Can a student get a mortgage?
Sponsored feature | Rachel Zschieschang, Mortgage Advice Bureau
With many students returning to education this month, it is commonly agreed that when it comes to student accommodation, most do not expect a five-star rating.
But when you pay your landlord a substantial amount each month, and on time, yet they don’t cover the basics like fixing the broken washing machine or giving your bedroom a fresh lick of paint from the previous tenant, you easily start to question where your money is going – and often it’s towards paying off your landlord’s mortgage on the property.
If you are feeling bogged down by all this, you might want to consider becoming your own landlord by taking out your own mortgage as a student. Investing in a mortgage as a student is not only potentially a cheaper alternative in the long run, but you could also have a place to call your own.
Why get a mortgage as a student?
In a nutshell, many people look to get a mortgage as a student to:
- save money
- get on the property ladder as quickly as possible.
Student mortgages are for 18+ students in higher education, usually with two years left of their course, and they’re often taken out by people who have access to a lump sum of money - perhaps inheritance or a savings account that you’ve always paid into - which can be used for a deposit.
If your plan isn’t to stick around after you graduate, you can always sell your house and use the money to give you a head start in your next venture. Whether you stay in the property or move on, you would have hopefully made a saving and given yourself an advantage by getting on the property ladder earlier than your peers.
Many parents choose to help their children financially, whether that’s paying towards university course fees or rental payments. If you do have parents who are willing to help you, then it’s worth sending this article over to them to have a read.
What kind of property can I buy?
All lenders have different criteria, but generally speaking the requirements are:
- have a property within a 10-mile radius from your university
- buy either a three or four-bedroom house.
If you’re considering renting out rooms, bear in mind you can only rent out rooms that are listed. Renting out rooms is a popular option as the rent money could cover, or contribute to, your mortgage costs each month.
How can I get a student mortgage?
Since student mortgages are becoming increasingly popular, finding lenders who offer them is easier than ever before. But without a full-time job, many lenders tend to reject applications for student mortgages, as they’re a high risk.
However, there are certain things you can do to make yourself a more attractive borrow. These include putting down a large deposit and having a mortgage guarantor.
Putting down a large deposit means you’re less of a risk to lend to. Many lenders will ask for a 10 per cent deposit, but if you don’t have this much, we recommend you speak to a mortgage adviser as they might have access to more specialist lenders that don’t require a large deposit. A mortgage adviser will also be able to advise whether it’s worth taking the time to save more money for a deposit, or if this might outweigh the benefits of getting on the property ladder as soon as possible.
Who can be your guarantor?
Basically, a guarantor is someone who has your back should you not be able to pay your mortgage back. A guarantor is usually either your parent(s), grandparents or legal guardian, and must adhere to the following criteria:
- not be over 65 at the time of application
- have a property in the UK and
- be a UK resident.
As your guarantor is responsible for paying the mortgage in the event that payments are not made on time, they must be able to prove they have a minimum sustainable income. For some lenders, in the case where both parents live together, it’s a requirement that they both act as guarantors.
Student mortgages are dependent on your guarantor not only for security measures, but also for their credit history. This is because as a student, and assumingly a first-time buyer, you may have very minimal credit information; too little to build up a real picture of your credit history anyway. There are ways you can improve your credit score, if you’re concerned your guarantor might have a bad credit history.
If you think a student mortgage might be right for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch me on 07375 886347 and I’ll be able to talk you through the process. Or visit our website at mortgageadvicebureau.com/cambridge.
Because we play by the book, we want to tell you that your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage. There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances, but a typical fee is up to one per cent of the amount borrowed.
Read more
What is mortgage payment protection insurance?
