Help to Buy ISA guide

garfield33

I'm trying to transfer my HTB ISA to Halifax, the website says you have to phone up but then I got lost in a net of automated responses. The one time I did reach a human, he tried to put me through to the right dept, couldn't get hold of them, and when he gave me the direct number, that was the number I'd called in the first place. I'm not having a go, I know things are still difficult - just wondered if anyone had got through this week, and what you said / pressed to do it?

Jemsnation

For people looking to transfer, has anyone considered Natwest? I have mine with them and the rate is 2%.

garfield33

Jemsnation said:

For people looking to transfer, has anyone considered Natwest? I have mine with them and the rate is 2%.

I don't think they're accepting transfers, I can't find anything on their website and MSE don't list them. Very happy to be corrected though!

Jemsnation

garfield33 said:

Jemsnation said:

For people looking to transfer, has anyone considered Natwest? I have mine with them and the rate is 2%.

I don't think they're accepting transfers, I can't find anything on their website and MSE don't list them. Very happy to be corrected though!

Ah OK, that would indeed explain why no one is switching to them. 

woodface7

Re the £200 max monthly investment. 

If you have some funds being transferred in from an ordinary cash ISA at another provider, does that count toward your monthly limit? 

I have £50 landing in my NatWest H2Buy any day now and their ISA unit said I could safely make this month's £200 investment as the transfer-in sum isn't counted. 

But she didn't sound 100% convincing. The gov FAQ page seems to suggest the limit is firm and that transfers in are not exempt. 

Anyone know?

eskbanker

woodface7 said:

Re the £200 max monthly investment. 

If you have some funds being transferred in from an ordinary cash ISA at another provider, does that count toward your monthly limit? 

I have £50 landing in my NatWest H2Buy any day now and their ISA unit said I could safely make this month's £200 investment as the transfer-in sum isn't counted. 

But she didn't sound 100% convincing. The gov FAQ page seems to suggest the limit is firm and that transfers in are not exempt. 

Anyone know?

NatWest are wrong and the government are right!

garfield33

garfield33 said:

I'm trying to transfer my HTB ISA to Halifax, the website says you have to phone up but then I got lost in a net of automated responses. The one time I did reach a human, he tried to put me through to the right dept, couldn't get hold of them, and when he gave me the direct number, that was the number I'd called in the first place. I'm not having a go, I know things are still difficult - just wondered if anyone had got through this week, and what you said / pressed to do it?

Just an update - I got through eventually! Although the number on the website is meant to be specifically for ISAs, I ended up in general banking where a very helpful lady transferred me to another very helpful lady. Took about 30 minutes in total as they have to read out a lot of T&Cs... 
Also for anyone else doing this - Halifax open up a 'normal' ISA for you, and then they later convert it into a Help To Buy - something to keep an eye on.

louis1204

If I am a first time buyer, however my partner whom I am buying with isn't, would I still be able to use the money saved in the ISA for the deposit?

masonic

louis1204 said:

If I am a first time buyer, however my partner whom I am buying with isn't, would I still be able to use the money saved in the ISA for the deposit?

Yes, and you'll be able to claim the Government bonus providing you meet the eligibility criteria as an individual.

Jemsnation

I've had my help to buy for a few year which I'm currently putting the 200 into. I'm not 100% sure if I'm buying yet so not wanting to transfer to a LISA but can I open a Stocks and Shares ISA and pay into that as well as my help to buy as long as I don't go over 20000? Basically wanted to know where I can save anything over the 200 I want to put aside each month.