To have no idea if I can borrow this money?

[Didntsaveadeposit]

Have found my dream home and my mother has very kindly offered to lend me just shy of £20,000 to top up the deposit. However, I really can't believe that the government will let this pass without trying to tax it. Please can I ask if anyone has any experience in this?

as long as she stays alive for 7 years

My Mum did exactly this - lent us £20k for our deposit. We had to get a signed letter from her to say it was a gift and she wanted no claim on any property purchased with it. We then paid her back on the quiet. Well not too quiet - £1000 went to her from my account every month for 20 months but no one ever questioned anything. If they had we’d have said we were saving for home improvements and my mum was looking after the money!

As others have said. DF gave us 20,000 towards deposit and had to sign a declaration. When he died a few years later DM had to ask my brothers and I how much he'd given us as it counts towards inheritance.

We did the same as PP’s... it was declared as a gift by parents then we pay back monthly.