Update on Help to Buy (Scotland) Scheme

In a move that aims to help more families onto the housing ladder, the Scottish Government has announced that the price cap on properties eligible for the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme will remain at £200,000 in 2018/19.

The scheme helps eligible householders buy a new build home from a participating builder by contributing up to a maximum 15% equity stake in the property.

The maximum property value eligible for the scheme will be £200,000 from 1st April 2017 and will remain at this level until March 2019 – rather than a planned reduction to £175,000, which was due to be introduced on 1st April 2018.

The Government says that the changes would keep the scheme open to as many people across as many geographic locations as possible.

“We want to help people get on or up the housing ladder and Scotland’s Help to Buy scheme gives a helping hand to thousands of people,” explained Housing Minister Kevin Stewart. “We want to make home ownership as accessible as possible – with a particular focus on helping people to buy affordable new-build homes.”

“We know, however, that prices of property – and what constitutes affordable - can fluctuate massively across different parts of the country,” he said.

“That is why I have decided to retain the price cap on homes eligible for the scheme at £200,000 over the next two financial years,” he added. “This will be important in helping people own their own home across urban, rural and small towns in Scotland.”

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