Housing policy can be directly linked to economic growth. We have developed a range of schemes to help first-time buyers buy their first property, and help existing homeowners move home.
Actions
Cost of living crisis: find out what help is available
We are:
- offering help to first-time buyers through our Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) shared equity scheme
- working with the Home Report Implementation Group to consider the findings of the review of Home Reports, which provide buyers and sellers with information about properties at the start of the selling process
- making it easier for people to build their own homes by providing self-build guidance
- maintaining a compulsory register of property factors and a code of conduct that sets out minimum standards of practice to protect homeowners
- improving the rights and protections of mobile home residents
Background
Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) shared equity schemes help first-time buyers on low to moderate incomes to buy a home. There are two main shared equity schemes:
- Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) scheme – helps first time buyers to buy a home on the open market
- New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE) scheme – helps first time buyers to buy a new-build home from a council or housing association
The Open Market Shared Equity scheme has closed for new applications for the 2024 to 2025 financial year
The Help to Buy (Scotland) schemes and the First Home Fund shared equity scheme are now closed and will not be reopening.
An evaluation of the Scottish Government's shared equity schemes has been published.
Privacy notice relating to Scottish Government shared equity schemes.
Bills and legislation
The following legislation relates to the Home Report:
- Part 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 gives Ministers power to set regulations about the documents that need to be made available when a property is marketed for sale in Scotland.
- the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Prescribed Documents) Regulations 2008 sets out the documents sellers must give to potential buyers: the Single Survey, an Energy Report and a Property Questionnaire, which together form the Home Report. It also states the penalty for not doing so.
- the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2008. For the single survey to work, buyers must be able to rely on it. If buyers suffer a material loss due to a mistake in the Home Report, the surveyor will be liable to pay them damages. Sellers can also hold surveyors responsible for any problems with the survey.
Contact
Email: HousingMarkets@gov.scot