Eligibility
You must be:
- 18 or older
- A first time buyer
- Able to get a mortgage for at least half the price of the home
- Buying the home as part of a household where total income is no more than £80,000 (or £90,000 if you live in London)
The local council may also set some eligibility conditions, so please check this with the relevant local authority.
How it works
You look for new homes in your area that are advertised by developers as part of the First Homes Scheme.
Developers offer these homes to first-time buyers with 30% to 50% of the market value taken off the price.
The homes cannot cost more than £420,000 in London, or £250,000 anywhere else in England, after the discount has been applied.
You’ll need to be aware that you can only sell the home to someone who is eligible to buy using the scheme. You must give them the same percentage discount that you got, based on the home’s market value at the time of sale.
How to apply
Contact the developer and tell them you are interested in purchasing using the First Homes Scheme. They’ll help you find an available plot and complete the application. They’ll then send it on to the local council for approval.
You’ll have to pay a fee if the First Homes you want to buy is a newbuild. The amount is set by the developer. You’ll get the fee back if your application is unsuccessful.
The local council will check your application to make sure you’re eligible. They’ll contact you to tell you their decision. They’ll also contact the developer and your mortgage advisor.
