If you’re a first time buyer buying with another person, you’ll usually take out a joint mortgage.

This means that both of you are named on the application and equally responsible for the repayments.

Lenders will look at both incomes when assessing affordability, and you’ll share ownership of the property.

Joint mortgages are available from most mainstream lenders in Leeds, and you don’t have to be married or related to apply together.

You can buy with a partner, friend, sibling or even a parent, the most important part is that both of you meet the lender’s criteria and agree on how the property will be managed.

Will Buying Together Improve Affordability?

In many cases, yes. By combining incomes, joint buyers are often able to borrow more than they could on their own.

This can open up more choice in terms of location, size and property type, which is one reason why buying with a friend or partner is increasingly popular in Leeds.

That said, lenders will still look at your outgoings and credit profiles.

If one person has significant debts or a poor credit history, it could affect how much you’re offered or which lenders will consider you.

We’ll review both applicants’ circumstances and guide you towards the lenders that are most likely to say yes.

What About Ownership Shares?

There are two main ways to structure joint ownership. You can either be joint tenants or tenants in common.

If you’re buying with a partner, joint tenancy is often preferred.

This means both parties own the property equally and the property automatically passes to the other person if one of you dies.

If you’re buying with a friend or family member, tenants in common may be more suitable.

This lets you own different shares of the property, for example, one person might own 60% and the other 40%.

You can also choose what happens to your share in the event of death or separation.

It’s always worth speaking to a solicitor to draw up a legal agreement when buying with someone else.

This can outline who owns what, who pays for what, and what happens if one person wants to sell or move out in the future.

What Documents Will You Need?

Both applicants will need to provide proof of income, address history, identification and deposit source.

Lenders will look at payslips, bank statements and credit reports for both people.

It’s important that all documentation is accurate and consistent across both applicants, especially when it comes to address history and financial records.

We’ll help you get everything prepared ahead of time and let you know what’s needed based on the lender’s requirements.

What Happens If You Separate or Disagree?

This is one of the most important reasons to set things up properly from the start.

If you’re buying with someone who isn’t a spouse or civil partner, you should have a legal agreement in place that outlines what happens if one person wants to sell, rent out the property, or be bought out.

Even with a partner, it’s still worth being clear about who contributed what and what should happen in future scenarios.

Disagreements can happen, and having a legal record can protect both of you and reduce conflict down the line.

Date Last Edited: January 5, 2026