Get a helping hand when buying a home
Struggling to save a deposit? See how the government’s Help to Buy scheme could help you take the first steps towards your new home.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
What is Help to Buy? Help to Buy means you can apply for a mortgage with a 5% deposit – the government provides a loan (called an equity loan) of up to 40% in for London properties or 20% outside London (the limit is 15% in Scotland). You then borrow the rest of the purchase amount as a mortgage from us. The government loan means you borrow less from the mortgage provider, giving you a wider range of mortgage rates to choose from because your loan-to-value ratio is lower.
Who’s eligible for a Help to Buy equity loan? In England, you’ll need to be a first-time buyer to qualify. In Scotland and Wales, you don’t need to be a first-time buyer, but you can’t own another property in addition to the one you’re selling. Wherever you live, you won’t be able to rent out any part of the property you buy.
Is Help to Buy only for new-build properties? Help to Buy is only for new-build properties. Ask the property developer if the property you’re interested in is eligible for help to Buy.
More Help to Buy mortgage questions? Take a look at the articles on this page for guidance on applying through Help to Buy and shared ownership. You can also read the government’s guide to affordable home ownership schemes.
Top up your deposit with an equity loan
With a Help to Buy equity loan, you can add to your deposit on a new build property.
In England, you’ll need to be a first-time buyer. In Scotland and Wales, even if you’re not a first-time buyer, you’ll still qualify, as long as you’re moving to a new build.
Up to 95% mortgages
You can apply for the scheme with a minimum deposit of 5% of the property purchase price, whether you’re buying your first home or planning to move.
Buy a share of a home and pay rent on the rest
When you part-buy, part-rent a home through shared ownership, you can apply for a smaller mortgage amount – so your deposit could be lower, too.
Buy a new home in London with a 5% deposit
Add to your deposit on a new-build home in London, whether you’re a first-time buyer or buying a new home.
|
Purchase price |
Your 5% deposit |
Max equity loan limit |
Max equity loan |
Mortgage from us |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
London |
£400,000 |
£20,000 |
40% |
£160,000 |
£220,000 |
|
Outside London |
£300,000 |
£15,000 |
20% |
£60,000 |
£225,000 |
|
Scotland |
£200,000 |
£10,000 |
15% |
£30,000 |
£160,000 |
Examples based on maximum equity loan for each region
Call us or visit a branch to make an appointment where we can discuss whether Help to Buy is suitable for you.
Our mortgage experts are available every day from 7am to 8pm, except for bank holidays. To maintain a quality service, we may monitor and record phone calls. Call charges.
Get ready to apply
Find out how to book an appointment to start your mortgage application, and see the list of documents and information you’ll need to provide.
Find a branch near you that offers appointments with mortgage advisers and see when we’re open.
You can also check our full mortgage range [PDF, 636KB] to see if our other mortgages are suitable for you, download our tariff of mortgage charges [PDF, 265KB] and read our legal information.