How the Family Building Society and Bristol Mortgages Online Can Help You Own Your Home Sooner

Caz Blake-Symes • May 14, 2026

image courtesy of Freepix

Getting onto the property ladder—or even moving up it—can feel like an uphill battle in today’s market. Between rising property prices and strict lending criteria, many buyers find themselves just short of the finish line.


At Bristol Mortgages Online, we pride ourselves on finding innovative solutions for our clients. That’s why we’re highlighting a fantastic range of products from the Family Building Society: their Family Assisted Mortgages.


What are Family Assisted Mortgages?

The Family Building Society understands that "modern families" come in all shapes and sizes, and so does their financial support. These products are specifically designed to allow family members (parents, grandparents, or even siblings) to help a buyer without necessarily having to provide a massive "gifted deposit" that they might never see again.


There are two primary ways the Family Building Society facilitates this support:

1. The Family Mortgage (100% LTV)

If you have the income to support mortgage payments but lack the deposit, this could be a game-changer. It allows for up to 100% Loan-to-Value (LTV), meaning you might not need a deposit at all.

Instead of a cash deposit from the buyer, family members provide security in one of two ways:

•           Security Through Savings: A family member places funds (typically 20% of the property value) into a "Family Security Account." They earn interest on this money while it acts as a guarantee for your mortgage.

•           Security Through Equity: If a family member has significant equity in their own home, the Society can take a "charge" over a portion of that property instead of requiring cash up front.


2. Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP)

This is an ideal solution for those whose current income isn't quite high enough to satisfy affordability checks.

•           How it works: A family member’s income is added to the application to boost the total borrowing power.Up to 90% LTV.

•           The Benefit: While the family member is legally responsible for the mortgage, they are not named on the title deeds. This means the buyer owns the home outright, and more importantly, it avoids the extra Stamp Duty charges that usually apply when buying a second property.

Please note: Applicants will be required to meet the lending criteria and will be subject to credit and affordability checks


Why Use a Broker Like Bristol Mortgages Online?

The Family Building Society is a specialist lender, and their products require a nuanced understanding of "intergenerational lending." Here is how we at Bristol Mortgages Online make the process seamless:

•           Tailored Advice: These products aren't "one size fits all." We analyse your family’s specific financial position to see which security method (savings vs. equity) or JBSP arrangement works best for everyone involved.

•           Expert Navigation: We handle the legwork, from the initial affordability assessment to liaising with the Society’s underwriters, who look at each case individually rather than relying on a rigid computer algorithm.

•           Stress-Free Coordination: Buying a home with family support involves more moving parts. We coordinate between you, your family members, and the solicitors to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities.


Ready to Start Your Journey?

Whether you are a first-time buyer in Bristol looking to stop renting, or a parent wanting to help your child secure their future, the Family Assisted Mortgage range offers a flexible, modern path to homeownership.

Let’s see how we can bring your family’s home-owning dreams to life.


How to Contact Us for Advice

Phil Clark will personally deal with your enquiry

Tel 0117 325 1511

Email info@swmortgages.com

Complete a form via our website www.bristolmortgagesonline.com


Please remember: YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE



By Caz Blake-Symes August 2, 2026
Saving for a house deposit remains the single biggest hurdle facing first-time buyers in today’s property market. As a result, more parents and grandparents are searching for ways to step in and give the next generation a head start. The good news? If you’ve built up equity in your own home over the years, you may be able to support your child without having to drain your cash savings or liquidate investments. 4 Main Ways Families Can Help First-Time Buyers 1. A Cash Gift (Gifted Deposit) This is the most straightforward route. You provide funds directly to your child to put toward their deposit or purchasing costs. • What lenders require: A signed gifted deposit letter confirming that the money is an absolute gift with no expectation of repayment, along with proof of funds showing where the money originated. 2. Releasing Equity From Your Own Home If your capital is tied up in your property, a remortgage or a further advance allows you to unlock cash built up in your home equity. You can then use these released funds to fund your child's deposit without dipping into your emergency savings. 3. A Joint Borrower, Sole Proprietor (JBSP) Mortgage A JBSP mortgage allows you to add your income to the mortgage application to boost your child's overall borrowing power. • Key benefit: While you share responsibility for the monthly mortgage repayments, your child remains the sole owner on the property deeds. This avoids triggering additional Stamp Duty costs that usually apply when purchasing a second home. 4. Family-Assist or Springboard Mortgages If you prefer not to give money away permanently, a family-assist mortgage lets you place savings into a linked collateral account or secure a portion against your property equity. • How it works: Your savings act as security for your child’s loan for a set term (typically 3 to 5 years). Provided all mortgage payments are kept up to date, your money is returned to you at the end of the term. What Lenders Will Look For When submitting a mortgage application involving family help, lenders will carefully inspect the source of funds to satisfy UK anti-money laundering regulations: Gifted Deposit Letter Signed declaration stating the cash is a non-refundable gift. Proof of Funds Bank statements showing the accumulation or source of the capital. Overseas Documentation Extra verification and audit trails if funds originate from family abroad. How Bristol Mortgages Online Can Help Navigating family mortgages and equity release requires choosing the right structure for both your family's finances and your child's long-term independence. Whether you want to explore remortgaging your home to release funds or structure a Joint Borrower, Sole Proprietor arrangement, our specialist, Phil Clark, at Bristol Mortgages Online, guides you and your child through every step of the process. Ready to explore your options? How to Contact Us for Advice Phil Clark will personally deal with your enquiry Tel 0117 325 1511 Email info@swmortgages.com Complete a form via our website www.bristolmortgagesonline.com Please remember: YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE • #BristolMortgagesOnline • #BristolMortgages • #BristolMortgageBroker • #Remortgage • #RemortgageAdvice • #MortgageBroker • #helpfromparents • #equityrealease • # gettingonthepropertyladder
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