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Property
Check eligibility for Scotland's LIFT scheme — up to 40% government funding for first-time buyers and priority groups.
By Gary · Updated May 2026
OMSE offers 10–40% government fundingfor first-time buyers and priority groups. The government takes an equity share — no rent is charged on their portion.
Enter your details to check OMSE affordability and see your estimated government share.
The Low-cost Initiative for First-Time Buyers (LIFT) is Scotland's primary government-backed shared equity scheme. The government takes an equity share in your property of up to 40% — and crucially, no rent is charged on the government's share.
LIFT replaced the closed Help to Buy (Scotland) and First Home Fund schemes.
LIFT has two strands:
Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE): For first-time buyers and priority groups — people aged 60+, social renters, disabled people, armed forces members, veterans within two years of leaving, and bereaved partners of service personnel. There is no flat income cap: eligibility is affordability-assessed, and you must be unable to buy a suitable home without help.
New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE): For buying new-build homes from housing associations. Similar eligibility criteria.
Maximum prices are set per council area and per apartment size (the number of habitable rooms — living rooms and bedrooms count). Examples from the table effective 1 April 2025:
| Area | 3-apt (2 bed) | 4-apt (3 bed) |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | £190,000 | £235,000 |
| Glasgow | £125,000 | £135,000 |
| Aberdeen City | £100,000 | £110,000 |
| Dundee | £95,000 | £120,000 |
Full table for every council area and size on gov.scot — see our OMSE thresholds guide for how the system works.
Check your eligibility. Enter your income, deposit, and target property above to see if LIFT could work for you.
Back to calculator ↑Free: Should I Buy Now? — the Scotland guide
A clear way to think through buying a home in Scotland — the real upfront costs, plus the bills worth cutting while you save. We'll email it now.
Answers to common questions about this calculator.
Calculate your LBTT on any Scottish property purchase, including first-time buyer relief and ADS.
🏠See how much you could borrow based on your Scottish salary, with LBTT costs and first-time buyer relief included.
🔑Work out rental yield, LBTT with 8% ADS, income tax on rental profit, and net returns.
This calculator provides estimates only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Always verify with Revenue Scotland, HMRC, or mygov.scot, and speak to a qualified financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.