Affordable home ownership schemes

LIFT helps people buy a home when they can’t afford to do it on their own. 

You’ll still put down a deposit and take out a mortgage. The Scottish Government pays part of the price, so you need to borrow less. There are two options

• Open Market Shared Equity – helps you buy a home that’s already for sale.
• New Supply Shared Equity – helps you buy a new‑build home from a council or housing association.

You own the home and your name is on the title deeds. The Scottish Government owns a share because they helped with the price, and they get that share back if the home is sold.

Shared ownership helps you buy a home in stages. You buy a share of the home and pay an occupancy charge on the rest.

• You’ll usually put down a deposit and take out a mortgage for the share you’re buying. The rest of the home is owned by a housing association.
• You own your share of the home and your name is on the title deeds. You can often buy more shares later if your situation changes.

Not every home is available through Shared Ownership. It depends on what housing associations and developers are offering in your area.

Forces Help to Buy gives eligible serving Armed Forces personnel an interest‑free loan to help with a deposit and other buying costs.

You still take out a mortgage to buy the home. The loan helps reduce the amount you need to save or borrow upfront.

You own the home and your name is on the title deeds, just like any other homeowner.

First Homes offers new‑build homes at a discounted price for eligible buyers.

You still put down a deposit and take out a mortgage, but the lower price means you need to borrow less.

The discount stays with the home when it’s sold in the future.

Right to Buy lets some council tenants buy the home they already live in, often at a discount.

You’ll usually put down a deposit and take out a mortgage for the purchase.

Once bought, you own the home outright.

Rent to Buy helps people work towards buying a home if they’re not ready yet.

You apply to rent a property that is in the scheme at a lower rent than usual, which can make it easier to save for a deposit. The aim is to buy a home later, once you’re in a better position.

You won’t need a mortgage at the start. If you decide to buy in the future, you’d then put down a deposit and apply for a mortgage in the usual way.

This helps people buy a new‑build home in Wales with a smaller deposit.

You’ll put down a deposit and take out a mortgage. The Welsh Government helps by lending part of the price, so you need to borrow less from a lender.

You own the home and your name is on the title deeds. The government’s share is paid back when the home is sold.