If you’re serving in the armed forces and looking to buy a home in Cambridge, the Forces Help to Buy scheme could give you a head start.

This government-backed initiative allows military personnel to borrow up to £25,000 interest-free, making it easier to secure a mortgage and cover upfront home-buying costs.

What is the Forces Help to Buy Scheme?

The Forces Help to Buy scheme was first introduced in 2014 and later made a permanent policy by the Ministry of Defence.

It was created to support members of the armed forces in buying a home, either as a first time buyer in Cambridge or when moving to a new posting. The loan can be used as a deposit, or to help with legal fees and other associated costs.

You can borrow up to 50% of your annual salary, capped at £25,000, and repay it over 10 years through your military payroll. The loan is interest-free, which makes it a more manageable way to raise a deposit compared to borrowing from a commercial lender.

How does the Forces Help to Buy work?

The loan from Forces Help to Buy can be used towards a mortgage deposit, and in many cases, it’s accepted by high street lenders as part of your overall deposit contribution. This gives you more flexibility and may improve your choice of mortgage deals.

You can also use the funds to cover costs such as:

  • Stamp duty
  • Solicitor’s fees
  • Estate agent fees

This means that even if you don’t have savings set aside, the scheme can help cover the initial costs of buying a home.

Who is eligible?

To apply for the Forces Help to Buy scheme, you must be in regular service with the British Armed Forces. Your eligibility depends on your length of service, time left to serve, and medical category. It’s open to both first time buyers and home movers, as long as you’re planning to live in the property.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, a mortgage advisor in Cambridge can check the current Ministry of Defence criteria and confirm whether you meet the conditions.

Using the scheme to buy a home in Cambridge

Property prices in Cambridge are above the national average, so having access to an interest-free loan of up to £25,000 can make a big difference when trying to raise a deposit.

Whether you’re posted in the area or looking to settle here long-term, Forces Help to Buy gives you an affordable way to access the housing market.

We work with lenders who accept the scheme, and our mortgage advisors in Cambridge will factor the loan into your affordability assessment when reviewing your mortgage options.

How Our Mortgage Advisors Can Help

Our mortgage advisors in Cambridge have experience supporting armed forces personnel through the Forces Help to Buy process.

From your initial enquiry through to completion, we’ll guide you through every step, helping you understand how the scheme works and how it fits into your mortgage application.

We’ll also explain how your military income is assessed by lenders, how the loan will be repaid, and which mortgage products are available to you.

Whether you’re posted locally or planning ahead for the future, we’ll help you make a smooth transition into homeownership.

It’s important to note that the Forces Help to Buy scheme is separate from the standard Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme, which ended in March 2023. Forces Help to Buy is a standalone scheme with its own rules, funding, and eligibility criteria.

If you’re unsure which options apply to you, our team will explain the differences and help you choose the most suitable route.

Date Last Edited: July 1, 2025