Ready to buy? More mortgage options for buyers

12 February 2026

Ready to buy? It's now easier to take that next step

Buying a new home can feel tough, with a whole host of hurdles to jump.

Some people have help with a deposit. Some don’t.

Some can easily cover monthly mortgage repayments, but upfront costs stop them in their tracks.

And if you’re renting, you’re already proving you can pay for the costs that come with owning a home every month. But in the traditional mortgage world, that doesn’t always get the recognition it should.

The good news?

There are mortgage options out there for home buyers – especially if you’re currently renting, or have been in the last year or so.

Our Delayed Start and Track Record mortgages are designed to tackle some of the biggest barriers many home buyers face. And even better, we’ve just made these mortgages more flexible – so they work for even more people.

Let’s take a closer look at how it all works.

First things first: what is a Delayed Start mortgage?

In a nutshell, we created Delayed Start to let you delay your first mortgage repayments for three months when you buy your first home.

So instead of paying your monthly mortgage repayments straight away, you get some breathing room at the start – perfect when money’s tight or upfront costs are stacking up.

It’s made for first-time buyers who:

• Are ready to buy
• Can afford monthly mortgage repayments
• But need help managing upfront costs.

Sound familiar?

And what about a Track Record mortgage?

If you’ve paid all of your rent on time for at least 12 months in a row, within the last 18 months, our Track Record mortgages use that rental history as proof you can afford mortgage repayments.

That means:

• You could get a mortgage with a smaller deposit – or even none at all (we’ll accept a deposit of less than 5%, but you don't need a deposit to apply)
• Your rental history does the talking
• You’ve got a real way forward if saving a deposit feels out of reach.

If getting a lump sum together is the one thing holding you back, this could be a total game changer.

We’ve made some exciting changes to our mortgage range

We’ve listened to our members. We’ve spoken to industry experts. And we’ve looked closely at how people are actually using our mortgages in real life.

From that, three key improvements stood out – each designed to give home buyers more choice, more flexibility and more control.

1) Choose a one or two month delay

We've realised people don't always need or want a three month delay.

Now you can choose a one, two or three month delay (depending on the product chosen) – meaning more control and a smoother start that works on your terms.

2) Combine Track Record with a delayed start feature

You can now apply for a mortgage that:

• Doesn’t need a deposit (Track Record)

And

• Lets you delay your mortgage repayments for up to the first three months (1, 2 or 3 months - depending on the product chosen).

Why does that matter?

The biggest challenge is often that upfront squeeze at the start. Taking away the deposit and easing those first few months can suddenly make buying feel achievable.

Plus, it gives you time to focus on essentials in those early weeks, like furniture, any rent overlap or just catching your breath.

It’s a more joined-up solution for people who are ready, but just need a bit of help getting over the line.

3) Shared Ownership mortgages now available with a delayed start feature

Shared Ownership can be a great stepping stone.

You buy a share of a home (usually between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the rest to a housing association or registered landlord – usually below the market rate. It means deposits are smaller and monthly costs can feel more manageable.

But those pesky upfront costs can still add up. And that’s where the delayed start feature comes in – it eases the pressure at the very beginning, when it matters most.

It’s another realistic route onto the ladder for home buyers who are ready, but need a little breathing room to make it happen.

Products subject to eligibility and lending criteria.

The door to homeownership might be more open than you think.

You don’t need a huge deposit. You don’t need thousands saved for month one. You don’t need to wait until everything is perfect.

These changes could give you a different route in. And we’re here to help you explore it.

Even if you feel a million miles from being mortgage ready, it’s worth checking your options – you might be closer to finally jumping those first hurdles than you think.

Want to find out more?

Check out our mortgage range or speak to a member of the team today on 0345 607 9825.