Ultimate Guide to Help to Buy Mortgages

Government-backed mortgage schemes including Help to Buy equity loans, shared ownership, and other assistance programs for first-time buyers and those struggling to afford a deposit.

Typical deposit 5% · Typical timeline 4-8 weeks

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Summary

Government-backed mortgage assistance schemes. Typical deposit: 5%. Typical rates: 4.0% - 5.5%. Usual timeline: 4-8 weeks. There are 2,210 help to buy mortgage brokers listed on Mortgage118.

What is Help to Buy?

Understanding the fundamentals and purpose of help to buy financing

Government-backed mortgage assistance schemes.

Help to Buy mortgages work alongside government-backed schemes that assist buyers in getting onto the property ladder. While the original Help to Buy equity loan scheme in England closed to new applications in 2023, shared ownership and the Lifetime ISA remain available to eligible buyers.

Key Features

Essential characteristics that make help to buy mortgages unique

Government equity loan up to 20% (40% in London)

5% deposit requirement

Interest-free for first 5 years

Available for new build properties

First-time buyer eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

Key criteria you need to meet to qualify for help to buy financing

In most cases you'll need to meet both property and borrower criteria — lenders assess the deal as a whole.

Property Requirements

New build property only
Maximum property value limits
Property must be main residence
Developer must be registered
Property must meet quality standards

Borrower Requirements

First-time buyer status
UK resident and over 18
Able to afford mortgage payments
Maximum household income limits
No other property ownership

Application Process

Step-by-step guide to securing your help to buy mortgage

Timescales vary by lender and case complexity — the steps below are typical.

Initial Consultation

30-60 min

Discuss your financial situation and mortgage needs

Agreement in Principle

1-2 days

Get a conditional mortgage offer based on basic checks

Full Application

1-2 days

Submit detailed financial documents and forms

Property Valuation

1-2 weeks

Lender arranges property survey and valuation

Underwriting & Offer

2-4 weeks

Lender reviews application and issues formal offer

Completion

4-6 weeks

Legal work completed and funds transferred

Total: 4-8 weeks

Current Help to Buy Rates

Latest interest rates and pricing for help to buy mortgages

Interest Rates

Typical range for help to buy mortgages

4.0% - 5.5%

3.5% - 6.5%

Deposit Required

Minimum deposit for help to buy financing

Min: 5%

Processing Time

From application to completion

4-8 weeks

Average timeline

Indicative figures only — rates and fees vary by lender and your circumstances. A qualified adviser can give personalised quotes.

Benefits & Considerations

Weighing the advantages and important factors for help to buy mortgages

Benefits

Lower deposit requirement (5%)
Interest-free equity loan for 5 years
Access to competitive mortgage rates
Government backing reduces risk
Help entering property market

Important Considerations

Limited to new build properties
Income and property value limits
Equity loan must be repaid
Interest charges after 5 years
Limited to first-time buyers

Fees Guide

Understanding the costs and fees associated with help to buy mortgages

Arrangement Fee

Lender product fee

£0 - £1,999

often added to loan

Valuation Fee

Property survey

£0 - £1,500

sometimes free with lender

Legal Fees

Conveyancing costs

£800 - £1,500

plus disbursements

Broker Fee

Advice and arrangement

£0 - £500

some brokers are fee-free

Important Notice

Fees can vary significantly between lenders and depend on your specific circumstances. Advisers will provide you with a detailed breakdown of all costs before you proceed.

Useful Resources

Authoritative links to help with your help to buy mortgage journey

FCA Register

Check a firm is authorised

MoneyHelper

Free, impartial mortgage help

GOV.UK

Help to Buy and other schemes

Top Help to Buy Brokers

Verified specialist brokers with expertise in help to buy financing

2210 brokers in this directory

Tembo

Unverified

Hackney

Tembo is a mortgage broker based in Hackney. The firm supports clients with Buy-to-Let and First Time Buyers mortgages.

5 (3135)

Yellow Brick Mortgages

Unverified

Norwich

Yellow Brick Mortgages is a mortgage broker based in Norwich. The firm supports clients with Adverse Credit and Auction mortgages.

5 (1202)

Create Finance

Unverified

Derby

Create Finance is a mortgage broker based in Derby. The firm supports clients with Adverse Credit and Auction mortgages.

5 (1168)

Advantage Financial Solutions

Unverified

Thornbury

Advantage Financial Solutions is a mortgage broker based in Thornbury. The firm supports clients with Adverse Credit and Auction mortgages.

5 (795)

Derbyshire Mortgage Services

Unverified

Leicester

Derbyshire Mortgage Services is a mortgage broker based in Leicester. The firm supports clients with First Time Buyers and Help to Buy mortgages.

5 (727)

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and answers about help to buy mortgages

What is the Help to Buy equity loan scheme?▼

A:The Help to Buy equity loan is a government scheme that provides an equity loan of up to 20% (40% in London) of the property value, allowing you to buy with just a 5% deposit. The loan is interest-free for the first 5 years.

Who is eligible for Help to Buy?▼

A:Help to Buy is available to first-time buyers who are UK residents, over 18, and can afford the mortgage payments. There are income limits and property value limits that vary by region.

What deposit do I need for Help to Buy?▼

A:You need a minimum 5% deposit for Help to Buy, with the government providing up to 20% (40% in London) as an equity loan, and you take out a mortgage for the remaining 75% (55% in London).

Can I use Help to Buy for any property?▼

A:No, Help to Buy is only available for new build properties from registered developers. The property must be your main residence and meet certain quality standards.

What are the income limits for Help to Buy?▼

A:Income limits vary by region, but generally, your household income must be below £80,000 (£90,000 in London). These limits are designed to help those who need assistance entering the property market.

What are the property value limits for Help to Buy?▼

A:Property value limits vary by region, ranging from £186,100 in the North East to £600,000 in London. These limits are designed to ensure the scheme helps with affordable housing.

How does the equity loan work?▼

A:The government provides an equity loan that you don't pay interest on for the first 5 years. After 5 years, you pay interest at 1.75% per year, increasing annually by inflation. You can repay the loan at any time.

Can I repay the equity loan early?▼

A:Yes, you can repay the equity loan at any time, either in full or in part (minimum 10% of the property's current value). Early repayment can help reduce your overall costs.

What happens when I sell my Help to Buy property?▼

A:When you sell, you must repay the equity loan based on the property's current value. If the property has increased in value, you'll pay back more than the original loan amount.

Can I get Help to Buy if I'm self-employed?▼

A:Yes, self-employed buyers can use Help to Buy, though you'll need to provide detailed accounts and tax returns. The mortgage lender will assess your income based on your business performance.

Practical guides and explainers from our blog — relevant to this mortgage type.

Help to Buy

Help to Buy Alternatives: What Replaced the Equity Loan?

With Help to Buy closed, what are the alternatives in 2026? This guide covers First Homes, shared ownership, Lifetime ISAs, and other government-backed routes onto the property ladder.

30 March 2026Read

Help to Buy

Help to Buy ISA Rules: What You Need to Know

Everything you need to know about Help to Buy ISAs — contribution limits, government bonus rules, how to claim, and how they compare to Lifetime ISAs.

30 March 2026Read

Help to Buy

Shared Ownership Mortgages: How They Work in 2026

How shared ownership mortgages work, who qualifies, the staircasing process, and the pros and cons of part-buying, part-renting your home in 2026.

30 March 2026Read

Help to Buy

Help to Buy Mortgages: Complete Government Scheme Guide

Complete guide to Help to Buy mortgages. Learn about government equity loans, eligibility, and application process.

29 September 2025Read

Related Specialisations

Explore other mortgage types that might be relevant to your needs

First Time Buyers

Learn more about first time buyers mortgages

Shared Ownership

Learn more about shared ownership mortgages

Residential

Learn more about residential mortgages

Browse Help to Buy Brokers by Location

These pages list active advisers in each area — use them to narrow down, then check each profile covers help to buy lending.

North West South East West Midlands East Midlands Yorkshire South West East of England North East

Browse all UK regions →

Content last reviewed: March 2026. Rates and criteria may have changed - always confirm with a qualified adviser.

Broker

Ultimate Guide to Help to Buy Mortgages

What is Help to Buy?

Related Guides

Key Features

Eligibility Requirements

Property Requirements

Borrower Requirements

Application Process

Initial Consultation

Agreement in Principle

Full Application

Property Valuation

Underwriting & Offer

Completion

Current Help to Buy Rates

Interest Rates

Deposit Required

Processing Time

Benefits & Considerations

Benefits

Important Considerations

Fees Guide

Arrangement Fee

Valuation Fee

Legal Fees

Broker Fee

Useful Resources

FCA Register

MoneyHelper

GOV.UK