Government schemes

We're proud to offer mortgages provided by Halifax.

Bank of Scotland supports a range of government backed initiatives including the mortgage guarantee scheme and Help to Buy. So if you're a first time buyer or a home mover, there could be a scheme to help you.

Mortgage guarantee scheme

You can apply for a first time buyer or home mover mortgage of up to 95% of the property’s value under the Government’s mortgage guarantee scheme.

If you’re planning to put down a deposit of at least 5% but less than 10%, to qualify you’ll need to be:

  • a first-time buyer or home mover
  • thinking about borrowing less than £570,000.
  • buying a property that’s not a new build flat, Shared Ownership, Shared Equity, Right to Buy or buy to let
  • applying for a qualifying mortgage by 31 December 2023 (however, the scheme may be withdrawn earlier) and complete on your mortgage by 30 June 2024 
  • applying for a mortgage with a loan to value (LTV) of more than 90% and less than, or equal to, 95%.
  • thinking about getting a repayment mortgage and not interest only.

Lending is subject to an affordability assessment, credit score and a full mortgage application. You can apply for a mortgage under the scheme by following our usual application process.

First time buyer mortgages

Home mover mortgages

You could lose your home if you don't keep up your mortgage repayments

Talk to one of our mortgage advisers

At Bank of Scotland we are proud to offer our customers mortgages provided by the Halifax, who have over 160 years' experience helping people own their homes.

You can begin your full mortgage application by calling us on 0345 300 2297. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday 9am-4pm.

Or, you can book a telephone appointment with a mortgage adviser at your local branch. 

Request an appointment

Other Government schemes in Scotland

  • If you can’t get a mortgage to buy a property outright, a shared ownership scheme could enable you to buy a 25-75% share in partnership with a social landlord like a housing association. You would then pay ‘rent’ on the share that you do not own to the landlord.

    For example, if you bought a 50% share of a property at £100,000 then you would rent on the remaining £50,000.

    When you part-buy, part-rent a home through shared ownership, you can apply for a smaller mortgage – so your deposit could be lower too.

    Eligibility criteria and exclusions apply. For more details, speak to a mortgage adviser.

    How does Shared Ownership work?
    1. Contact the agent below in the area you would like to live. 
    2. Speak to one of our mortgage advisers to start your application by calling us on 0345 300 2297 (Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm).
    3. Find a property and make an offer.
    4. Complete your mortgage application.

    For more details on Shared Ownership, visit the Scottish Government website.

  • Bank of Scotland is supporting the Governments MoD Forces Help to Buy scheme, which allows forces personnel to borrow up to £25,000 interest free (repaid over 10 years) to use as a deposit when buying a property to be used as their main home.

    You can apply for a mortgage through a Bank of Scotland branch or over the telephone; remember to tell the mortgage adviser the deposit is being provided through the Forces Help to Buy scheme.

    How to use Forces Help to Buy
    1. Seek advice through your Chain of Command and personnel agency.
    2. Speak to one of our mortgage advisers to start your application by calling us on 0345 300 2297 (Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm).
    3. Find a property and make an offer.
    4. Complete your mortgage application

    For more details on Forces Help to Buy visit the UK Government website.

  • The Help to Buy: ISA is closed for new applications.

    If you already have a Help to Buy: ISA you can still save and claim the Government 25% bonus (minimum £400 and maximum £3,000). Although closed to new applications, the Government Bonus can still be claimed up to November 2030.

    You can also still transfer your Help to Buy: ISA to us from another bank or building society.

    For more details please call us on 0345 300 2297 (Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm) or view our Help to Buy: ISA information.

Bank of Scotland is supporting the Governments Open Market Share Equity (OMSE) scheme. If you cannot afford the full price of a home for sale in the open market you might be able to get help through the OMSE scheme.

It is available across Scotland. It's open to first-time buyers and these priority access groups:

  • people aged 60 and over
  • social renters (people who rent from the council or a housing association)
  • disabled people
  • 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 for up to two years after their partner has lost their life while serving

Eligibility criteria and exclusions apply. For more details speak to a Mortgage Adviser.

How does Open Market Share Equity work?

1. Contact the agent below in the area you would like to live. 

2. Speak to one of our mortgage advisers to start your application by calling us on 0345 300 2297 (Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm).

More information is available on the Scottish Government Website.