Renting and Buying options

An application for housing from the Council or a housing association can be made by individuals. To qualify for housing you must complete an application form and register on the waiting list. Each landlord has its own rules for the allocation of its properties. In many cases however, the Council has nomination arrangements with housing associations, which allows it to put applicants forward for consideration for vacancies arising. However, the Council and the Housing Associations may have long waiting lists.

There are a number of landlords who have accommodation for rent. Private landlords will require a deposit, which would have to be paid before obtaining the keys to the property. Unlike the Council and Housing Associations that give a tenancy for however long you want it, private landlords usually only offer short-term tenancies.

Shared ownership schemes are run by housing associations and are available to help people who cannot afford to buy their home outright. Shared ownership is a way of buying your own home and giving you the choice about where you want to live and the support you receive.

One of the first stages of the home-buying process is to approach a mortgage lender to find out how much it would be willing to lend you. Once you have established how much you are able to borrow you can look for a house to buy.