Housing Options Guide 4

Section 4. Home ownership

Scotland Self Build Loan Fund

The Scottish Government are providing a fund which will offer loans of up to £175,000 to help with construction fees for self-build projects.  The fund is time limited and the closing date for applications is 31 August 2022.  The fund cannot be used to buy land and you must show that you cannot access a loan from a bank to cover the construction costs.  The loan should be repaid by 31 August 2023. You must own the land you are going to build on or have a contract in place to buy the land.  Planning permission and a building warrant should also be in place to allow the work to start.  

The fund is administered by Communities Housing Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government.  If you would like to know more about the fund, download the self-build information brochure, or apply for the fund, contact Communities Housing Trust for an application form:

Phone:  01463 572 030

Email:  selfbuild@chtrust.co.uk 

Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT)

Due to demand, the LIFT Open Market Shared Equity Scheme budget is fully committed, and applications are  now closed.  

The Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers shared equity schemes can help you to buy your own home.  If you are a local authority or housing association tenant, you could be eligible for up to 40% towards the cost of buying a home you have chosen.  The LIFT Open Market Shared Equity scheme is administered by Link Housing and aims to help first time buyers on low to moderate incomes who wish to purchase a home on the open market but cannot afford to pay the full market price for a property.
 

The Scottish Government’s LIFT Open Market Shared Equity scheme is open to the following priority groups:
• First-time buyers
• Social renters  
• 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 are a priority group who do not need to take out a mortgage. 
 

The Scottish Government contributes between 10% and 40% of the lower of the valuation or purchase price of a home you choose on the open market. If the property is sold, the same percentage of the sale price is returned to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government’s Contribution depends on the amount you can afford to contribute from savings and a mortgage.


Find out if you are eligible by applying online. The LIFT scheme is free to apply to and there is no obligation to buy a property once you have been approved.


You can offer now offer over the property valuation provided the price paid is within the threshold price for that area and size. See the full list of threshold prices here.


Find out more about the scheme or contact Link Housing at lift@linksharedequity.co.uk or on 0330 303 0125.

The New Supply Shared Equity Scheme (NSSE) helps you to buy an affordable new build home from a council or housing association.  Eligible applicants on low to moderate incomes can buy a new home from LINK which has been built for shared equity sale.  Although you will own the property, there will be a standard security on the property.

Moray does not currently have any New Supply Shared Equity homes.

Visit the LINK website for more information on the scheme or to apply.

Scheme of Assistance

The Scheme of Assistance helps homeowners and private tenants look after their homes, and sets out the forms of assistance that may be available to help them repair, maintain, improve or adapt their homes.  
More information on the Scheme of Assistance can be found on Section 3b of this guide or in our leaflet.

Moray HandyPerson Service

If you are a homeowner or private tenant and need assistance with smaller jobs in the home, the Moray HandyPerson Service may be able to help . This is a charity run by volunteers who have all been security checked and trained.  They can visit your home and carry out certain small jobs which could help you to stay safe and independent in your own home.

They can help with a number of jobs such as:

  • Changing light bulbs
  • Fitting draught excluders, curtain rails and hanging curtains
  • Replacing toilet seats
  • Assembling flat pack furniture
  • Personal toenail trimming service
  • Decluttering your home

They can also help with pet care or shopping in certain circumstances, if you are unwell or have just come home from hospital.

The Moray HandyPerson Service can be contacted on 01343 559739.

Use the following links for more information on:

4a. Shared ownership

4b. Empty homes

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