TL;DR
Help to Buy Scotland: direct answer
Help to Buy (Scotland) is closed to new applications, so new buyers can no longer use it to buy a new-build home.
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.
Is Help to Buy Scotland still open?
Closed to new applications
mygov.scot states that the Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes are now closed, so new buyers cannot apply. The sections below cover repayment for existing owners and the Scottish schemes you can still compare.
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.
Repaying the equity stake as an existing owner
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: shared equity help for eligible first-time buyers and priority groups buying a home on the open market. It has reopened for 2026/27 through Link Shared Equity, subject to budget availability.
- 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 options, model partial or full equity repayment, check which lenders accept homes with a shared equity stake and help you understand how the stake affects a new mortgage.
Official sources
Sources checked on 2026-10-17: mygov.scot Help to Buy overview, after buying guidance, lenders and IFAs guidance and gov.scot First Homes Fund announcement.
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 you cannot make a new application or plan a purchase around this scheme. See the alternatives above for routes that may still be open.
Is this page still useful if the scheme is closed?
Yes, if you already own a home bought through the scheme. Closing it to new buyers did not cancel existing shared equity agreements. A sale, remortgage or repayment of the government stake must still follow the relevant after-sales procedure.
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.
Can I remortgage a home bought through Help to Buy Scotland?
According to mygov.scot, to remortgage you need to contact the registered social landlord or local council that handled the purchase and send a copy of the Ranking Agreement you signed when you bought the home. Requests for additional borrowing are decided case by case, depending on the home's value and how much of the mortgage has been repaid. You are responsible for the costs, including the landlord's or council's administrative costs and the Scottish Government's solicitors' costs. We can help compare lenders that accept homes with a shared equity stake.
What alternatives are available for new buyers?
Potential routes include First Homes Fund, New Supply Shared Equity, Open Market Shared Equity (reopened for 2026/27, subject to budget availability), shared ownership and standard mortgages.
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.