LIFT Scheme

If you are a local authority or housing association tenant, you could be eligible for funding of up to 40% towards the cost of a home through the Scottish Government’s LIFT scheme.  

The LIFT (Low-Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers) OMSE (Open Market Shared Equity) scheme helps first-time buyers, and other priority groups, get onto the property ladder by providing an interest-free loan towards the cost of a property. The Scottish Government provides funding of between 10% and 40% of the sale price and gets the same percentage back when the property is sold.  

For example, if you find a home for £100,000 and you can afford to contribute £70,000 (through mortgage and deposit), the Scottish Government could provide the remaining 30% (£30,000). When the property is sold, 30% of the sale price would be returned to the Scottish Government.   

When buying a home through a shared equity scheme, you own it outright just as you would buying without assistance.   

Find out more about the LIFT scheme and apply online: 

LIFT Scheme

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