Updated October 2026 · Fraser Bond
Buying · First-time buyers
Help to Buy and alternatives
Closed2022–23
Sharedownership
LifetimeISA
95%mortgages
In short: The Help to Buy equity loan scheme in England closed to new applications in October 2022 (with final completions by March 2023), so you can't use it to buy now. Alternatives include shared ownership, First Homes (discounted new-builds for local first-time buyers), the Lifetime ISA bonus, and 95% and some 100% mortgages. If you already have a Help to Buy loan, interest fees started in year six and rise each year, so many owners remortgage to repay it or sell. Selling a Help to Buy home means repaying the government's share of the sale price.
Shared ownership
Buy a share, pay rent on the rest.
First Homes
New-builds at a discount for eligible buyers.
Lifetime ISA
25% government bonus up to £1,000 a year.
Existing loans
Remortgage to repay, or sell and repay.
Frequently asked questions
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Can I still get Help to Buy?
No, it closed to new buyers.
How do I repay my loan?
Remortgage, use savings or sell.
Selling a Help to Buy home?
Talk to our team or get a free valuation.
Speak to our teamGet a free valuation
