HomeBuy

HomeBuy helps people to get their first foot on the property ladder.  HomeBuy also helps those people who wish to rent but cannot afford to pay market rents.

If you are interested and wish to apply you should contact Moat, the Local HomeBuy Agent for Essex, Kent and Sussex.  Information is available on the HomeBuy website (which can be accessed by using the link in the box on the right hand side of this page).  Local HomeBuy Agents work with local authorities and other housing associations to provide HomeBuy options for which you may be eligible.

Buying  a home
HomeBuy helps people, usually first time buyers, who cannot afford to buy a property that suits their housheold needs on the open market.

All first time buyers may apply.  Social tenants who wish to buy a property through HomeBuy are given top priority.

HomeBuy can also help you if you have previously owned a property but are now unable to buy wthout assistance, for example in the case of a relationship breakdown, or if you are over-crowded in your current home.

The maximum income allowed is £60,000 per annum (single or joint).  You will need to have access to (or savings) of £3,500 to cover the initial costs of buying a home.

Renting a home
Eligibility for renting a home through HomeBuy can vary between different schemes.  For example, under Rent to HomeBuy you will be assessed in the same way as if you were buying a share in the property (but with no requirement for savings).  For discounted rent, you will need to demonstrate that you can afford to pay the monthly rent and service charge payments.

General
Some homes can only be provided to people with a local connection (live, work or family connection) to the local authority area in which the property is located.

Although most homes through HomeBuy are available to all first time buyers, some can only be allocated to qualifying key workers (see further details on the HomeBuy website).

Social HomeBuy is only available to existing local authority and housing association tenants.