Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) Mortgages
Use trusted family income to boost affordability—without giving up legal ownership or first‑time buyer status.
Why JBSP?
- Boosts borrowing where income alone falls short
- Parents/siblings can help—without going on the deeds
- Route to remove helper later via remortgage
What is a JBSP mortgage?
A Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) mortgage allows multiple people (typically up to six) to be named on the mortgage while only one person appears on the property’s title deeds. This lets income from outside the household be considered for affordability—without sharing legal ownership.
JBSPs are popular with first‑time buyers who need a boost to get onto the ladder.
Quick comparison
| Feature | JBSP | Joint Mortgage |
|---|---|---|
| On the deeds | Sole proprietor only | All borrowers |
| FTB status | May be preserved | Usually lost |
| Equity entitlement | Helper has none | Shared |
Who is eligible?
In many cases you can apply for a JBSP. The most common setup is parents helping children, but siblings and close relatives can also be suitable. Lender criteria vary—speak to a broker to confirm.
Popular scenarios
- First‑time buyer with strong deposit but limited income
- Recently separated client keeping the family home
- Professional starting out (e.g., NQ nurse, teacher)
Key requirements
- Clean(ish) credit and provable income
- All borrowers pass affordability & ID/AML checks
- Joint borrowers obtain Independent Legal Advice
Good to know
- Not all lenders offer JBSP—product choice matters
- Potential for stamp duty advantages if FTB status kept
- Helper can be removed later when affordability allows
How is JBSP different from a joint mortgage?
In a standard joint mortgage, all parties are on both the mortgage and the title deeds, so ownership and equity are shared. With a JBSP mortgage, supporting borrowers are on the mortgage only—no legal ownership or equity—helping the proprietor keep first‑time buyer status and, in some cases, access better deals or SDLT relief.
Liability & removing a helper
Liability: Everyone named on the mortgage is jointly and severally liable for the full loan. There is no set split of payments: if the proprietor falls behind, the lender can pursue the helper(s).
Removing a helper: When the proprietor(s) can afford the loan alone, you can remortgage to remove the joint borrower.
Compliance note
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Product availability and criteria vary by lender.
Case studies: how JBSP helped our clients
First‑time buyer in London, supported by parents
- Client: Sam, newly qualified nurse
- Salary: £25,000 | Deposit: 10% gifted
- Property value: £300,000 | Required mortgage: £270,000
Challenge: Income on its own capped borrowing at ~£150,000—well short of target.
Solution: Parents added as joint borrowers (combined income £60,000) to meet affordability. Parents not on the deeds, preserving Sam’s first‑time buyer status and potential SDLT relief.
Recently separated homeowner keeping the family home
- Client: Rachel
- Current mortgage: £350,000 | Income: £50,000
- Dependents: None | Plan: Lodger (future income not countable yet)
Challenge: Couldn’t meet affordability alone immediately after separation.
Solution: Brother joined as joint borrower so affordability passed. JBSP meant Rachel stayed sole owner, using sibling support during a transition period.
Frequently asked questions
Do all lenders offer JBSP mortgages?
Will the helper appear on Land Registry?
Can I keep first‑time buyer status?
When can the helper be removed?
Check your JBSP eligibility
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll confirm if JBSP could work for you and which lenders may fit. No credit search at this stage.