How do grants work when you're buying with a partner?

Usually one application, in both names

Buying with your partner doesn't shut you out. Andrew Cachia of grants.mt puts it simply: "If buying with your partner, you can still apply for most of the grants available. Normally, it would be a joint application." If you're buying the same property together, that means one application, submitted in both your names.

When only one of you is a first-time buyer

The question couples ask most is what happens when one of them has owned property before. Andrew's answer: "you can generally still apply for the schemes in question. However, it most likely will affect the amount you will receive. So, very likely you will be receiving half the amount instead of the full amount."

So if one of you isn't a first-time buyer, build the budget around the reduced amount rather than the full one, and check how each scheme's guidelines treat a couple in your situation.

Grants and stamp duty are separate

Grants are only half the picture for a first purchase. First-time buyer relief on stamp duty is a separate benefit with its own rules, applied by your notary on the deed — and grants have their own application windows, which first-time buyers can miss if they don't apply in time.

Sources

• Andrew Cachia — Yitaku Asks videos (most grants remain open to couples; normally a joint application in both names; where only one partner is a first-time buyer, you can generally still apply, but very likely for half the amount)
• Individual grant scheme guidelines — conditions vary by scheme