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Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) lets regular serving personnel borrow up to 50 per cent of annual salary, capped at £25,000, as an interest-free advance of pay to put towards buying a home. It can cover your deposit plus solicitor and estate agent fees, is normally repaid from salary over up to ten years, and has been a permanent scheme since January 2023. In 2025/26 alone the MOD made 2,483 payments, and over £564 million has been advanced since 2014.
Borrow up to 50% of your salary, capped at £25,000, completely interest free
2,483 payments made in 2025/26 and over £564m advanced since 2014
Repaid from salary over up to 10 years, with no equity share in your home
Apply through JPA at least six weeks before your expected completion date
At least 95% of payments have led to a completed purchase or extension
How HTG Mortgages Can Help
We are a whole-of-market broker based in Winchester, and we regularly help personnel from the Portsmouth naval base, Aldershot, Winchester’s garrisons and the units around Salisbury Plain. We know which lenders are genuinely forces-friendly on FHTB deposits, BFPO credit history and consent to let. Start on our armed forces mortgages page, or get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat. We reply within 2 hours, Monday to Friday.
Am I Eligible for Forces Help to Buy?
You qualify if you meet all of the following. Exceptions can be made in special medical or personal circumstances.
- Regular Armed Forces: reservists and the Military Provost Guard Service are excluded.
- Service: you have completed at least 12 months from enlistment and finished Phase 1 training.
- Time remaining: you have more than six months left to serve when you apply.
- Medical: you meet the required medical categories.
How Do I Apply?
You apply through the self-service section of JPA (Joint Personnel Administration), ideally at least six weeks before your expected completion date. You will need the property address plus your lender and solicitor details, and the application is routed through your unit HR, medical officer and commanding officer. If you cannot access JPA, form E035 is the fallback.
How Does FHTB Work With a Mortgage?
The advance is paid to your solicitor at completion and can form all or part of your deposit alongside any savings. Most mainstream lenders accept FHTB funds, but two things matter in practice. First, the monthly salary repayment counts as a committed outgoing in your affordability assessment, so it slightly reduces what you can borrow. Second, not every lender treats FHTB the same way, which is where placing the case with the right lender pays off. Remember FHTB is an advance of your own salary, not an equity loan, so the government takes no share of your home.
Speak to an expert
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving house or remortgaging, HTG Mortgages is here to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. I’ll compare mortgages from over 120 lenders, guide you every step of the way and help you find the right mortgage for your circumstances.
Posted Abroad? Mind Your Credit File
BFPO addresses and frequent postings can leave service personnel with thin credit files, and industry guidance is clear that applications should not be rejected purely because of a BFPO address. You can register a BFPO address with credit reference agencies such as Experian to keep building UK credit history while overseas. It is worth doing this early, well before you plan to buy.
What If I Am Posted After Buying?
Under the Armed Forces Covenant, many lenders treat service-driven moves sympathetically and will grant consent to let your home without switching you to a buy-to-let rate or charging fees. Always tell your lender about a posting rather than letting the property quietly, and check any FHTB retention rules through your chain of command.
Buying Your First Home?
FHTB combines well with a first purchase, and many of the personnel we help are buying for the first time. Our first-time buyer hub covers deposits, government schemes and the buying process step by step.
Scheme rules and statistics correct as of August 2026 (MOD Forces Help to Buy statistics) and subject to change. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Need Personal Mortgage Advice?
Every buyer’s situation is different. While this guide explains the general rules, the right mortgage for you depends on your income, deposit, credit history and future plans. If you’d like tailored advice, I’m here to help, with whole-of-market coverage.
