First-time buyer schemes

Buying your first home can feel difficult when your deposit, income, house prices and monthly budget all need to line up.

First-time buyer schemes and support routes can make buying more achievable in different ways. Some reduce the purchase price, some lower the deposit or mortgage needed, and others use family support to strengthen your position.

The right route depends on what is holding you back, where you want to buy, the type of property you choose and whether the full monthly cost works for you.

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What to know about first-time buyer schemes

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First-time buyer routes to compare

First-time buyer support can work in different ways. Some routes may reduce the deposit needed, some may reduce the purchase price, and others can help if family support is available.

Support routes that only apply to some buyers

Some support routes only apply to certain renters, locations or occupations. They may not be relevant to every first-time buyer, but they are worth checking if your circumstances fit.

Rent to Buy and London Living Rent

Rent to Buy can help eligible tenants in England save for a deposit by offering rent below the usual market level. The scheme is available in England outside London, while London Living Rent applies in London.

These routes may help if you need more time to save before buying, but availability, eligibility and local rules can vary.

Right to Buy and Right to Acquire

Right to Buy and Right to Acquire may help some council or housing association tenants buy their home at a discount.

These are not first-time buyer-only routes, and they only apply to certain tenants and properties. It is worth checking eligibility, discount rules and whether buying the property fits your long-term plans.

Forces Help to Buy

Forces Help to Buy can help eligible armed forces personnel borrow towards a home purchase.

The support may be used towards a deposit and other buying costs, but eligibility, repayment rules and service criteria apply. If you are serving in the armed forces, it is worth checking whether this route could support your first purchase.

Schemes you may hear about that are now closed

Some older first-time buyer support routes are no longer open to most new buyers, but you may still see them mentioned online.

Deposit Unlock

Deposit Unlock closed to new completions in April 2026. Existing mortgage offers may still be honoured by the relevant lender.

Read about Deposit Unlock →

Help to Build: Equity Loan

Help to Build closed to new applications in England on 31 March 2025.

How to choose the right first-time buyer route

The best first-time buyer route is not always the one with the smallest deposit. A lower deposit can help you buy sooner, but the full monthly cost still needs to feel manageable.

Before choosing, compare:

• the deposit you need
• the monthly mortgage payment
• whether rent or service charges apply
• whether the property is leasehold or freehold
• whether the route limits where or what you can buy
• how easy it may be to move, sell or remortgage later

It is also worth thinking about your long-term plans. A discounted price, smaller deposit or lower initial payment can be helpful, but the mortgage, property, legal structure and future costs all need to work together.

The right route should help you buy with confidence, not just buy sooner. It should feel affordable, sustainable and suitable once all the costs and responsibilities are included.

How Muttuo Mortgages can help

Choosing between first-time buyer schemes can be difficult because each route works differently. Muttuo can help you compare the mortgage, deposit, property rules and lender criteria before you commit.

Muttuo Mortgages can help you:

Whether you are buying with a smaller deposit, using family support or looking at a specific scheme, getting advice early can help you understand which options are realistic for your situation.