Can you transfer a Help to Buy equity loan to another property?
If you purchased your home using the Help to Buy scheme, you may be wondering if you can transfer the equity loan to another property. Doing so would theoretically allow you to move house without the immediate financial burden of paying off your government loan.
Sadly, Homes England will not allow you to transfer or "port" your equity loan to another property. If you want to sell your current home and buy a new one, you must pay off your Help to Buy loan in full upon completion of the sale. You cannot partially repay the loan during a sale, nor can you take it with you to your next home.
If you plan to repay your equity loan completely out of your sale proceeds, read our comprehensive guide on the exact legal and financial steps: How to Sell a Help to Buy Property.
Homes England: Repayment in full on sale
The terms of the equity loan state that:
"You must repay all your equity loan when you: reach the end of the equity loan term (normally 25 years), pay off your repayment mortgage, or sell your home."
This means that you cannot sell your home and transfer the loan to another property. You must repay the loan in full when you sell.
Why would someone need to transfer their loan to another property?
You might be relocating for work, upsizing or downsizing your home, managing a divorce or separation, or experiencing a change in your financial situation. Regardless of the reason, you cannot transfer the loan.
What if your sale proceeds don't cover the loan?
If your property has fallen in value or sells for less than its RICS valuation, your sale proceeds may not cover both your primary mortgage and your Homes England repayment. When a shortfall occurs, you must either fund the gap from personal savings or apply to Homes England for a formal 'Sale Under Value'.
Homes England requires extensive marketing proof from your estate agent before approving a sale at a loss. For a complete step-by-step breakdown of how this process works, read our dedicated guide on handling a Help to Buy sale under value.
We provide nationwide, fixed-fee RICS valuations compliant with Homes England guidelines, alongside specialist conveyancing for your sale and onward purchase.
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Andrew Boast FMAAT is a qualified accountant, conveyancing specialist and author with over 25 years of experience in the UK property sector. Since beginning his career in 2000 within established SRA and CLC-regulated conveyancing solicitor firms, Andrew has overseen the legal journeys of more than 75,000 clients.
He is the self-published author of the first-time buyer guide: How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone, and a frequent contributor to mainstream UK media on legislative updates, property law, first-time buyer guides, conveyancing best practices, and stamp duty changes. Andrew specialises in resolving complex title issues, property conflict disputes, and property tax options, streamlining the enquiry process to reduce transaction times and maintaining a client-friendly focus.
Amanda Ambler is a highly accomplished conveyancing specialist with over 15 years of dedicated experience across residential property law, legal compliance, and practice management. Having held senior roles, including Head of Legal Practice and Head of Conveyancing at established UK law firms, Amanda possesses a profound, hands-on understanding of the technical intricacies of the property market.
As the designated Legal Content Reviewer for SAM Conveyancing, Amanda ensures that every guide, legal update, and resource published meets the absolute highest standards of accuracy, regulatory compliance, and factual integrity. Her rigorous review process guarantees that complex property legislation and industry processes are communicated clearly, transparently, and safely for home buyers and sellers alike.
