Buy the Home You Rent With Zero Deposit
Rented your home for at least 12 months? You could buy it with zero deposit – and stay right where you are.
For most tenants, the deposit is the one thing standing between renting and owning. You may already be paying your landlord more each month than a mortgage on the same home would cost – but without 5% or 10% saved, the door stays shut.
A specialist lender we work with now offers a mortgage designed for exactly this situation. If you have rented your home for at least 12 months and your landlord agrees to sell it to you for at least 2% below its current value, that discount can stand in for your deposit. You borrow the rest, with no cash deposit of your own, and you never have to move out.
How buying your rented home with zero deposit works
- You have rented the property for at least 12 months. The lender wants to see an established tenancy in the home you are buying.
- Your landlord sells to you for at least 2% below current value. The discount is treated as your deposit, so you don’t need any savings for one.
- You stay in your home. No moving costs, no viewings, no chain – you simply go from tenant to owner.
- You take a mortgage with our specialist lender. Borrowing is subject to the lender’s normal affordability and credit checks.
- Available in England and Wales. This scheme is currently not available for properties in Scotland.
Renting v buying: typical figures by region
The table below compares carrying on renting a typical home in each region with buying it under this scheme, over 30 years. Rent rises each year, while the mortgage payment falls once the initial rate period ends – and at the end of the mortgage term the home is yours.
| Region | Typical value today | Rent payment (monthly) | Total rent paid (30 years) | Mortgage payment (initial) | Mortgage payment (year six) | Total mortgage payments (30 years) | Property value (in 2056) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £550,000 | £2,558 | £1,460,375 | £3,772 | £3,135 | £1,166,886 | £1,334,994 |
| South East | £381,000 | £2,057 | £1,174,352 | £2,613 | £2,172 | £808,334 | £924,787 |
| East of England | £338,000 | £1,955 | £1,116,119 | £2,318 | £1,927 | £717,105 | £820,415 |
| South West | £302,000 | £1,865 | £1,064,738 | £2,071 | £1,721 | £640,727 | £733,033 |
| West Midlands | £251,000 | £1,514 | £864,350 | £1,722 | £1,431 | £532,524 | £609,243 |
| East Midlands | £242,000 | £1,525 | £870,630 | £1,660 | £1,379 | £513,430 | £587,398 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £209,000 | £1,320 | £753,595 | £1,434 | £1,191 | £443,417 | £507,298 |
| North West | £221,000 | £1,433 | £818,107 | £1,516 | £1,260 | £468,876 | £536,425 |
| North East | £167,000 | £1,109 | £633,134 | £1,145 | £952 | £354,309 | £405,353 |
| Wales | £215,000 | £1,589 | £907,168 | £1,475 | £1,226 | £456,146 | £521,861 |
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
How these figures are worked out: typical values are regional averages from the HM Land Registry UK House Price Index (July 2026). Rents are those values multiplied by average regional gross rental yields (Paragon Bank, Q2 2026). The mortgage is 98% of today’s value on a 30-year capital repayment basis, at an illustrative 7.51% for years one to five and 5.51% from year six. Rents and property values are assumed to rise by 3% a year. Illustrative rates are assumptions for comparison only, not a product offer. Figures exclude stamp duty or Land Transaction Tax, fees, insurance and maintenance. Property values can fall as well as rise and nothing here is guaranteed.
Rent v buy calculator
Choose your region, then enter your property’s value and the rent you pay. We’ll show you how buying compares with renting over 30 years.
Choose your region and enter your property value and rent to see your figures.
Monthly cost: renting v buying
Value held after each year: renting v buying
Results are illustrative only and are not a mortgage offer or advice. They assume a 98% mortgage over 30 years on a capital repayment basis at 7.51% for five years and then 5.51%, with rents and property values rising 3% a year. Your actual rate, payments and eligibility depend on your circumstances and the lender’s assessment. Stamp duty or Land Transaction Tax, fees, insurance and maintenance are not included.
How it works
- Tell us about your situation – a short call or our 7-minute online enquiry. We’ll check your tenancy, income and credit history against the lender’s criteria.
- Agree a price with your landlord – at least 2% below current value. We can explain the scheme to your landlord if that helps.
- Get your agreement in principle – so you and your landlord both know the purchase can go ahead.
- Valuation and full application – the lender values the property, solicitors handle the legal work, and you stay in your home throughout.
Why apply for a mortgage online with A Mortgage Now
No deposit
Your landlord’s discount of at least 2% takes the place of a deposit, so you don’t need savings to get started.
No move
You already live there. No removal costs, no viewings, no chain – just a change of name on the deeds.
No fuss
Apply online or by phone, with no meetings. We deal with the lender and keep everyone updated through to completion.
Buying your rented home: frequently asked questions
Do I really need no deposit at all?
That’s right – you don’t need to put in a cash deposit. Your landlord sells to you for at least 2% below the current value, and the lender treats that discount as your deposit. You will still have buying costs such as legal fees, and possibly stamp duty or Land Transaction Tax, so it’s worth planning for those.
How long do I need to have rented the property?
At least 12 months in the property you are buying. The lender will want evidence of your tenancy and your rent payments.
What if my landlord won’t sell at a discount?
The 2% discount is what makes the zero deposit mortgage possible. Many landlords find it worthwhile once they compare it with agent fees and empty months on the open market. If your landlord won’t agree, we can look at other options, such as a 95% mortgage with a 5% deposit.
Can I use this scheme in Scotland?
Not at the moment. The scheme is available for properties in England and Wales, but is currently not available in Scotland.
Will I have to move out while the sale goes through?
No. You carry on living in the property and paying rent as normal until completion. On the day of completion you stop being a tenant and become the owner.
Are the calculator figures guaranteed?
No. They are illustrations based on stated assumptions about interest rates, rent increases and house prices. Rates can change, property values can fall as well as rise, and your actual mortgage will depend on the lender’s assessment of your circumstances. We’ll give you personalised figures when you speak to us.
How much are your fees?
Our fees are set out in our Terms of Business.
Tell us about your tenancy and we’ll give you a straight answer on whether you could buy with zero deposit. Lines open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.