA-regulated broker. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. First Rung Now Independent UK mortgage education and broker matching. 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