We want to buy but only one of us earns enough

You can usually still buy together. On a joint mortgage lenders combine both incomes, so a smaller second income still adds to what you can borrow. If one of you has little or no income, a parent can sometimes boost the borrowing through a JBSP or guarantor arrangement. The right setup depends on your incomes and your plans.

A joint mortgage combines both incomes

The simplest route is a joint mortgage, where lenders assess your combined income and outgoings. Even if one of you earns much more, the smaller income still counts and lifts your borrowing. Both of you own the home and both are responsible for the payments. For most couples where one is the main earner, this alone solves the problem.

If one income is very low or absent

If one of you has little or no income, perhaps studying, caring, or between jobs, the combined figure may not stretch far enough. Family can sometimes help: a JBSP arrangement lets a parent add their income to boost your borrowing without owning the home, and a guarantor mortgage lets them back the loan. A larger deposit, including a gifted deposit, also reduces how much you need to borrow.

Where to go next

Start with the first-time buyer hub, which covers deposits and family help. A regulated broker can work out how much two incomes (plus any family support) will borrow, and which lenders treat your mix most generously. We introduce you to one.