Looking to Buy Your First Home? The LIFT Shared Equity Scheme Has Reopened
Buying Your First Home? Find Out How the LIFT Shared Equity Scheme Could Help
For many people, getting onto the property ladder can feel out of reach, particularly when saving for a deposit and meeting the cost of buying a home can be challenging.
The LIFT Open Market Shared Equity Scheme (OMSE) is designed to help eligible buyers purchase a home on the open market where they may otherwise struggle to afford the full purchase price.
If you are thinking about buying your first home, or you fall within one of the scheme's priority groups, the reopening of OMSE could provide another opportunity to make home ownership more achievable.
What is the LIFT Open Market Shared Equity Scheme?
The LIFT Open Market Shared Equity Scheme is a Scottish Government scheme designed to help eligible buyers purchase a property on the open market.
Under the scheme, the buyer contributes towards the purchase price, with the Scottish Government taking an equity share in the property.
This can reduce the amount that an eligible buyer needs to fund themselves, potentially making a property more affordable.
Who can apply?
OMSE is open to first-time buyers as well as a number of priority groups.
These include:
- First-time buyers
- Social renters who rent from a council or Registered Social Landlord
- People with a disability who can demonstrate a housing need
- Members of the armed forces
- Veterans who have left the armed forces within the past two years
- Widows, widowers and other partners of service personnel who have lost their life while serving in the armed forces within the last two years
- People aged over 60 with a housing need
There are additional eligibility requirements which apply, so being within one of these groups does not automatically mean that you will qualify.
It is important to check the current scheme criteria before proceeding with a purchase.
New property price thresholds
As part of the reopening of the scheme, new maximum property price thresholds are now in place.
The maximum price you can pay depends on the area of Scotland and the size of the property, based on the number of bedrooms and self-contained living rooms.
This is an important consideration when searching for a property, as a home above the applicable threshold may not qualify for the scheme.
If you are considering using OMSE, we recommend checking the relevant price threshold for the area and property size before making an offer.
How can shared equity help?
The shared equity arrangement can help eligible buyers purchase a property without having to fund the entire purchase price themselves.
The buyer purchases a share of the property, while the Scottish Government holds an equity share.
The exact arrangements will depend on the individual circumstances and the terms of the scheme.
It is important to understand how the shared equity arrangement works before committing to a purchase, including what happens if you decide to sell the property or increase your share in the future.
What should you do if you think you may qualify?
If you think you may be eligible for OMSE, your first step should be to check the current eligibility requirements and property price thresholds.
It is also sensible to speak to a mortgage adviser to establish what you may be able to borrow and what you can realistically afford.
Buying through LIFT? Middleton Ross can help with your conveyancing
If you are purchasing a property through the LIFT Open Market Shared Equity Scheme, having a solicitor who understands the conveyancing involved can help make the process as straightforward as possible.
Our experienced conveyancing team can assist with the legal work involved in your purchase, including dealing with your offer, negotiating and concluding missives, working with your mortgage lender and other parties involved in the transaction, and progressing the purchase through to settlement and registration.
We understand that buying your first home can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, particularly when you are navigating a shared equity scheme at the same time.
Our aim is to make the legal side of your purchase as straightforward and stress-free as possible. We will keep you informed throughout the process and are always happy to answer your questions.
Contact our conveyancing team today to find out how we can help with your LIFT purchase.
What about the First Homes Fund?
The First Homes Fund, which reopened in June 2026, also remains open.
If you are looking to buy a home, it may be worth considering which scheme is most appropriate for your circumstances. Eligibility and scheme requirements can vary, so make sure you check the latest information before proceeding.
Find out more
For the latest information on the LIFT Open Market Shared Equity Scheme, including eligibility requirements and current property price thresholds, visit the official Link Housing website.
Please note that scheme eligibility, property price thresholds and terms can change. This article is intended as general information only and should not be relied upon as confirmation that you qualify for the scheme. Buyers should check the latest information and eligibility requirements directly with the scheme provider.
