LIFT Mortgage Scheme
The LIFT (Low Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers) scheme is a Scottish Government shared equity programme designed to help first-time buyers and priority groups on low-to-medium incomes purchase a home when they cannot afford the full market price.
Schedule a LIFT Mortgage consultation today
Key Features
Government Contribution
The Scottish Government provides funding for 10% to 40% of the property's purchase price, allowing buyers to purchase the remaining 60% to 90%.
No Rent or Interest
Unlike similar schemes elsewhere, there are no monthly payments, interest, or rent charged on the government's equity share.
Homeownership
You hold the title deeds and own the property outright from day one.
Staircasing
Buyers have the option to increase their ownership share by 5% each year, purchasing more of the government's remaining share over time.
Types of LIFT Schemes
Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE)
One of the two branches of the lift mortgage scheme, the OMSE scheme enables the purchase of existing homes that are for sale on the open market. Note: Applications are currently closed, awaiting reopening.
New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE)
The other branch of the lift mortgage scheme, this supply shared equity scheme enables the purchase of new-build homes delivered through councils or housing associations.
Eligibility and Requirements
Target Audience
Primarily for eligible first-time buyers or those in other priority groups, including armed forces veterans, members of the armed services who have left the armed forces, social renters, people aged 60 and over with a housing need, disabled applicants, and partners of service personnel; bereaved partners and other partners may also qualify in some cases.
Financials
Applicants must be on low-to-medium incomes and cannot afford to purchase the property without the scheme's assistance. You cannot apply if you can raise over 90% of the property value.
Restrictions
The property must be your sole residence; subletting is prohibited. The property must meet maximum area price thresholds and be advertised for sale publicly. For property size rules, an apartment is based on habitable room count, and living rooms, dining rooms, and box rooms each count as a habitable room for sizing purposes.
Sale of Property
Upon selling, the government recovers its original percentage share of the final sale price.
How to Proceed
The scheme is administered across Scotland by Link Housing through its dedicated LIFT team. Interested parties should verify their eligibility, secure mortgage pre-approval for their share, and apply online through Link Housing’s website. Price thresholds for property purchases vary by local authority and the number of rooms in the property. Guidance for buyers was published in September 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Start Your LIFT Scheme Journey Today
Get expert mortgage advice covering the whole of the market with a transparent fee structure and no hidden costs. Our mortgage advisers are here to assist you at every step of purchasing your property.
Important Information
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
A fee may be charged for mortgage arrangement, the amount of which depends on your individual circumstances, such as credit history or employment history.
The fee is typically £395 for a property purchase and £199 for a remortgage — we do not charge a fee for a product transfer.
We will provide you with written confirmation of the exact fee before any paid work begins.