We lift the lid on how hundreds of thousands of grown-up children are set to be handed money to put towards a deposit as a Christmas present this year.

A staggering 64% of parents whose grown-up children own a home have given them money to help them onto the property ladder.

And a further 10% of parents said that while they did not contribute to their children’s house deposit themselves, other relatives did.

Our research shows that parents forked out an average £32,440 to put towards their children’s house deposit.

Some parents went even further, with 14% giving their children more than £50,000.

Meanwhile, 11% of parents paid the entire deposit for a new home. And 4% went one step further still and bought a home for their offspring mortgage-free.

Our research was carried out among Zoopla users, nearly 1,100 of whom are parents to grown-up children.

Giving the kids a deposit for Christmas?

Hundreds of thousands of people are set to get some festive cheer this Christmas in the shape of help with a deposit for a new home.

Yes, that’s right, 3% of parents with adult children plan to give them money this Christmas to help them onto the property ladder.

But it is not just deposits that parents are dishing out as presents for special occasions.

Nearly one in 10 parents whose grown-up children own a home have given them money for their mortgage as a Christmas or birthday present.

Some 11% of parents have given their children rent as a present.

Here’s what else parents have given their children as a Christmas or birthday present:

  • money for bills: 15% of parents
  • money for repairs: 13% of parents
  • money for decorating: 12% of parents.

Why do parents help their children to buy a home?

Up to 25% of parents helped their children with a deposit for a new home simply because they could afford to do so.

Meanwhile, 24% of parents said their children would never have been able to afford to get onto the property ladder without their help.

Nearly 20% contributed out of guilt or sympathy, believing it to be much harder for their children to buy a new home than it was for them.

What else are parents paying out for?

The so-called ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ doesn’t always stop at the deposit.

Up to 17% of parents currently help their adult children with rent or mortgage payments, with 8% doing so every month.

In fact, 36% of parents have helped with their children’s rent or mortgage payments at some stage.

What’s more, 11% give their children a regular allowance for home-related expenses, while 28% offer them ad-hoc financial support.

What could our research mean for you?

Our research shows just how few young homeowners have been able to get the keys to their own home independently.

Around three-quarters of buyers had a helping hand financially from family.

Those who managed to ‘go it alone’ and buy a home without parental support are very much in the minority.

Daniel Copley, our consumer expert, explained:

“When looking at the data, it is very clear that average house prices in the UK have increased at a greater rate than salaries over recent decades, reinforcing the notion that it is harder for young adults to get on the property ladder today than it was for previous generations.

“Despite the financial hurdle that a first home purchase can present, our data demonstrates that first-time buyers are prolific in the market and have been for some time.

“Putting more money towards the purchase of a home can help reduce mortgage payments and in turn can unlock lower interest rates, so it’s clear that, when it comes to property, the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ will be in business for a long time to come.”

What if the Bank of Mum and Dad can’t help out?

The government has a number of initiatives designed to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder. They include:

  • Help to Buy: Equity Loan: offers aspiring homeowners the chance to buy a new-build home with just a 5% deposit
  • Shared Ownership: allows buyers to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share
  • First Homes: helps local first-time buyers and key workers by offering new-build homes at a 30% – 50% discount
  • Lifetime ISA: allows first-time buyers to save up to £4,000 a year, with the government adding a 25% bonus
  • 95% mortgage guarantee scheme: the government ‘guarantees’ mortgages for buyers with 5% deposits.

Key takeaways

  • Nearly two-thirds of parents have helped their children with a deposit for a new home, forking out an average of £32,440
  • Some 24% of parents say their children would never have been able to afford to buy a home on their own
  • The so-called ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ doesn’t stop at deposits, with 36% of parents helping with rent or mortgage payments, too