For members of the armed forces looking to get onto the property ladder, the Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme is a valuable tool — but it’s not the only one. Many serving personnel wonder if they can combine FHTB with other government-backed schemes like Shared Ownership, Help to Buy (when available), or Lifetime ISAs.
The good news? In many cases, yes, you can. But the specifics matter.
I’m Ollie Cleverly, mortgage adviser and RAF veteran, and at Connect Mortgage Services we work with lots of military clients to help them make smart, coordinated use of every option available.
Here’s how Forces Help to Buy can work in tandem with other home-buying schemes — and what to be aware of.
1. Combining Forces Help to Buy with Shared Ownership
Shared Ownership lets you buy a share (usually 25–75%) of a property and pay rent on the remaining part. It’s popular in high-cost areas or when affordability is tight.
You can use your FHTB loan to:
- Cover the deposit on your share
- Pay legal fees and other upfront costs
Things to consider:
- Some housing associations may have rules about using FHTB — check early
- You’ll still need to qualify for the Shared Ownership scheme based on income and eligibility
- Mortgage lenders must accept both FHTB and Shared Ownership — not all do
Ollie says: “We’ve helped military clients use FHTB to secure Shared Ownership homes in places like London and the South East where prices are steep. It can be a smart combo when done right.”
2. Combining Forces Help to Buy with a Lifetime ISA
If you’ve been paying into a Lifetime ISA (LISA) — available to first-time buyers aged 18–39 — you may be able to use it alongside FHTB.
How it works:
- The government adds a 25% bonus to your LISA savings
- You can use those funds (plus the bonus) for your home deposit
- FHTB can then boost your total budget or cover other costs
Things to consider:
- Your property must be under £450,000 to use a LISA for it
- Lenders will want clarity on where each part of your deposit is coming from
- Timing matters — you’ll need to plan withdrawals carefully to avoid penalties
Ollie adds: “Using a LISA and FHTB together can really supercharge your deposit. Just make sure you coordinate the timings and paperwork, or it can get messy fast.”
3. Forces Help to Buy and Help to Buy Equity Loan (Historic Use)
While the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme closed to new applicants in 2023, some service personnel may still be living in properties bought under this scheme.
FHTB could still support:
- Staircasing or buying more of the property
- Remortgaging or moving to a new home (if selling)
Always check with your adviser if you’re transitioning out of one scheme and into another.
4. Can You Use FHTB with Right to Buy or First Homes Scheme?
Yes, in principle:
- Right to Buy: FHTB can help cover costs when purchasing a council or MOD property at a discount
- First Homes: FHTB may be used for deposit and fees on a qualifying First Home property, subject to lender approval
Again, not all lenders and local authorities will accept this combo — so early advice is key.
Final Tips on Combining Schemes
- Speak to a specialist adviser early. Combining schemes involves more moving parts — make sure your broker knows how to handle them.
- Check eligibility criteria for each scheme separately — they don’t always overlap
- Use FHTB strategically — it’s not just for deposits. You might want to use it for fees or to reduce your mortgage size
- Get documents ready early. Scheme applications can take longer, and delays can risk your purchase
Real-Life Example
A RAF technician in their early 30s has saved £8,000 in a LISA, earning a £2,000 government bonus. With FHTB, they borrow an additional £15,000 interest-free. The total £25,000 forms a healthy deposit for a Shared Ownership home in Essex — all made possible by combining schemes smartly.
Final Thoughts
Forces Help to Buy is a brilliant benefit for service personnel — but it gets even more powerful when used alongside other schemes. The key is planning, clarity, and working with an adviser who understands both the military and the mortgage market.
At Connect Mortgage Services, we specialise in helping forces families make the most of every opportunity.
If you want to explore how FHTB could work with other options, let’s talk.
Photo by Brandon McDonald on Unsplash
