First Start boosts the borrowing power of first time buyers and movers, by combining their income with that of a sponsor.
First Start boosts the borrowing power of first time buyers and movers, by combining their income with that of a sponsor. So together they can borrow more, responsibly. It's also available to buyers who have been out of the property market for a while, or who need to buy a property on their own, for example if their personal circumstances have changed.
A sponsor is a close relative, normally a parent or step parent of the applicant, who is added to the mortgage as a co-borrower.
First Start could be the ideal way for a sponsor to help their children or close relative buy a home. Using their income means they can help financially with the monthly repayments now, rather than later with something like an inheritance.
It gives you the power to reach more buyers and could help more buyers onto the property ladder.
First Start takes the sponsor’s income into account as well as the applicant’s – boosting the overall amount that can be borrowed.
Together, the sponsor and applicant can borrow up to 95% of the value of the property. It’s available for purchases only on a repayment basis, up to £500,000. Check our lending criteria for full details.
Both parties are co-borrowers, and jointly and individually liable for the monthly mortgage repayments, as well as the total mortgage loan.
Expand the options below to see examples of increased borrowing power with First Start. In each example the first table shows what you could borrow on your own and the second table shows what you could achieve by combining your income with a sponsor.
Borrowing power on your own
| Applicant 1 income | Applicant 2 income | Borrowing power |
| £25,000 | n/a | £112,500 |
As a single applicant, you could borrow £112,500
Borrowing power with First Start
| Applicant 1 income | Sponsor income | Borrowing power |
| £25,000 | £50,000 | £336,750 |
With the help of a sponsor you could borrow £336,750
Borrowing power increases by £224,500
Borrowing power with a partner
| Applicant 1 income | Applicant 2 income | Borrowing power |
| £32,000 | £28,000 | £269,400 |
As joint applicants, you could borrow £269,400
Borrowing power with First Start
| Applicant 1 income | Sponsor income | Borrowing power |
| £32,000 | £80,000 | £500,000 |
With the help of a sponsor, you could borrow £500,000
Borrowing power increases by £230,600
Head over to our First Start affordability calculator so you can calculate your client's affordability.
Need help? Head over to our First Start calculator help page.
