A home buyer needs cash for the deposit, legal fees, valuation and other closing costs before any mortgage pays out. NHT closing cost assistance eases that by letting contributors use their own savings in the Trust early. The main tool is the Contributions Refund Towards Deposit (CRTD) loan, available to qualified contributors buying a house or lot, or building, with NHT financing.
How the CRTD loan works
A contributor can borrow up to the full value of contributions not yet due for refund, capped at 15% of the property’s selling price. The money can go towards the deposit, the buyer’s attorney’s fees, surveyor’s identification, structural engineer or valuation reports, property tax and any shortfall on the price; for construction it can cover start-up items such as site reports, bills of quantities and land clearing. The term is eight years, and repayment comes mainly from the contributor’s refunds as they fall due. Anything still owed at the end must be paid by the borrower.
Other help
From July 2026, contributors aged 35 and under buying on the open market can also draw up to J$2 million of their approved NHT loan early towards the deposit. This is an advance, not a grant. Lower earners may also benefit from a reduced deposit and no service charge. Buyers should still budget for transfer costs not covered, and confirm the figures with the Trust before signing a sale agreement.
Related terms: Closing costs, Property closing costs, Contributions Refund Towards Deposit (CRTD), NHT Refund, NHT Pre-qualification, NHT benefit.
Accurate as at October 2026. Limits and conditions are set by NHT policy and can change.
