TL;DR
NSSE Scotland: direct answer
New Supply Shared Equity is available across Scotland, but actual homes are released through housing association or local council projects.
The buyer usually pays for 60% to 80% of the home's cost, and the Scottish Government holds the remaining share under a shared equity agreement.
The scheme is for new-build homes from participating providers, not any property on the open market.
There is no rent on the Scottish Government share, but buyers still pay mortgage, factors costs, insurance, repairs, council tax and normal ownership costs.
Status
Active but project-led
NSSE is a current Scottish Government route, but mygov.scot lists specific projects and warns that not all areas have properties available. Check the current provider before planning around a specific location.
How NSSE works
Through NSSE, eligible buyers can buy a new-build home from a housing association or local council without funding the full cost. The buyer usually pays for 60% to 80% of the home, and the Scottish Government holds the remaining share under a shared equity agreement.
The buyer has complete title to the home, but the Scottish Government interest is protected by a standard security. When the home is sold or the share is increased, the government share is dealt with according to the scheme rules.
Who may qualify
The official overview says NSSE is open to first-time buyers and priority access groups including people aged 60 and over, social renters, disabled people, armed forces members, recent veterans and certain bereaved partners of service personnel.
It may also be available to people who previously owned a home but had a significant change in circumstances, such as marital breakdown. The provider or local council assesses whether the household can buy without support.
Property type and restrictions
NSSE is not an open-market scheme. It applies to new-build homes from participating housing associations or local councils, and availability depends on the current project list.
Provider rules matter
Rules can vary by provider, development, local council and lender. Always check the current criteria before reserving a property or applying.
Deposit, mortgage and costs
Your share is usually funded through deposit plus mortgage. The scheme guidance does not provide one universal deposit percentage, so deposit requirements should be described as lender-led rather than fixed.
The NSSE leaflet says you do not pay rent on the property, but you should check factoring charges. You are also responsible for mortgage payments, factors costs, insurance, repairs, maintenance, council tax and normal household bills.
After buying, the official guidance says you can increase your share by at least 5% in a year. In some areas, a 20% golden share may remain.
How to apply
The NSSE application route is separate from the mortgage application. The official guidance tells buyers to check the NSSE leaflet and current projects, then contact the relevant registered social landlord or local council directly.
- Check the current NSSE project list for your area.
- Contact the provider or council for the specific property.
- Provide income, mortgage capacity, contribution, household and housing details.
- Complete the provider application and wait for their eligibility decision.
- Arrange mortgage advice and submit the lender application for your share.
- Use a solicitor to complete purchase and shared equity documents.
Alternatives
If there is no NSSE property in your target area, compare:
- Open Market Shared Equity: open-market shared equity, currently closed pending a 2026/27 update.
- First Homes Fund: up to £10,000 support for eligible first-time buyers.
- Shared Ownership Scotland: 25%, 50% or 75% shares with an occupancy charge.
- Standard mortgage options: useful if you can afford a conventional purchase.
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.
We can test affordability for different buyer shares, compare lenders that may accept Scottish shared equity and prepare the mortgage evidence needed alongside the provider process.
Official sources
Sources checked on 2026-07-07: mygov.scot NSSE overview, NSSE how it works, NSSE how to apply, current NSSE projects and gov.scot NSSE leaflet.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is NSSE open now?
Yes, NSSE is a current Scottish scheme, but it is project-led. mygov.scot warns that not all areas have properties available.
Who can qualify for NSSE?
The official overview lists first-time buyers and priority groups, including social renters, disabled people, people aged 60 and over, armed forces members, recent veterans and certain bereaved partners.
What share do I buy?
The official how-it-works page says buyers usually pay for 60% to 80% of the home's cost, with the Scottish Government holding the rest.
Do I pay rent on the government share?
The gov.scot NSSE leaflet says you do not pay rent on the property, although factoring charges and normal home ownership costs can apply.
Do I need a mortgage and deposit?
Usually yes. Your buyer share is normally funded by deposit plus mortgage, but the exact deposit is lender-led and should not be treated as one fixed scheme rule.
Can a broker submit the NSSE application?
No. The provider or council controls scheme eligibility and allocation. Extend Finance can help with mortgage affordability, lender choice, documents and understanding the scheme's mortgage impact.