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Lifetime ISA for first-time buyers

How to use a Lifetime ISA to purchase your first home

Open a Lifetime ISA Buying your first home FAQs

Important information - Unlike the security of cash, investments can go down as well as up in value, so you could get back less than you put in. The information on this page isn’t personal advice - please ask us for advice if you’re not sure which investments are right for you. Tax rules for Lifetime ISAs can change and their benefits depend on your circumstances. You can withdraw money from a Lifetime ISA to buy your first home, or at age 60. Other withdrawals will usually mean a 25% government charge, so you could get back less than you put in.

Saving for your first home with a Lifetime ISA

A Lifetime ISA is a flexible, affordable way to save and invest for your first home. You can open one if you’re between 18 and 39 years old and contribute up until you turn 50.

Every year you can save up to £4,000 towards your first home, and the government will add a 25% bonus to whatever you put in – worth up to £1,000 a year. As with other ISAs, money in a Lifetime ISA can grow free from UK tax, including any returns you make on your investments.

A stocks and shares Lifetime ISA is a great way to invest over the long term for a new home. However we would suggest that if you’re planning to purchase a home in less than five years, a cash Lifetime ISA could be more suitable. Being invested in the stock market for five years or more gives you a better chance of avoiding short-term stock market volatility.

Remember investments can fall as well as rise, so you could get back less than you put in. Tax rules can change and benefits depend on individual circumstances.

Open a Lifetime ISA

In this video, we explain the key benefits of using a Lifetime ISA and how you can invest for your future or first home.

A voiceover talks over imagery. The imagery compliments what is being said, but doesn’t provide any additional information.

“The Lifetime ISA offers an exciting and flexible way to save for your first home or retirement.

If you're aged between 18 and 39, you can open a Lifetime ISA and get £1,000 from the government each year.

So, how does it work?

You can put in up to £4,000 a year, and the government will add a 25% bonus on any money you've saved before your 50th birthday. This means for every £4 you save, you get £1 extra - up to £1,000 each year.

After 12 months, you can use the money to buy your first home, worth up to £450,000. Or you can wait until your 60th birthday and withdraw the money tax-free.

In the Lifetime ISA, you can save as cash or invest in the stock market.

If you expect to use the money within five years, cash is likely to be your best option. However, if you're planning to save for more than five years, you may want to consider investing in the stock market, which could provide greater returns and help you reach your goal quicker. But bear in mind investing is higher risk and you could make a loss.

So, if you're looking for a flexible way to save for your future, the Lifetime ISA could be for you.”

Disclaimer:

Unlike cash, investments can fall as well as rise in value so investors could get back less than invested, especially over the short term (less than five years).

Withdrawals from a Lifetime ISA before age 60, other than to purchase your first home, will usually be subject to a 25% penalty.

The Lifetime ISA must be held for 12 months before the government bonus can be used to purchase your first home.

ISA rules can change and the benefits will depend on individual circumstances.

If saving for retirement, you should ensure you are getting the maximum benefit offered by your employer first.

Savings in a Lifetime ISA may affect your entitlement (if any) to means tested state benefits.

This is not personal advice, if you are unsure of the suitability of any investment you should seek advice.

Using a Lifetime ISA to buy your first home

Using a Lifetime ISA to buy your first home

A Lifetime ISA is a great way to save for your first home, but there are some things to consider.

You need to be a first-time buyer (this means you don’t own, and haven’t owned, a residential property anywhere in the world)
It must have been at least 12 months since the first payment into the Lifetime ISA before you can use the money to buy a home without facing a withdrawal penalty
If you have a Help to Buy ISA, you can only use one government bonus towards your purchase, so be careful choosing which account you use
If you’re buying with someone else who is also a first-time buyer, they can use their own Lifetime ISA and their government bonus too

If you’ve had your Lifetime ISA open for at least 12 months, you can then use the money you’ve saved towards your first home. If you want to use it before having the account open for a year or need the money for something that isn’t a first home and you’re younger than age 60, then you may have to pay a 25% withdrawal charge.

About your first home

The property must be in the UK
The purchase price must be £450,000 or less and the amount withdrawn must be less than the purchase price
It will need to be your main home or become your main home as soon as it’s ready if it’s still being built
You’ll need to be buying the house with a mortgage or regulated home purchase plan

If you don’t meet the conditions for an eligible property purchase, you can still use your Lifetime ISA money towards buying a property. But you’d have to pay the government withdrawal charge, which means you could get back less than you put in. You could instead use it for later life. If you’re not using your Lifetime ISA to purchase your first property, you can usually access the money from age 60.

About your first home

Steps to buying your first home with a Lifetime ISA

Here are some of the steps you can expect when buying your home with a Lifetime ISA.

1

Find out how much you can borrow

Speak to a professional to find out how much you can borrow and see how much you need to save with your Lifetime ISA.

2

Find your best mortgage offer

Shop around to find your best mortgage offer – it might not always be with your bank, so make sure you do your research.

3

Access the money in your Lifetime ISA

To use your HL Lifetime ISA to purchase your first home you’ll need to send us the Lifetime ISA home purchase form, telling us about your conveyancer and how much you want to withdraw.

We’ll keep your Lifetime ISA funds safe until then. Once you’ve requested the withdrawal, we’ll speak to your conveyancer handling your purchase and once everything is ready, then transfer the funds that you instruct us to directly to them.

What are the benefits of a Lifetime ISA with HL?

Trusted by 1.8m clients
HL is a secure FTSE-listed company.
Automatic bonus - we’ll claim your government bonus and add it to your account automatically.
Wide investment choice and expert research
Choose from thousands of investments and our latest funds ideas. You can even get expert guidance to help you decide where to invest and build your own portfolio, or ask for personal advice if you need it.

Easy and simple to manage
Check your Lifetime ISA on the go, online or with the HL app.
Award winning
HL have won over 200 awards including Best Buy Lifetime ISA 2023 from the Boring Money Awards.
Free to set up, and a maximum annual fee of 0.25%
No charge to buy or sell funds, or to stop and start payments. Funds also have their own annual charge and dealing fees for shares are capped. View full charges.

Ready to start saving for your first home?

Open a Lifetime ISA

If you’ve decided to save into a Lifetime ISA to help get your first step on the housing ladder, and you’re happy with the terms and conditions and key features of this product, all you need to do is fill out this form.

Open a Lifetime ISA

Transfer an existing ISA to a Lifetime ISA

If you already have an existing ISA and would like to transfer to a Lifetime ISA with HL, find out more here on how you can do so.

More on transferring to a Lifetime ISA

Learn more about using a Lifetime ISA for your first home

What happens to my Lifetime ISA if something goes wrong with the property purchase?

Buying a house can be a complex process and unfortunately things can fall through. If the purchase isn’t complete within 90 days your conveyancer can request an extension of 60 days, and then a second and final extension of an extra 30 days. The total window for completion, with extensions, is 180 days. To request an extension your conveyancer will need to let us know and we’ll contact HMRC. If the purchase falls through your conveyancer must return the money to HL to be put back into your Lifetime ISA within 10 working days. Any money that isn’t returned will be subject to a 25% government withdrawal charge which you will need to pay to HMRC.
Can I build my own house and still use a Lifetime ISA?

You can use the Lifetime ISA to buy land for a self-build property, providing you meet all the other criteria for purchasing a property with your Lifetime ISA.
Can you use two Lifetime ISAs to buy a house?

You can use your Lifetime ISA savings to buy your first home with someone else, regardless of whether they have their own Lifetime ISA. If you both have Lifetime ISAs, and are both first-time buyers, you can both use them towards your home together.
Can a Lifetime ISA be used if one of us is a first-time home buyer and one isn't?

If you are buying a home with someone who has owned a property before they do not count as a first-time buyer.

But you are still entitled to use your own bonus towards the price of the home you are buying together.
How long should I allow when withdrawing money from a Lifetime ISA to purchase a first home?

We’d usually recommend allowing 30 days from when you initially contact us to the completion of the Lifetime ISA withdrawal. We are aware that you may have a completion date for your first home purchase, so we will try to ensure the cash is with your solicitor by your deadline where we can.
What is the Lifetime ISA house price limit?

The purchase price must be £450,000 or less and the amount withdrawn must be less than the purchase price.
Can a Lifetime ISA be used for a house deposit?

Yes, the funds in your Lifetime ISA, including the bonus, can be used towards a deposit on your first home, provided that the purchase price of the property is under £450,000 and is completed within 90 days of your conveyancer receiving the funds from your Lifetime ISA account.

Need more information?

If you’re still unsure whether opening a Lifetime ISA is right for you when thinking about saving towards your first home, read our guide to look at the account in closer detail, or have a look at some of our FAQs below.

Guide to Lifetime ISAs FAQs

Lifetime ISA Essentials

How many ISAs can I have?

Across the course of their life, someone could end up owning many ISAs. How many could they have?

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What are the different types of ISA?

Decide how to make the most of your ISA allowance by learning more about the different types of ISAs available.

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Five ISA tips and traps

We look at some common ISA pitfalls and explain how you could avoid them.

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Simple to use platform.

Mr S, Hertfordshire

Awards

BEST BUY LIFETIME ISA 2023
Boring Money Best Buys Awards

BEST ONLINE STOCKBROKER 2022/2023
The Personal Finance Awards

GOLD AWARD FOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE 2022
Times Money Mentor

See all our awards

Help and support

If you have any questions about using a HL Lifetime ISA to purchase your first home, you can speak to one of our client support experts by calling 0117 900 9000.