We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Deposit of exchange

Lucielou1
Posts: 23 Forumite

Can someone help me to understand the deposit on exchange required.
We in the middle of a chain of 6 houses. We are using the equity from our sale for the mortgage deposit. If the 10% exchange deposit gets passed up the chain when it gets to us it’s will only be half of what we will need for 10% on the house we are buying. Will we need to add more cash or will the amount that’s going along the chain be ok? We spare money for the fees etc but not for another deposit?
0
Comments
-
Two options:1) you add your savings to the deposit you receive on your sale, to make up 10% on your purchase2) you ask your conveyancer to ask your seller's conveyancer to agree a smaller deposit eg 5%/whatever, to match the amount you are receiving1
-
OK, this is all new to me from when I last brought a house in 2006, there was no such thing as 'deposit on exchange'.
So to help me understand. When buying a new house, say £300,000, I will need to have £30,000 (10%) up front ready to be held a few days before the actual purchase goes through, just liquid, from my current account? Who has £30k just sitting in their bank? Do people normally get bank loans to cover this? Yes, I understand that a lot of this will come 'up the chain' but say only £15k is coming up the chain because I'm selling my house for £150k, £15k is still a lot of money to just have lying around?0 -
Awakeatnight said:OK, this is all new to me from when I last brought a house in 2006, there was no such thing as 'deposit on exchange'.
So to help me understand. When buying a new house, say £300,000, I will need to have £30,000 (10%) up front ready to be held a few days before the actual purchase goes through, just liquid, from my current account? Who has £30k just sitting in their bank? Do people normally get bank loans to cover this? Yes, I understand that a lot of this will come 'up the chain' but say only £15k is coming up the chain because I'm selling my house for £150k, £15k is still a lot of money to just have lying around?In 2006, in England, it was normal, as now, for a deposit, usually 10%, to be paid at Exchange of Contracts. That has not changed.You will need the £30K upfront, before Exchange of Contracts (not 'before the actual purchase goes through" which is legally meaningless but implies Completion).Whether it's in your current account, savings account, your mum's account, or elsewere is irrelevant.Many (most?) people borrow less than 100% of the purchase price. A 90% mortgage, or less, is common. Therefore many people have £30K (in this case) to put towards their purchase.No, I doubt many people get bank loans, but that may be an option if you are getting a 95% or 100% mortgage (do these still exist?)If what comes 'up the chain' is less than 10% of your purchase price, see my option 2 above!
2 -
In the majority of cases it's like greatcrested said, the solicitors agree on a reduced deposit being acceptable.0
-
This has confused me... we are moving and our 10% deposit would be £53k... we have £166k deposit in equity from our house move. The developer said upon exchange this would be sorted by the solicitor/mortgage company as we defo do not have £52k cash in the bank? We were told not to worry but having never moved (sold) before we are slightly confused...0
-
KAP0365 said:This has confused me... we are moving and our 10% deposit would be £53k... we have £166k deposit in equity from our house move. The developer said upon exchange this would be sorted by the solicitor/mortgage company as we defo do not have £52k cash in the bank? We were told not to worry but having never moved (sold) before we are slightly confused...0
-
Awakeatnight said:
So I guess it's the first time buyer who provides most of the 'deposit' which simply goes up the chain which each party adding a bit more value depending on how expensive the house they're buying is?0 -
Two options:1) you add your savings to the deposit you receive on your sale, to make up 10% on your purchase2) you ask your conveyancer to ask your seller's conveyancer to agree a smaller deposit eg 5%/whatever, to match the amount you are receiving
0 -
This is my understanding of how it works - with completely made up example numbers!
- You own a house (no mortgage) that you are selling for 200k.
- You are buying a house for £300k. You will need a mortgage of £100k, which (assuming a 10% deposit) means you need £10k in the bank before you exchange.
- The rest of the money (the £200k) will pass up the chain upon completion, AKA the day that you actually buy/own the house.0 -
kjelyse said:This is my understanding of how it works - with completely made up example numbers!
- You own a house (no mortgage) that you are selling for 200k.
- You are buying a house for £300k. You will need a mortgage of £100k, which (assuming a 10% deposit) means you need £10k in the bank before you exchange.
- The rest of the money (the £200k) will pass up the chain upon completion, AKA the day that you actually buy/own the house.2
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.8K Spending & Discounts
- 244.4K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.1K Life & Family
- 257.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards