The Help to Buy ISA scheme is now closed, but we can still accept applications that include this as source of deposit.
Help to Buy: ISA
The Help to Buy: ISA scheme would make a difference to your clients looking to buy their first home. It was designed to take advantage of the Help to Buy Scheme and to boost your client's savings towards a property purchase by 25%.
Final bonus will be dependent on both terms and conditions and eligibility criteria.
The Help to Buy: ISA could be used with other government schemes, including the Help to Buy - Equity Loan scheme and Shared Ownership.
Opening the account doesn't automatically entitle your client to a bonus. For full details of the Scheme Rules, please visit the Help to Buy: ISA website.
How Help to Buy: ISA works
When your client is ready to buy, their conveyancer will claim the bonus (25% of the closing balance) from the Scheme, to put towards their property purchase. The bonus is usually paid between exchange and completion. So for every £200 saved, the government will add £50.
- the minimum bonus is £400 (on a minimum savings balance of £1,600)
- the maximum is £3,000 (on a savings balance of £12,000).
For shared or joint ownership properties the purchase price means the full sale price of the property, not just the cost of the initial share being bought.
How to key
Help to Buy: ISA must be keyed as savings when submitting applications on NFI Online. Don’t select 'Help to Buy' under 'External scheme' upon application unless your client is participating in the Help to Buy - Equity Share scheme.
Your clients' Help to Buy: ISA closing statement may be required as proof of deposit to us and they'll need to provide a copy to their solicitor who will then apply to the Scheme Administrator for the bonus. The bonus will be sent directly to the solicitor.
Help to Buy: ISA FAQs
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What is the minimum amount of time that the account needs to be opened for? This will reveal additional content
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When should the account be closed? This will reveal additional content
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Can two people buying a property together use a Help to Buy: ISA? This will reveal additional content
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My client is buying with their partner who has previously owned a property. Are they eligible? This will reveal additional content
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Are there any restrictions on the type of property that my client can buy? This will reveal additional content
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How does Help to Buy: ISA work with Shared Ownership? This will reveal additional content
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What happens if the property purchase falls through? This will reveal additional content
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Does my client have to take out a mortgage with the Help to Buy: ISA provider? This will reveal additional content
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If the eligibility criteria is met, when will the Help to Buy ISA bonus be paid? This will reveal additional content
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Can the Help to Buy: ISA be used with other Government housing schemes? This will reveal additional content