Loan Agreement Between Family Members
08/08/2023
(Last Updated: 29/11/2023)
29,458
8 min read
The bank of mum and dad (BOMAD) is the phrase used when children are borrowing money from family to buy a house, however lending money can be from anyone in the family including grandparents and siblings.
The question is whether it is borrowed, meaning it is a loan to family, or is it a gifted deposit.
We will answer each of these and explain how to work around problems when borrowing money from family to buy a house. What is most important is that you have a written loan agreement between family members to protect both the borrower and the lender.
Home ownership can last for a long time and relationships can change, the lender may need the money back and there may even be an argument over whether it was a loan in the first place, or whether it was a gift. We draft loan agreements at affordable prices so get in contact if you need our help.
(a)a “regulated mortgage contract" means a contract under which— (i)a person (“the lender") provides credit to an individual or to trustees (“the borrower"); and (ii)the obligation of the borrower to repay is secured by a first legal mortgage on land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom, at least 40% of which is used, or is intended to be used, as or in connection with a dwelling by the borrower or (in the case of credit provided to trustees) by an individual who is a beneficiary of the trust, or by a related person;
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) provides a more detailed explanation of what is a Regulated Mortgage Contract here - PERG 4.4 What is a regulated mortgage contract?
When borrowing money from family, where the loan is secured over land and there is an interest rate of 2% or more, then the obligations of the lender are more onerous such as:
Something to consider is that if the loan to your relative was made 10 years ago, then the value of the capital repaid is worth less than what it was when you loaned the money. This is why family members often agree for the loan to be repaid with an interest linked to Retail Price Index (RPI).
A further consideration on the interest applicable when making a loan agreement between family is that lending money to a family member has tax implications.
If the loan agreement allows for repayment on a monthly basis, then you may find the first charge mortgage lender is not happy with this. If there is no mortgage lender, then the other consideration is whether the borrower can afford to satisfy the monthly repayments.
To avoid Inheritance tax implications, you should think about an 'on demand' repayment, however this has risks for the borrower. On demand quite literally means "must be repaid on the demand of the lender". In practical terms, it is highly unlikely the loan could be repaid on demand without the home owner having to sell their property to repay the loan.

You should speak to your mortgage lender and see if they will agree to offer you a mortgage if you are also securing funds through a loan agreement between family members.
The value of the asset when assessing IHT remains the same as the original loan. Any increase in the debt, such as income or penalties fall outside of the deceased lender's estate.
The question is whether it is borrowed, meaning it is a loan to family, or is it a gifted deposit.
We will answer each of these and explain how to work around problems when borrowing money from family to buy a house. What is most important is that you have a written loan agreement between family members to protect both the borrower and the lender.
Home ownership can last for a long time and relationships can change, the lender may need the money back and there may even be an argument over whether it was a loan in the first place, or whether it was a gift. We draft loan agreements at affordable prices so get in contact if you need our help.
- 1
Is the loan a Regulated Mortgage Contract?
(a)a “regulated mortgage contract" means a contract under which— (i)a person (“the lender") provides credit to an individual or to trustees (“the borrower"); and (ii)the obligation of the borrower to repay is secured by a first legal mortgage on land (other than timeshare accommodation) in the United Kingdom, at least 40% of which is used, or is intended to be used, as or in connection with a dwelling by the borrower or (in the case of credit provided to trustees) by an individual who is a beneficiary of the trust, or by a related person;
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) provides a more detailed explanation of what is a Regulated Mortgage Contract here - PERG 4.4 What is a regulated mortgage contract?
When borrowing money from family, where the loan is secured over land and there is an interest rate of 2% or more, then the obligations of the lender are more onerous such as:
- Using a Consumer Credit Act compliant loan agreement
- Providing the borrower with an annual statement of interest and payment received;
- Notifying the borrower of changes in interest rates or payments due under the contract, or of other matters of which the contract requires him to be notified; and
- Taking any necessary steps for the purposes of collecting or recovering payments due under the contract from the borrower.
- 2
What is the interest rate or is it an interest free loan?
Something to consider is that if the loan to your relative was made 10 years ago, then the value of the capital repaid is worth less than what it was when you loaned the money. This is why family members often agree for the loan to be repaid with an interest linked to Retail Price Index (RPI).
A further consideration on the interest applicable when making a loan agreement between family is that lending money to a family member has tax implications.
We can help add all of your intentions into a loan agreement
You can review and confirm the intentions to be drafted into the loan agreement, as well as do one free revision before signing. - 3
When is the loan to be repaid?
If the loan agreement allows for repayment on a monthly basis, then you may find the first charge mortgage lender is not happy with this. If there is no mortgage lender, then the other consideration is whether the borrower can afford to satisfy the monthly repayments.
To avoid Inheritance tax implications, you should think about an 'on demand' repayment, however this has risks for the borrower. On demand quite literally means "must be repaid on the demand of the lender". In practical terms, it is highly unlikely the loan could be repaid on demand without the home owner having to sell their property to repay the loan.
- 4
Can the loan be repaid early?

- 5
Will the mortgage lender allow it?
You should speak to your mortgage lender and see if they will agree to offer you a mortgage if you are also securing funds through a loan agreement between family members.
- 6
What are the tax implications* for a loan to family?
Interest
Income tax is payable at the prevailing rate on interest on peer to peer loans.Inheritance Tax
Inheritance tax shouldn't be ignored when assessing the tax implications for a loan to family. From an IHT perspective, if the loan is repayable on demand, then the value of the lender’s estate is exactly the same before and after the loan is made and prevents the loan being treated as a ‘transfer of value’ which may be subject to IHT.The value of the asset when assessing IHT remains the same as the original loan. Any increase in the debt, such as income or penalties fall outside of the deceased lender's estate.
Do you need help drafting a loan agreement?
Our panel solicitors can help draft a loan agreement for you, whether you're borrowing or lending money to purchase a property.
Lending money to someone else? Draft a Loan Agreement £399 INC VAT | Borrowing money from someone else? Draft a Loan Agreement £399 INC VAT |
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Written by:
Andrew Boast
Andrew started his career in 2000 working within conveyancing solicitor firms and grew hands on knowledge of a wide variety of conveyancing challenges and solutions. After helping in excess of 50,000 clients in his career, he uses all this experience within his article writing for SAM, mainstream media and his self published book How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone.

Reviewed by:
Caragh Bailey
Caragh is an excellent writer in her own right as well as an accomplished copy editor for both fiction and non-fiction books, news articles and editorials. She has written extensively for SAM for a variety of conveyancing, survey and mortgage related articles.