This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

If you live in a rural area or on a croft, you may be eligible for a grant to help towards the purchase or construction of your own home.

Rural home ownership grants (RHOGs)

What are RHOGs?

RHOGS are available to help first time buyers in rural areas to buy or build their own homes. The grants are designed to fill the gap between the maximum mortgage you can get and the cost of a reasonable first home. Grants usually range from £10,000-£20,000 and, on average, amount to around 30 per cent of the total cost of buying or building the home. Grants won't make up more than 33 per cent of the total building and land costs.

The grant doesn't have to be spent on the purchase price of the home. It can also help you pay for:

• solicitors' fees
• architects' and other consultants' fees
• fees for planning permission and building regulations approval
• building work
• installation of services such as water and electricity
• interest on a bridging loan from your mortgage lender or bank.

Who can apply?

You can apply if:

• you haven't owned your own home before (although there may be certain exceptions to this rule)
• you are either:
  • employed
  • disabled or sick and unable to work
  • a pensioner
• you've lived in the area for over a year, or have family connections there
• you couldn't afford to buy or build your own home without getting a grant
• you are able get a mortgage to cover the rest of the cost
• you can get any planning permission and buildings regulations approval you need
• the home is suitable (for example, there are restrictions concerning the size of the property and the number of rooms, depending on how many people there are in your household).

Only a limited number of RHOGs are awarded each year, so even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee that your application will be successful.

How do I apply?

The Scottish Goverment has produced a complete guide to Rural Home Ownership Grants, including details of the application process.

Where can I get further help and advice?

If you're buying or renovating a home in rural Scotland, you may be able to get advice and assistance from the Rural Housing Service.

Croft house grant scheme (CHGS)

You can find out more about the croft house grant scheme in the section on crofting.

Special needs capital grant (SNCG)

What is a SNCG?

If you are unable to afford to buy a home suitable for your needs, you may be able to apply for a SNCG. This grant will pay for up to 40 per cent of the costs of buying a new home. These costs include:

• valuation fees
• solicitors' fees
• any repairs or adaptations you need to make.

In practice, the amount of money you receive is unlikely to be more than £35,000, even if this is less than 40 per cent of the total project cost.

Who can apply?

You may be eligible for an SNCG if:

• you have special housing requirements, for example you or a member or your family are disabled, and
• you have investigated every other housing option and buying a home with the aid of a grant is the only way you can obtain a suitable home, and
• you will be able to afford the total project once you have been given the grant.

You don't need to be a first time buyer to be eligible.

How do I apply?

To apply for an SNCG, you need to be referred by a specialist agency. Contact Ownership Options in Scotland to find out more.