

Help to Buy ISAs
Now closed for newbies – need-to-knows if you've already got one
Help to Buy ISAs are now closed to new applicants. Didn't get one in time? Lifetime ISAs also offer a 25% bonus for first-time buyers. But if you do have a Help to Buy ISA, here's everything you need to know, including how to claim the 25% bonus, whether it's worth transferring to a Lifetime ISA and how to get a better rate by changing provider.
Other top ISA and mortgage guides...
Lifetime ISA: The Help to Buy ISA's successor scheme
Cash ISAs: The top-paying cash ISAs.
Mortgages for first-time buyers: Free downloadable booklet.
Boost your credit score: Tips to boost your creditworthiness.

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What is a Help to Buy ISA?
Help to Buy ISAs are no longer open to new applicants. But, if you already have one, they let you save up to £200 a month towards your first home, with the state adding a 25% bonus (max £3,000) on top of what you save. Plus you earn interest on whatever you save, and as it's an ISA, that interest is tax-free.
However, you only get the bonus when you use the Help to Buy ISA cash as a deposit for your first home. The way is works is a bit complex, so do read our need-to-knows if you're getting close to using your Help to Buy ISA savings to buy a property.
The 12 Help to Buy ISA need-to-knows
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Top picks: Help to Buy ISAs for transfers
Since Help to Buy ISAs closed to new applicants last year, options have become more limited and rates have dropped. If you've already got a Help to Buy ISA, check the rate you're getting against the accounts below to see if you could earn more by switching providers.
It’s also worth considering transferring to a Lifetime ISA, which lets you save a much bigger amount and could mean a bigger bonus (see Help to Buy ISAs vs Lifetime ISAs).
Note: if you get a provider's Help to Buy ISA, you don't then need to get its mortgage (eg, if you have a Halifax Help to Buy ISA, you're NOT tied in to getting a Halifax mortgage).
PROVIDER | RATE (AER VARIABLE) | HOW TO TRANSFER | HOW TO MANAGE | INTEREST PAID |
HSBC - existing custs only (1) | 1.75% (2) |
Complete a transfer form and take it to a branch or post it. | Online/ phone/ post/ branch | Monthly |
Newcastle BS - branch-only | 1.64% | Visit a branch. | Phone/ branch | Monthly |
Halifax | 1% (3) |
Call Halifax to start transfer (see the Halifax website for more info). | Online/ phone/ branch | Annually |
(1) You'll need to have an HSBC current account, Flexible Saver or Premier Savings. (2) On balances up to £12,000 only (0.01% above). (3) On balances up to £12,000 only (0.05% above).
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