TL;DR
Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee NI - status
The old Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is closed to new loans. nidirect states it closed on 31 December 2016.
New buyers can no longer use this scheme. This guide explains what it means if you took out a mortgage under the old scheme, and which options are available now: lender-led high loan-to-value (high-LTV) mortgages, the separate 2025 Mortgage Guarantee Scheme and active Northern Ireland schemes such as Co-Ownership.
Extend Finance can help you compare current mortgage options, including high loan-to-value products and active Northern Ireland schemes, and prepare your mortgage application. We cannot reopen the old scheme or guarantee a lender decision.
Status: closed to new loans
The old Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme closed to new loans on 31 December 2016. You cannot apply for it now, but current mortgage options and active Northern Ireland schemes may still be available.
Old scheme status
The old Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme helped some buyers obtain high loan-to-value mortgages, but the government guarantee protected the lender rather than removing the borrower repayment responsibility.
nidirect confirms the old scheme closed to new loans on 31 December 2016, so it is not an option for anyone buying a home now.
Existing borrowers
If you already have a mortgage that used the old scheme, your obligations are mortgage obligations with the lender. The guarantee does not pay your mortgage if you fall behind.
If you need to remortgage, move home or borrow more, the lender will assess you under its current criteria and products. See our remortgage guide or speak to an adviser about your options.
Current alternatives
The 2025 Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is a separate, permanent UK-wide scheme published by GOV.UK. It is lender-led: participating lenders can offer mortgages above 90% and up to 95% loan-to-value (a deposit from 5%), and you apply for the mortgage with the lender, not to the government. It is not a continuation of the old Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, which closed in 2016.
Northern Ireland buyers may also compare Co-Ownership, FairShare or a standard first-time buyer mortgage with a low deposit. If none fits yet, building a larger deposit or improving your credit profile can widen your options.
How this differs from active NI schemes
- Co-Ownership: shared ownership in Northern Ireland, usually with a 50–90% buyer share. Current property limits are £215,000 for existing homes and £230,000 for new builds; affordability determines your individual limit.
- FairShare: shared ownership for approved new-build properties through participating housing associations, with rent on the unsold share.
- Equity Sharing: tenant-only part-buy route within the House Sales Scheme, not an open-market buyer scheme.
- House Sales Scheme: for eligible Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants. The statutory route for registered housing-association tenants closed to new applications on 28 August 2022.
- Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee: this historic scheme is closed to new loans. Current low-deposit mortgage options must be checked separately with lenders.
How a mortgage adviser can help
An adviser can compare current high-LTV lenders, check whether the 2025 Mortgage Guarantee Scheme or a standard mortgage may fit, and compare active NI alternatives. We cannot reopen or approve the old closed scheme.
Check current alternatives
The old scheme is closed, but you may still have current mortgage options. Extend Finance can review lender criteria, affordability and active Northern Ireland alternatives.
Official sources
Check official sources: nidirect Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, GOV.UK 2025 Mortgage Guarantee Scheme and 2025 scheme rules.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee still open in Northern Ireland?
The old Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is not open to new loans. nidirect states it closed to new loans on 31 December 2016.
Did the guarantee protect the borrower?
No. The guarantee protected the lender against part of its losses, not the borrower against missed payments. You remained responsible for the mortgage, and the guarantee did not remove the risk of repossession.
Is the 2025 Mortgage Guarantee Scheme the same thing?
No. GOV.UK describes the 2025 Mortgage Guarantee Scheme as a separate, permanent UK-wide scheme for 91% to 95% loan-to-value mortgages through participating lenders. It is not a reopening of the old Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, which closed in 2016.
What are alternatives for Northern Ireland buyers?
Co-Ownership, FairShare, standard first-time buyer mortgages and lender-led high-LTV mortgages may be relevant depending on affordability, property type and lender criteria.
Do I apply separately for a government mortgage guarantee?
No. You apply for a mortgage through a participating lender; the guarantee is an arrangement between the lender and government. Extend Finance can help compare mortgage options and prepare the lender application. We do not approve mortgage eligibility or government guarantees.