Looking for a home

To apply for affordable housing to rent, applicants must register with Southampton City Council by applying to the Housing register. From here applicants will be able to bid for new homes when they are advertised in the Homebid Magazine.

To Apply for shared ownership you need to register with Homes in Hants. Southampton City Council and Homes in Hants have agreed that potential applicants do not need to be on the SCC Housing Register.

If you are trying to get onto the housing ladder but can't afford it, Homes in Hants may be able to help. You must meet the following guidelines:

• Maximum household income of less than £60,000 per annum.
• We recommend household income of greater than £18,000 per annum.
• If purchasing, have savings of at least £2,500 to cover legal and other costs.
• If renting, you will need one month's rent and a a deposit at the tenancy start date.
• Most schemes require sufficient savings for a deposit of 10% towards a mortgage.
• You must not be able to afford to buy a home on the open market (you may be a first time buyer, or an existing home owner who needs a larger home to meet your household needs or going through a relationship breakdown. Existing home owners need to be assessed by their Local Authority).
• You must sell your existing property if you own one.
• Applicants in mortgage or rent arrears at the time of their application or who have been in arrears within the past year are not eligible for the scheme.
• You must be able to obtain a mortgage with a 'high street' or other reputable lender.
• Homes are offered only on the basis of a maximum of one bedroom more than is needed.

Please note from 25 March 2012 the stamp duty exemption for First Time Buyers will cease.

Priority Groups

Please note that from 1 April 2011 the key worker eligibility criteria no longer apply. Priority will be given in the following order to:

Social tenants (Housing Association and Local Authority tenants) and serving military personnel.

Those with local priorities.

Other first time buyers.

You must be able to afford the costs of purchase on the scheme but be able to demonstrate that you are unable to purchase a property outright.