LIFT for Social Renters

 

What is social rent? Social renters must have a Scottish Secure Tenancy, Short Scottish Secure Tenancy or Occupancy Agreement with a Council or Registered Social Landlord. Mid Market Rent tenants have a private tenancy agreement which is not social rented. 

The Scottish Government contributes between 10% and 40% of the valuation or purchase price (whichever is lower) of a home you have chosen on the open market. When it is sold, the same percentage of the sale price is returned to the Scottish Government; or you can increase your equity share at any point that it suits you to do so.  

 The Scottish Government’s Contribution % depends on the amount you can afford to contribute from savings, and a mortgage (optional for over 60s in housing need). Your minimum contribution will be detailed in your Passport Approval Letter. 

 Your Passport Approval Letter gives you up to 12 weeks to find a suitable property. Settlement must take place by 31 March 2026. If you do not find a property to buy on time, you can reapply to the scheme subject to budget availability.  

When you have found a home you want to buy, and before you make an offer, simply send us the details to assess whether the property meets the scheme criteria.  All you need to do is send us a copy of the Home Report, a link to the property advert online, confirmation of your acting Solicitor and the maximum purchase price you would be looking to offer. 

The price paid must be within the Maximum Threshold Price for the location and size of property. Buyers can pay over valuation, from their own funds, provided the price paid is within the Maximum Threshold Price for the property size and location.  

The Maximum Threshold for each area depends on the number of Apartments. An apartment is a habitable room, including bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and box rooms (subject to size). Kitchens, bathrooms and conservatories are not classed as apartments. For example, a three-apartment property could have two bedrooms and a living room. 

 There is no upper size limit on the property you can buy. 

If you know roughly how much you can contribute from savings and a mortgage (which is optional if you are over 60), check out our  LIFT OMSE Calculator ready reckoner. 

 Check what local authority area a property is in using our Postcode checker.  

The Scottish Government's equity stake % is their contribution divided by the lower of the purchase price or valuation.  

Read our  Leaflet  for an easy step by step guide to applying.    

We recommend that you speak with an Independent Financial Adviser or Mortgage Adviser before applying. You will need to provide a Mortgage Promise or Mortgage Agreement in Principle along with your application unless you are over 60 and buying without a mortgage.  

Supporting documents  for all applicants who will be living in the property, irrespective of whether they will be on the mortgage, must be received before we can assess your application. All supporting documents should be submitted with your application.  

Apply here   

We will assess applications within 5 working days of receipt of all supporting documents.  

To support your application, you need to provide the following:  

• One mortgage decision in principle, unless you are over 60 in housing need and applying without a mortgage  

• Your most recent 3 months’ bank statements for all accounts held for each applicant  

• Your most recent 3 months’ confirmation of all savings held for each applicant  

• Your most recent 3 months’ (or 12 weeks) payslips for each applicant  

• If you are self-employed, a copy of your last year’s accounts or most recent SA302 tax form  

• Your most recent award notice for any benefit payments including Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit and Personal Independence Payment  

• Proof of accommodation status such as tenancy agreement, mortgage redemption statement or letter from parent or guardian if living with them 

 

We recommend speaking to an Independent Financial Adviser or Mortgage Adviser before applying to the scheme.  

 

There are currently 14 lenders offering mortgages for the OMSE scheme:  

• Bank of Scotland  

• Barclays  

• Capital Credit Union  

• Glasgow Credit Union  

• Halifax  

• Leeds  

• Lloyds Bank  

• Nationwide  

• Natwest  

• The Royal Bank of Scotland  

• Skipton  

• TSB  

• Scottish Building Society  

• Scotwest Credit Union  

There may be other lenders available: please check with your Financial Adviser, bank or building society.  

If your application is eligible, you will be issued with a Passport Approval Letter, which is valid for up to 12 weeks to give you time to find a suitable property. Settlement must take place by 31 March 2026. If you do not find a property to purchase in this time, you can reapply to the scheme subject to budget availability.