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90% LTV mortgages

Compare 90% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages

We’ve partnered with Mojo Mortgages to help you compare 90% LTV mortgages with an expert.

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What is a 90% LTV Mortgage?

A 90% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage means you put down a 10% deposit, and you borrow the remaining 90% of the property value from a mortgage lender.

LTV is the ratio of the loan you've borrowed compared to the value or price of the property, whichever is lower.

For example, to get a 90% mortgage for a £200,000 property, you put down a £20,000 deposit (10%) and borrow the remaining £180,000 (90%).

Should you get a 90% LTV mortgage?

A 90% mortgage may work for you. Saving up a 10% deposit is more manageable than a larger deposit.

The lower your LTV, the better rates you get access to. 90% mortgages are better than 95% mortgage deals (which are normally the maximum LTV deals available on the market).

But if you're able to put down more than just a 10% deposit, you can normally get a lower rate. This makes your monthly repayments more affordable.

Can first-time buyers get a 90% LTV mortgage?

Yes, first-time buyers can get a 90% mortgage. It's a popular option for those starting on the property ladder.

Some may find it possible to save without relying on equity from a previous property.

But some first-time buyers may prefer to put down a larger deposit if they're able to. And others may only manage a 5% deposit.

Can you get a 90% LTV buy-to-let mortgage?

No, in most cases you won't be able to get a 90% buy-to-let mortgage. Lenders normally require at least a 25% deposit for a buy-to-let property (although the amount can vary from 20-40%).

This is due to the increased risk the lender takes on with these properties.

Can you remortgage to a 90% LTV mortgage?

If you have 10% equity built up in your property and your initial mortgage deal has come to an end, a 90% remortgage might work for you.

There are normally 90% remortgage deals available on the market. But some lenders may expect you to have a bit more equity to remortgage with them. You can also get better deals with a lower LTV remortgage.

You can use money from savings to increase your equity and get a lower LTV deal when you remortgage.

What are the pros and cons of 90% LTV mortgages?

  • Saving a 10% deposit may be manageable, even for first-time buyers
  • Putting down a smaller deposit can let you keep money aside for property renovations and other projects
  • You get better deals and rates with a 90% LTV mortgage compared to a 95% mortgage
  • You're less likely to go into negative equity (when you owe more than your property is worth) compared to a 95% deal
  • Those with larger deposits can get lower LTV mortgages and normally better rates
  • You're more likely to go into negative equity compared to a lower LTV deal
  • If a 10% deposit stretches your budget, a 95% mortgage may allow you to keep some money back for emergencies

Need more help?

Are there alternatives to 90% LTV mortgages?

The alternatives to a 90% mortgage are the other LTV deals lenders offer. Some of the most common are:

  • 95% LTV mortgages
  • 85% LTV mortgages
  • 80% LTV mortgages
  • 75% LTV mortgages
  • 60% LTV mortgages

You can also get 100% (no deposit) mortgages, but these are rare. In most cases you require the assistance of a guarantor or the savings of a family member to be eligible.

What types of 90% LTV mortgages are there?

The 2 main types of mortgage are fixed-rate and variable-rate.

A fixed-rate mortgage means your interest rate remains the same for a set period. This gives you peace of mind that your payments won't suddenly increase if interest rates rise. But you also won't benefit from lower payments if interest rates fall.

A variable-rate mortgage means your interest rate is subject to change during your deal period. If the rate increases, you end up paying more each month. But if it decreases, you benefit from lower payments.

The main types of variable-rate deals are discount mortgages and tracker mortgages.

What costs are involved with 90% LTV mortgages?

The main costs involved with a 90% LTV mortgage are:

  • Deposit - 10% of the property value
  • Monthly repayments - based on the loan amount (90% of the property value), interest rate and term length
  • Fees - there are various fees associated with a mortgage, including the arrangement fee (set-up cost)

Can I get a mortgage with less than 10% deposit?

Yes, a number of lenders offer mortgages with a 5% deposit. But there are less 95% mortgages on the market than 90% deals. The rates available with 95% deals are also normally higher.

You can also get 100% mortgages in some rare cases, but you'll normally require the assistance of a guarantor or family member due to the risks involved with these deals.

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Page last reviewed: 26 September 2023

Reviewed by: Claire Flynn

YOU SHOULD THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME/PROPERTY. YOUR HOME/PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. 

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