Rent to buy
The ‘rent to buy’ scheme was launched by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles in September 2014. It is part of the affordable homes initiative, which also includes ‘help to buy’ and ‘right to buy’.
Rent to buy allows housing associations and other private housing providers to bid for low-cost loans to build new homes. These will mainly consist of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Half of the funding will be made available in London, with London-based housing providers bidding for funding through the Greater London Authority (GLA).
Housing providers must then make the homes available for rent at below-market rates for a minimum of 7 years, that is, at up to 80% of market rent. This 7-year period is intended to give tenants the time to save up for a deposit to buy the home. At the end of the period, the tenant will have first refusal to buy the property.
Housing providers have the flexibility to repay the loan at any time but must repay it no later than 16 years after construction of the funded homes. Only once the loan is repaid can the housing provider sell or rent out the homes at a market rate.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said, “As part of our wider housing programme, this new scheme will help increase the provision of low-cost rented accommodation and provide a springboard for young people to upgrade to home ownership down the line.”
The Mayor of London at that time, Boris Johnson, said, “Loans are available to significantly accelerate the pace of development, especially on bigger schemes, and unlock additional supply. Through this exciting new fund we hope to provide thousands of brand new homes many years sooner than would otherwise be possible, and make them available to rent at below market rates for hardworking Londoners.”
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Affordable housing.
- Affordable rented housing.
- Build to rent.
- Help to buy.
- Housing associations.
- Intermediate housing.
- Real Estate Investment Trusts.
- Right to rent.
- Scotland reaches homebuilding milestone in 2021.
- Section 106 agreements.
- Social rented housing.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Climate Emergency Retrofit Guide
LETI publishes guidance for energy efficient home retrofits.
The new normal for ventilation
Predictions about adequate post-pandemic IAQ in non-domestic buildings.
Government publishes plans to 'build back greener'.
Fire safety exclusions and insurance
The contentious nature of claims associated with cladding, fire safety and EWS1 forms.
ECA comments on low-carbon heating systems initiative and Heat and Buildings Strategy.
Victorian dust heaps of London
Cinders and other forms of domestic rubbish created filth but also generated great wealth.
Young professionals in construction survey
CIC 2050 Group requests input to find out priorities for future industry leaders.
Conservation Principles for North Ireland
IHBC publishes response to consultation.
Budget 2022 - CIOB Ireland responds
Institute applauds funding initiatives but presses for additional retrofit and tax measures.