Finance · 5 min read

How Much Deposit for a £300,000 House in the UK?

On a £300,000 house in the UK, the minimum deposit is usually £15,000 (5%), while £30,000 (10%) or more typically unlocks meaningfully better mortgage rates.

Deposit amounts at each level

• 5% deposit: £15,000 — loan needed: £285,000
• 10% deposit: £30,000 — loan needed: £270,000
• 15% deposit: £45,000 — loan needed: £255,000
• 20% deposit: £60,000 — loan needed: £240,000

Model the exact monthly payment for each scenario with our mortgage calculator.

Income multiples matter more at this price

UK lenders typically cap borrowing at around 4–4.5× annual income (sometimes higher for certain professions or with a larger deposit). A £270,000 loan (10% deposit on £300,000) generally needs a household income in the region of £60,000–£68,000 to meet standard affordability rules, alongside passing the lender's separate debt and stress-testing checks — deposit size alone doesn't guarantee approval at this price point.

Stamp duty becomes a real factor at £300,000

Unlike at £200,000, a £300,000 purchase is more likely to cross into Stamp Duty Land Tax territory depending on your buyer status (first-time buyer vs. home mover) and the current thresholds, which are reviewed periodically. Budget for this as a genuine additional cost on top of your deposit and check the exact current thresholds on gov.uk before exchanging contracts, since underestimating stamp duty is one of the most common budgeting mistakes at this price band.

What each deposit level means for your monthly payment

A £285,000 loan (5% deposit) carries a noticeably higher monthly payment than a £240,000 loan (20% deposit) — both from the smaller loan size and from typically better rates at lower LTV. Use the mortgage calculator to compare your exact numbers.

Building a £30,000+ deposit

A Lifetime ISA covers up to £4,000/year of saving with a 25% government bonus (up to £1,000/year free), but a £30,000 deposit will likely need contributions beyond the LISA cap alone — many buyers combine a LISA with a standard high-interest savings account, or a gifted contribution from family, to reach this level faster.

Recap

£15,000 (5%) is the practical minimum for a £300,000 house, but £30,000 (10%) unlocks better rates, and stamp duty becomes a more meaningful cost to plan for at this price. See the full deposit strategy in our UK house deposit guide, and model your own numbers with the mortgage calculator.

Frequently asked questions