House Deposit Calculator
See how much deposit you need for a home, what's still left to save, and how long it will take at your monthly saving rate.
How much deposit do you need?
Your deposit is the cash you put towards a home up front. The rest is covered by your mortgage. Lenders describe the mortgage as a loan-to-value, or LTV — a 10% deposit leaves a 90% LTV mortgage.
Most lenders accept a 5% to 10% deposit, but a bigger deposit usually unlocks lower interest rates because the lender takes on less risk. A 25% deposit (75% LTV) often reaches the best rates on offer.
Remember the deposit is not the only cash you need up front. Stamp duty, legal fees, surveys, and moving costs all sit on top, so budget for those as well.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a good deposit for a house?
- Many first-time buyers start with a 5% to 10% deposit. A 15% to 25% deposit usually gets you lower interest rates because the lender is taking less risk. The right size depends on your savings, the rate you want, and how soon you want to buy.
- What does loan-to-value (LTV) mean?
- Loan-to-value is the size of your mortgage as a percentage of the property price. If you put down a 10% deposit, the mortgage covers the other 90%, so it is a 90% LTV mortgage. A lower LTV usually means a better interest rate.
- How long will it take to save a deposit?
- It depends on how much you already have and how much you can put away each month. This calculator divides the amount still to save by your monthly saving to give a plain-English estimate, such as 2 years 4 months.
- Do I need money on top of the deposit?
- Yes. Beyond the deposit you usually pay stamp duty (where it applies), solicitor or conveyancer fees, a survey, mortgage product fees, and moving costs. It is wise to keep an extra buffer for these and for early repairs.
Got your deposit sorted?
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Estimates only, based on the assumptions you enter and current published rates. Not financial advice. Your actual costs depend on your circumstances and your lender. HomeThink is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and recommends no lender or mortgage.
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