Can I get help from my parents or family members to get a mortgage?

Gifted funds vs. joint applications

There are two distinct ways family can help: gifting money toward your down payment, or joining the mortgage application as a co-borrower. These are treated very differently by banks.

• Gifted down payment — a lump sum transferred to you, generally accompanied by a signed gift declaration confirming it is not a loan and has no repayment obligation
• Co-applicant / co-borrower — a family member's income and liabilities are added to the mortgage, increasing your affordability but also making them liable for the loan

Documentation banks typically require

For gifted funds, expect to provide a paper trail: a signed gift letter, proof of the source of funds, and a bank statement showing the transfer landing in your account well before application. Undocumented or unexplained large deposits can delay or even derail your approval, since banks screen for undisclosed liabilities that could push your debt burden ratio (DBR) over the limit.

• Gift letter stating the amount, the relationship to you, and that repayment is not expected
• Proof of the giver's source of funds (savings, sale of an asset, etc.)
• Bank statement showing the transfer at least a few weeks before you apply
• Some banks may also request the giver's ID documents

Why the down payment size matters

Since LTV caps mean a first home under AED 5M typically requires at least 20% down, family support can be the difference between qualifying now and waiting years to save independently. On a AED 2,000,000 property, that's AED 400,000 in down payment alone, before acquisition costs — see the full worked cost example for the complete cash requirement.

Alternatives if a gift isn't available

• A joint application with a spouse to combine incomes — see buying with your spouse
• Liquidating existing investments or savings certificates
• A developer payment plan for off-plan property, spreading the deposit over time

Next steps

Use the mortgage calculator to see how a larger down payment changes your monthly repayment, and check minimum salary requirements so you know the full affordability picture before approaching a bank.