First time buyer with existing homeowener

lukekelly19

My partner owns a flat (with a mortgage). I have never owned any property. We are looking to buy a house together.
If she transfers her mortgage to the new house (thus saving an early repayment penalty), can I get the bonus from my first-time-buyer ISA?

lukekelly19

And a supplementary question:
If I pay half of the cost of the new house in cash, and my partner pays her half with cash/mortgage (ie I am not taking out a mortgage), can I still get the ISA bonus? If not, what's the minimum I need to borrow on mortgage to get the bonus?

Govt website says:
"In order to be eligible for a government bonus you need to be on the title deed of the property and the property must be purchased with the assistance of a mortgage. Under the Help to Buy: ISA Scheme Rules, you don’t need to be named on the mortgage of the property, however your lender may require all individuals named on the title deed to also be named on the mortgage."
Seems to imply that I can get the bonus, even if my partner has all the debt in her name. Is that right?

dimbo61

Porting a mortgage from one property to another is subject to the terms and conditions of her mortgage and agreement of the Mortgage lender.
This will be a joint mortgage ! Lenders don't lend on half a property so the whole property is security ( not 50/50) 
You really need to speak to the mortgage adviser at the bank your partner has the mortgage with.

lukekelly19

Thanks Dimbo61!