Define the support
Understand the proposed guarantee amount, security and responsibilities involved.
Family support, carefully understood
Make a supported start with everyone clear on the commitment.
A family guarantee may help an eligible buyer move sooner or reduce the deposit hurdle. It also creates serious responsibilities for the guarantor, so clarity and independent advice matter.
Support that is structured with care.
In a guarantor arrangement, a family member may offer limited security—often using equity in their own property—to support part of a home loan. This can change the deposit required, but it does not remove the borrower’s responsibility to afford and repay the loan.
We explain how a proposed structure works, what lenders may require and the practical pathway for reviewing or releasing a guarantee later. Guarantors should obtain independent legal and financial advice before entering any arrangement.
How we help
Advice shaped around the decision—not a product shelf.
Protect understanding
Give borrowers and guarantors room to ask questions and seek independent advice.
Look ahead
Discuss how the guarantee might be reviewed or released if lender requirements are met.
Prepare for the conversation
A few useful things to have nearby.
You do not need a perfect folder before contacting us. These details simply help us understand the position sooner.
- Borrower income and commitments
- Available borrower savings
- Proposed guarantor and property
- Existing guarantor lending
- Independent legal and financial advice
Questions, answered
What people often ask about guarantor loans.
These are general answers. Your own options depend on your circumstances and lender assessment.
Does a guarantor have to guarantee the whole loan?
Not always. Some structures use a limited guarantee, subject to lender policy and the circumstances of the application.
Can a guarantee be removed later?
It may be reviewed once lender requirements are met, for example through repayments or a change in property value. Removal is not automatic and requires lender approval.
Who can act as guarantor?
Policies vary, though close family members are most common. The proposed guarantor must meet the lender’s criteria and receive appropriate independent advice.
A clearer next step