Help to Buy Equity Loan Calculator

Calculate your current equity loan value, annual fees, and repayment costs. Help to Buy closed to new applications in 2023, but existing loans still need managing.

Help to Buy equity loans are interest-free for the first five years, but from year six onwards, fees start at 1.75% and rise annually by RPI plus 1%. For many homeowners, these fees have come as an unwelcome surprise — particularly given that repaying the loan means settling a percentage of the property's current market value, not the original loan amount.

If your property has increased in value since purchase, the repayment cost will be higher than the initial loan. Conversely, if the value has fallen, you repay less. Either way, you need a clear picture of the current position before deciding whether to remortgage to repay the equity loan or continue paying the fees.

Homes England confirmed that over 383,000 Help to Buy equity loans were issued between 2013 and the scheme's closure in March 2023 (GOV.UK). All of those borrowers now need to manage or repay their loans.

How this calculator works

  1. Enter the original purchase price, equity loan percentage, and the year you completed.
  2. Provide your property's current estimated market value.
  3. The tool calculates your current repayment figure, annual fee schedule, and the cumulative cost of holding versus repaying the loan.

Written by the CalcStack team · Last updated April 2026

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Years 1-5 are fee-free. Fees start in year 6.

Frequently asked questions

Is Help to Buy still available?▾
No. The Help to Buy equity loan scheme closed to new applications on 31 October 2022, with completions by 31 March 2023. However, thousands of existing borrowers still have active equity loans that they will need to manage and eventually repay. This calculator helps existing borrowers understand their current position.
When do Help to Buy fees start?▾
The equity loan is fee-free for the first five years. In year 6, you start paying an annual management fee of 1.75% of the loan value. After year 6, the fee increases annually by the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 1%. These fees are in addition to your mortgage payments.
How much does it cost to repay the Help to Buy loan?▾
The repayment amount is based on the current market value of your property, not the original purchase price. You repay the same percentage that you borrowed. So if you borrowed 20% and your property is now worth £300,000, full repayment would cost £60,000 regardless of the original price.
Can I make partial repayments?▾
Yes. You can make partial repayments (called staircasing) in chunks of at least 10% of the current property value. Each partial repayment requires a valuation from a RICS-qualified surveyor. You will also need your mortgage lender's permission and may need to remortgage.
What happens if my property has gone down in value?▾
If your property has decreased in value, the government shares in the loss proportionally. Your repayment amount is based on the current market value, not the original price. So if your property fell from £250,000 to £200,000 with a 20% loan, you would repay £40,000 instead of £50,000.
Do I need a valuation to repay?▾
Yes. You must obtain a valuation from a RICS-qualified surveyor approved by the Help to Buy agent. The valuation is valid for three months. The cost of the valuation (typically £250-£500) is paid by you. This valuation determines the repayment amount.
Can I sell my Help to Buy home?▾
Yes, you can sell at any time. When you sell, the equity loan is repaid from the sale proceeds as a percentage of the sale price. If you borrowed 20%, 20% of the sale price goes to repay the loan. The remaining proceeds are yours (minus your mortgage balance).
What is the difference between 20% and 40% Help to Buy?▾
The 20% equity loan was available across England, while the 40% loan was only available in London due to higher property prices. London borrowers could get up to 40% of the property value as an equity loan, meaning they needed as little as a 5% deposit and 55% mortgage.
Can I remortgage with a Help to Buy loan?▾
Yes, you can remortgage, but your new lender must agree to the Help to Buy equity loan remaining as a second charge on the property. Not all lenders accept Help to Buy properties, which may limit your options. You do not need permission from the Help to Buy agent to remortgage.
What happens if I cannot afford the fees?▾
If you are struggling to pay the annual fees, contact your Help to Buy agent as soon as possible. They may be able to discuss options with you. Unpaid fees accrue and become a debt that must eventually be settled, typically when the property is sold or the loan is repaid.

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