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Rent to HomeBuy scheme - who can apply?

The Rent to HomeBuy scheme is available for certain properties in England. Before you can get a home through the scheme you need be sure that you meet the eligibility criteria. The scheme is run by ‘HomeBuy agents’, who can help you through the application process for a home. HomeBuy agents are appointed housing associations - non-profit organisations that manage housing for people having difficulty buying a home.

Rent to HomeBuy scheme is open to households earning less than £60,000 a year who would otherwise be unable to buy a home.

You may be eligible if you are either a:

• first time buyer
• previous home owner who can't now afford to buy without help (perhaps because you have broken up with your partner)
• housing association or council tenant
• ‘key worker’ (a key public sector worker, like a nurse or teacher)

See the ‘Key Worker Living programme’ page to find out if you qualify as a key worker.

• Key Worker Living programme

How to apply

If you think you are eligible for help to get a home through the Rent to HomeBuy scheme, contact your local HomeBuy agent. If you are a key worker, you should contact the HomeBuy agent for the area where you work.

You can find your local HomeBuy agent by following the link below.

• Find a HomeBuy agent in your area

How the Rent to HomeBuy scheme works

Your local HomeBuy agent will assess your eligibility for the scheme and then look at the options available in your area. There are certain newly built properties that you can rent at an affordable rate - 80 per cent (or less) of the market rent. You can rent the property for up to five years.

The Rent to HomeBuy scheme is designed to give you time to save enough money for a deposit to buy the property. You’ll have the first option to buy the property at any time during the tenancy, or at the end.

What happens when your tenancy ends?

At the end of the five-year period a HomeBuy agent will assess your situation again. If you can afford it, you can buy part of the property under the New Build HomeBuy scheme. You’ll need to be able to pay for at least 25 per cent of the property through savings and/or a mortgage. For more information about the New Build HomeBuy scheme, follow the link below.

• New Build HomeBuy scheme

If the HomeBuy agent finds that you can’t afford to buy any share of the property, your landlord will review your tenancy. However, there’s no guarantee that it will be renewed.

More useful links

• Buying your home
• Planning for buying a home (money, tax and benefits section)
• Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau Opens new window