Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Strategy. Read the original article for full details.

Majority of Aspiring UK Homeowners Doubt They Will Get on Property Ladder

More than half of aspiring homeowners in the UK doubt they will ever get onto the housing ladder, according to new research by HomeOwners Alliance (HOA). The annual survey found that 52% of those who want to buy a home do not believe they will achieve this goal.

The survey also revealed that the proportion of non-homeowners who aspire to buy has increased from 64% in 2025 to 73% this year. However, widespread misunderstandings about mortgages are contributing to a lack of confidence among potential buyers.

HOA found that 62% of aspiring homeowners believe they need a deposit of at least 10%, despite the existence of lower-deposit mortgage options. Additionally, 49% think borrowing is always limited to four or five times their income, although some lenders offer higher income multiples to eligible borrowers. Nearly half (47%) assume the lowest interest rate always means the cheapest mortgage, overlooking fees and total borrowing costs, while 40% believe their current bank will offer the best deal. A quarter of respondents think they cannot explore mortgage options until they have found a property.

The research also highlights barriers for existing homeowners considering a move. Almost three-quarters (74%) say that financial factors such as mortgage rates, deposits, and stamp duty would need to improve to make moving easier. Lower mortgage rates would encourage 42% of homeowners to move, rising to 50% among those with a mortgage. More than a third (36%) say lower stamp duty would help, and 31% point to lower deposit requirements.

Non-financial obstacles were also identified. Over a third (37%) of homeowners say reforms to the buying and selling process would make moving easier, with a quarter wanting transactions to become legally binding earlier and one in five seeking a faster, more digital process. The availability of suitable homes is a particular issue for older homeowners, with nearly a third of those over 55 saying more appropriate housing, such as bungalows and later-life homes, would make moving easier.

These findings are relevant for UK letting agents and inventory clerks, as they highlight ongoing challenges in the property market that may affect both rental demand and the movement of existing homeowners.