Lift Open Market Shared Equity Scotland is not just for first time buyers, and that surprises a lot of people. The scheme, known as OMSE, has just reopened for applications after a pause, and it could be one of the most useful, and most overlooked, routes onto the property ladder in Scotland right now.
If deposits and Home Report gaps have been putting you off buying, and you have not looked at OMSE, it is worth five minutes of your time. We covered the general deposit challenge facing Scottish buyers in our last article on first time buyer deposit Scotland, and OMSE is one of the more direct ways to close that gap.
Open Market Shared Equity Scotland: What OMSE Actually Offers
OMSE is part of the Scottish Government’s LIFT programme, and it is administered nationwide by Link Housing on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The government funds between 10 and 40 percent of the price of a home you choose on the open market, and you fund the rest, usually through a mortgage and a deposit. The government holds its share under a shared equity agreement, and it is repaid, at the same percentage, when you sell, or you can buy out that share early if it suits you (Link Housing, LIFT Open Market Shared Equity).
Example: Buying a £150,000 home through OMSE, with an 85:15 split between buyer and government.
Applying is free, and there is no obligation to buy once you are approved. If you are successful, you will receive a letter confirming the maximum price you can pay, and a window of time to find a suitable property.
Who Can Apply for OMSE
OMSE is open to first time buyers, but priority is also given to several other groups. That is the part most people do not realise.
- Social renters, who rent from a council or Registered Social Landlord
- People with a disability who can demonstrate a housing need
- Members of the armed forces
- Veterans who left the armed forces within the past two years
- Widows, widowers, and partners of service personnel who lost their life while serving within the past two years
- People aged over 60 with a housing need
There is one further detail worth knowing. If you are over 60 with a housing need, for example you are downsizing from a home that is now too large, you do not necessarily need a mortgage at all. You can fund your share through savings or the proceeds of selling your current home instead (Link Housing, LIFT Open Market Shared Equity).
The New Price Thresholds
Every property bought through OMSE has to fall within a maximum price threshold, and that threshold depends on where you are buying and the size of the property. Thresholds were updated and significantly improved upon on 11 August 2026, shortly before the scheme reopened (gov.scot, Open Market Shared Equity thresholds).
You can purchase any size home, subject to affordability and the maximum threshold prices set for your area based on apartment size.
An apartment is classified as any habitable room, but does not include kitchens; open plan kitchen/dining or kitchen/living rooms; bathrooms; box rooms; utility rooms; or hallways. Glass conservatories do not qualify as an apartment.
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.
Here is how that looks across Lanarkshire specifically.
| Area | Apartment size 2 | Apartment size 3 | Apartment size 4 | Apartment size 5 | Apartment size 6 |
| South Lanarkshire | £95,000 | £130,000 | £165,000 | £225,000 | £330,000 |
| North Lanarkshire | £95,000 | £120,000 | £140,000 | £200,000 | £290,000 |
The First Homes Fund Is Also Still Open
The Scottish Government is considering other shared equity options alongside OMSE. The First Homes Fund, which reopened in June 2026, remains open too, offering up to £10,000 towards a property valued up to £300,000 (gov.scot, First Homes Fund). We went through how that scheme works in detail last week in our piece on first time buyer deposit Scotland, and Link Housing has the current application details for it as well (Link Housing, First Homes Fund).
Support After You Buy
Buying through a shared equity scheme is not the end of the story. If you later want to increase your share, known as staircasing, or you are ready to sell, Link Housing also runs an after sales service for existing shared equity owners (Link Housing, shared equity after sales services).
Talk to Us Before You Apply
A number of specific lenders currently support OMSE mortgages, and not every lender on the high street does. Before you apply, it is worth checking which of those lenders suit your circumstances across a comprehensive panel of lenders, rather than assuming your first choice will work with the scheme.
We are based right here in Hamilton, we have been doing this since 2008, and Mark personally has over twenty years in the industry. If OMSE or any of the priority groups above could apply to you or someone you know, get in touch. We can talk you through your options and help you decide whether it’s the right fit before you apply.
Note – The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with mortgage repayments.