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

Over Half of First-Time Buyers Rely on Family Support, Savills Finds

More than half of first-time buyers now depend on financial support from family members to purchase a home, according to new research from Savills. The estate agency group estimates that gifts, loans, and inheritances from relatives contributed £11bn towards first-time buyer purchases in 2025, including £8.3bn in direct financial support.

The Savills study found that 53% of first-time buyers received help from family members, while 64% used their own savings towards a deposit. Gifts were the most common form of assistance, with 32% of buyers receiving money from relatives, and 16% relying on family loans. Inherited wealth was used by 14% of first-time buyers to help fund their purchase.

The research also indicates that support is increasingly coming from a wider circle of relatives, not just parents. By comparison, 12% of first-time buyers made use of government-backed homeownership schemes.

For UK letting agents and inventory clerks, these findings highlight the ongoing challenges faced by first-time buyers in accessing the property market. The reliance on family support may influence the types of tenants entering the rental sector and could affect demand for rental properties, as well as the profile of new homeowners.