SPECIALIST SOLUTIONS
Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) Mortgages
Let a family member's income boost your affordability, without putting their name on the property.
What Is a JBSP Mortgage?
A Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) mortgage allows one or more additional people, usually a parent or close family member, to be named on the mortgage and have their income counted towards affordability, without being named as an owner of the property on the title deeds.
This is different to a guarantor mortgage or a standard joint mortgage. The supporting person takes on legal responsibility for the mortgage payments but has no ownership stake, no rights to the property, and typically no Stamp Duty surcharge implications that can arise from being a co-owner of a second property.
How This Can Help With Bad Credit
A JBSP arrangement is primarily an affordability tool, not a way to bypass credit checks — lenders will still assess your credit history as the main applicant. However, it can be genuinely useful if your credit issue means a lender is willing to offer you a mortgage, but only for a lower amount than you need. Adding a family member’s income can bridge that gap.
It’s also worth noting that the credit history of the supporting person matters too, since they’re taking on legal responsibility for the mortgage. A strong credit history on their side can help offset a weaker one on yours.
Things to Consider
The supporting person is legally liable. They’re responsible for the mortgage payments if you can’t meet them, just as on a standard joint mortgage.
It can affect their own borrowing. Being named on your mortgage may affect the supporting person’s ability to borrow for their own needs in the future, since lenders will factor in the commitment.
Not all lenders offer JBSP. It’s a more specialist product, so availability alongside bad credit narrows the lender pool further — this is where the right broker relationship really helps.
An exit strategy is often expected. Some lenders want to understand how the supporting person will eventually be removed from the mortgage, such as once your income increases.
JBSP Mortgage FAQs
Who can be a joint borrower on a JBSP mortgage?
Most commonly a parent, though some lenders will also consider other close family members. Each lender has its own criteria on who qualifies.
Does the supporting person need to pay a deposit?
No, the deposit is typically your responsibility as the main applicant, though this can vary by lender and individual circumstances.
Can I remove the supporting person later?
Often yes, typically by remortgaging once your income alone meets the lender’s affordability requirements. This usually involves an application in its own right rather than a simple name change.
Will my bad credit still be assessed if I use a JBSP mortgage?
Yes. A JBSP mortgage boosts affordability, but your credit history as the main applicant will still be assessed as part of the application, so it’s usually used alongside — not instead of — the right specialist lender for your credit situation.
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