TL;DR
Help to Buy Scotland: direct answer
Help to Buy (Scotland) is closed to new applications, so it should not be presented as an active route for new buyers.
Existing owners can usually decide when to buy back some or all of the Scottish Government equity stake, but the full equity support is repaid in certain situations, such as sale.
The repayment value is based on the property value at the time of repayment, not simply the original cash support.
New buyers in Scotland should compare active or limited alternatives such as First Homes Fund, New Supply Shared Equity, shared ownership and standard mortgages.
Status
Closed to new applications
mygov.scot states that the Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes are now closed. This page is therefore a repayment and alternatives guide, not an active application page.
If you are a new buyer, do not reserve a property on the assumption that Help to Buy Scotland can still be used. If you already bought through the scheme, your shared equity obligations can still affect remortgage, repayment and sale decisions.
How it worked
Help to Buy (Scotland) was a shared equity scheme for eligible new-build purchases. Buyers owned at least 85% of the home when they first bought, while the Scottish Government held the remaining equity stake.
The home had to be the buyer's sole residence. It was not a buy-to-let or second-home route, and the Scottish Government generally does not allow subletting under the scheme.
Existing owners
Existing owners can usually repay all or part of the Scottish Government equity stake. The official lender and IFA guidance says there is no set deadline for repayment, but the full equity support must be repaid in certain situations, such as when the home is sold.
The repayment amount is based on the property value at the time of repayment. If the Scottish Government owns 15% and the home is sold, the government is due 15% of the sale price, not simply the original cash amount.
Rules can vary
Remortgage, repayment and sale steps can vary by lender, solicitor, administering agent and your own shared equity documents. Check the current process before making a legal or mortgage commitment.
Alternatives
For new buyers, the useful comparison is now with current or limited Scottish routes rather than with Help to Buy itself.
- First Homes Fund: up to £10,000 Scottish Government shared equity support for eligible first-time buyers, subject to current rules.
- New Supply Shared Equity: project-led shared equity for new-build homes from housing associations or councils.
- Open Market Shared Equity: an open-market shared equity route, but currently closed according to mygov.scot.
- Shared Ownership Scotland: buy 25%, 50% or 75% of a home and pay an occupancy charge on the housing association share.
- Standard first-time buyer mortgage: may be simpler if affordability and deposit are strong enough.
How Extend Finance can help
Extend Finance can help with the mortgage side: affordability, lender choice, documents and understanding how the scheme affects the application. We do not decide scheme eligibility, allocate properties or approve the scheme application.
For existing Help to Buy Scotland owners, we can compare remortgage routes, model partial or full equity repayment, check lender appetite and help you understand how the old shared equity stake affects a new mortgage.
Official sources
Sources checked on 2026-07-07: mygov.scot Help to Buy overview, after buying guidance and lenders and IFAs guidance.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I still apply for Help to Buy Scotland?
No. mygov.scot says the Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes are now closed, so no new applications should be planned around this scheme.
Is this page still useful if the scheme is closed?
Yes, for existing owners. Repayment, remortgage and sale decisions can still depend on the Scottish Government equity stake.
Do existing owners have a fixed repayment deadline?
The official lender and IFA guidance says there is no set deadline for buyers to repay the equity support, although full repayment is required in certain situations such as sale.
How is the equity repayment calculated?
It is based on the property's value at the time of repayment. If the government owns 15%, it is due 15% of the relevant value when repayment is triggered.
What alternatives are available for new buyers?
Potential routes include First Homes Fund, New Supply Shared Equity, shared ownership and standard mortgages. OMSE is worth monitoring but is currently closed.
Can a broker reopen Help to Buy Scotland?
No. A broker cannot reopen the scheme or change government terms. A broker can help with the mortgage side, repayment planning and alternatives.