The plight of a single buyer

There is no doubt that it is harder for most single buyers to get on the property ladder than couples, especially if they do not have help from the Bank of Mum and Dad. Mortgage lenders have increased their income multiples, and it is possible for a single buyer to borrow around six times their salary, but it is also possible for couples to borrow six times their combined income. Nationwide's Helping Hand mortgage is probably the lender's most popular scheme and it was specifically designed to get more first-time buyers onto the porperty ladder by issuing up to six times salary to single applicants earning at least £30,000 rising to £50,000 for joint applicants. Many first-time buyers may be underestimating how much they can borrow after lenders relaxed affordability rules and launched more flexible mortgage schemes. Recent research found that some applicants could potentially be able to borrow £30,000 to £40,000 more than they could 12 months ago.

Without a doubt, it is more challenging for a single person to purchase a property today, primarily due to affordability constraints. In my experience, single buyers tend to be older, have higher incomes, and have spent longer saving for a deposit than those purchasing as a couple. A deposit of around 20% is common among this group.
As much of my work is focused on London and the surrounding areas, I often see single buyers purchasing one-bedroom flats as a first step onto the property ladder. Their objective is usually to secure a mortgage payment that is similar to, or lower than, the rent they are currently paying. However, many view this as a short-term solution and expect to move again within a few years, which can result in additional moving costs and, potentially, unnecessary stamp duty expenses.
By contrast, around 70% of my clients purchase as a couple, which generally provides greater borrowing power, allows costs to be shared, and makes homeownership more accessible

Single buyers are absolutely fighting a harder battle. A couple can bring two incomes, two savings pots and often more borrowing power. A single buyer has to carry the deposit, affordability, bills, legal costs and emotional pressure alone.

We do see couples making the jump more easily, especially in areas where prices have moved faster than wages. Single buyers often have to wait longer, save harder, buy smaller, move further out or rely on family support. They also tend to be slightly older because it takes more time to build the deposit and income needed on one salary.

The unfair part is that single buyers are not necessarily financially weaker. Many are very disciplined. But the system rewards combined income. One person can be excellent with money and still lose out to two average salaries.

Buying alone is not just a financial challenge. It is a confidence challenge, because every decision feels bigger when there is no second income behind you.

As someone who has built businesses and worked as a consultant, I've seen how the conversation around single buyers often overlooks a growing reality: many people no longer have traditional careers. The challenge isn't always earning enough. It's proving affordability in systems still geared towards salaried employment and dual-income households. Freelancers, contractors and business owners can have healthy incomes, multiple revenue streams and years of financial discipline, yet still face greater scrutiny when applying for a mortgage. Without a second income to absorb unexpected costs, every business decision and savings goal rests on one person. The future of work has evolved rapidly. The question is whether our lending assumptions have evolved with it.

Buying alone has become one of the toughest financial challenges in the housing market. We see far more couples getting onto the property ladder than single buyers because two incomes dramatically improve affordability. Single buyers also tend to be older, often spending years longer saving a deposit while house prices continue to move out of reach. What stands out is the compromises they have to make, whether that's buying later, buying smaller, or moving further away. In many cases, the issue isn't poor financial habits; it's simply trying to buy a home on one income in a market that just seems to keep getting away.

Single buyers have double the battle to buy as the onus is all on them for income, expenditure, maintenance etc. In joint buyers, any complexities can be offset by each other, any single complications can't. They have to also save twice as hard as they will be the sole deposit contributor. It's tough for them.

For me, this seems more geographical: for clients based in the South, almost every application is joint, whilst I have recently helped a few singletons with their first homes in the North West. With many new borrowers in the South looking to buy houses, using pooled income, even at a minimum full-time wage, would allow a couple to borrow around £ 300k. Those buying on their own in the north of the country are securing flats for around £120,000, allowing them to afford a mortgage of around £600pm with a 10% deposit, less than the cost of renting.

We’re absolutely seeing more couples than single buyers getting onto the property ladder now. For many single applicants, it’s not about earning badly, it’s simply that one salary can no longer stretch far enough in many parts of the country. Single buyers also tend to be older because it takes them longer to save while covering rent and bills alone. Couples can split costs, save faster and usually borrow significantly more. A lot of single buyers we speak to are making compromises just to get a foot on the ladder, buying smaller flats, moving further out, or relying on family help for deposits. In some areas, buying alone is becoming incredibly tough unless you’re a very high earner!

The difference between buying alone and buying as a couple has become increasingly pronounced. We see far more couples able to make the leap into homeownership because two incomes provide greater borrowing power and make affordability checks much easier to satisfy. For single buyers, the challenge is often not just saving a deposit but securing a mortgage large enough to buy in their chosen area.

Single first-time buyers also tend to be older than previous generations. Many spend longer renting, building a deposit and waiting for their income to catch up with house prices. It's now common for single buyers to reach their thirties or forties before purchasing becomes realistic.

While homeownership remains achievable, single buyers often face tougher compromises on location, property size or timing. For many, the property ladder feels less like a staircase and more like a climbing wall.

Hi Imogen, happy to provide a bit of info from a mortgage lender's perspective. Some quick stats for you based on Gen H's book – the median age of a first-time buyer purchase where there's more than one owner (typically couples but could be siblings or friends buying together) is 30. The median age of a single first-time buyer at Gen H is 33. And the median age of a first-time buyer who uses an income booster – a joint borrower, not an owner – is 29. Single first-time buyers are of course also more likely to need deposit support from family. Their success really depends on where they're buying; one typical salary doesn't stretch as far as it used to. Joint borrowers can afford more and are more resistant to financial shocks. I will ping over some more info with average incomes and average property prices tomorrow morning.

We definitely see less single first-time buyers. Those that are, almost always tend to be older, higher earners and/or with some element of gifted deposit.

The borrowing capacity for a couple earning not much more than minimum wage each can sometimes come as a surprise when comparing with someone earning in the £40k a year bracket. Many lenders have thresholds over which the income multiple increases and joint buyers can much easier surpass this.

We see situations where a single buyer earning £49k can end up with a far lower borrowing capacity than a couple with a joint income of £51k.

This can and does have a material impact on the properties that are in reach.