onthemoov • England & Wales
Gifted deposit conveyancing
Using money from family or someone else towards your home deposit? Tell your lender and conveyancer early so they can check the arrangement, evidence and any additional legal work.
Free quote. No obligation to instruct.
A gifted deposit, at a glance
- A gift is different from a loan or an investment in the property.
- Lender acceptance and evidence requirements vary.
- Transferring the money into your account does not remove the need to explain its origin.
What evidence might be requested?
Your legal provider will tell you what is needed for the circumstances. The donor may be asked for:
- Identity and address evidence.
- A signed declaration explaining the amount, relationship and terms of the gift.
- Evidence showing how the money was accumulated, such as savings, a sale or inheritance.
- Bank records showing the route from the original source to the funds used for the purchase.
There is no single document checklist or bank-statement period that covers every case. Overseas funds, several donors or complex transfers may need further checks. Provide documents through the secure channel requested by your legal provider.
Check the arrangement with your lender
Tell your mortgage adviser or lender about the gift and tell your conveyancer the same details. The lender may restrict who can donate, require its own form or need the arrangement reported before completion.
If repayment is expected, the donor will live at the property or wants an ownership interest, explain this before signing any declaration. Do not describe a loan or investment as an unconditional gift.
Joint buyers may also want advice on ownership shares and a declaration of trust. That is separate legal work and must be considered alongside lender requirements.
See UK Finance’s lender instructions. Your conveyancer checks the instructions relevant to your lender and transaction.
What to ask about your quote
- Does the legal fee include reviewing a gifted deposit?
- Are donor identity or source-of-funds checks charged separately?
- Does the number of donors affect the cost?
- Will overseas funds or a declaration of trust need additional work?
- What documents and timescales should be planned for?
Tell us the number of donors and any unusual arrangements when requesting your quote. Ask for additional work and charges to be identified before instructing.
Prepare these details first
- Confirm the purchase price, property address and mortgage lender.
- List each donor, their relationship to you and the contribution amount.
- Explain the source of each contribution and any conditions attached.
- Tell the legal provider whether funds have already moved and where they are held.
- Ask for the required declaration and secure document-upload route.
Keep sensitive identity and banking documents out of the public quote form. Our team can discuss the quotation; your legal provider confirms the evidence and lender requirements.
How onthemoov helps with your moov
A quote that reflects your purchase
Tell our team about the property, mortgage and deposit arrangements so the quotation can identify relevant legal work and additional charges.
Support from quote to instruction
We help you understand the available package and connect you with an independent regulated legal provider. Your conveyancer advises on the legal documents and lender requirements.
Compare the legal fee, VAT, third-party costs and upfront payments before choosing. Any protection or package benefit is subject to the selected package and applicable terms.
Your questions, answered
Will any lender accept a family gift?
No universal acceptance rule applies. Check the lender’s policy, donor requirements and any conditions before relying on the contribution.
The gift is already in my savings account. Should I still disclose it?
Yes. Explain that the money was gifted and retain the evidence of its origin and transfer. Moving it between accounts does not change its source.
Can the donor expect repayment later?
If repayment is expected, disclose that arrangement as a loan. Your lender and conveyancer need accurate information about the funding and any rights claimed.
Will a gifted deposit delay my purchase?
Missing documents or lender queries can affect progress. Disclosing the arrangement early gives more time for checks, but does not guarantee a completion date.
Related guides: First-time buyers · New builds · Shared ownership · Gifted deposits
Ready for your next moov?
Get a quote based on your property and transaction, or talk the details through with our team.
onthemoov is a conveyancing broker. Your legal work is carried out by an independent SRA-regulated solicitor or CLC-regulated licensed conveyancer. Your quotation, selected package and applicable terms explain the scope and charges. Read our terms and fee information.
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