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Existing Home Owners
HomeBuy is designed for First Time Buyers. Existing Home Owners can only access the scheme on condition that they meet ALL of the crieria below:
- Have a priority need for accommodation (as defined by s189 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002))
- Your council has assessed that it is not reasonable for you to continue to occupy your current accommodation (as defined by s177(2) and s177(3) of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002))
- cannot afford to buy a property that is suitable for your needs.
What is meant by 'priority need for accommodation'?
Applicants in the following categories should fall into priorty need. Click on the links for an explanation - please note that the links will divert you to Shelter's website.
- Pregnant women (and people who live with them)
- People responsible for dependent children
- People made homeless by fire, flood or other disaster
- Certain people aged 16 or 17
- Certain care leavers
- Other people who are particularly vulnerable
What if the council decides I'm not in priority need?
If the council decides that you are not in priority need it has to inform you in writing. The decision letter must explain the reasons why the council has decided that you are not in priority need. It must also inform you that if you want to request a review of the decision, you have to do so within 21 days.
What is meant by 'not reasonable to continue occupying my current accommodation'?
In determining whether it would be reasonable for you to continue to occupy your current accommodation, regard may be had to the general circumstances prevailing in relation to housing in the district of the council to whom you have applied for accommodation or assistance.
The Secretary of State may by order specify—
(a) other circumstances in which it is to be regarded as not reasonable for you to continue to occupy your current accommodation, and
(b) other matters to be taken into account or disregarded in determining whether it would be reasonable for you to continue to occupy your current accommodation.