Council tenants
Like many other London boroughs, Ealing has a severe shortage of
homes. This means that only a small number of people are likely to
be assisted by the council. The following schemes are provided
as alternative rehousing options for existing council tenants:
Schemes to help you buy your own home:
New Build HomeBuy (previously
called shared ownership)
Shared Ownership Homes
Open Market Homebuy for public sector
tenants (previously called Homebuy)
Homebuyers Grant Scheme
Do It Yourself Shared Ownership (DIYSO)
Open Market HomeBuy for key
workers (previously called key worker housing scheme)
Schemes to help you move to a new home:
HOMES Mobility Scheme
Mutual Exhange (Homeswap)
Out of London Scheme
Transfer Incentive Scheme
New
Build HomeBuy
(previously called shared ownership)
This is a part-buy part-rent scheme. The scheme enables
people to buy a share of a newly built property. You buy a share
(between 25%-75%) in a housing association property and rent the
remaining share from the housing association. Over time you can buy
more shares in the property until you eventually own the property
outright. When you resell the property you keep the percentage of
the property’s market value that you own. To be eligible you need
to live or work in Ealing and be earning at least £20,000. Priority
is given to council and housing association tenants.
Contact details for this scheme are not currently available. Please check this page again for updated information.
Shared
Ownership Homes
These operate in a similar wayto other shared ownership
schemes, but allow you to move outside the borough. For further
information:
Tel: (020) 7963 0246
Website:
www.homes.org.uk
Open
Market Homebuy for public sector tenants
(previously called Homebuy
Scheme)
This is available to council and housing association tenants
in homes with two or more bedrooms. It enables tenants to purchase
75% of a property on the open market. The remaining 25% is provided
by a housing association as an equity loan which you pay back only
when you resell the property.
Tel: 0845 230 8099
Website:
www.housingoptions.co.uk
Home Buyers
Grant Scheme
This scheme will not be available until April 2007
as the 2006/07 budget has been used up. Please check this
website for further information about the 2007/08 Home Buyers Grant
Scheme.
When funds are available council tenants who want to buy a property on the open market can apply for a grant of up to £30,000. Only secure council tenants of more than two years and living in a property with three or more bedrooms can apply. For more information contact the home ownership team on (020) 8825 9506.
Do It
Yourself Shared Ownership (DIYSO)
Tenants wishing to buy a property on the open market must
purchase at least 25 per cent of the property through mortgage or
savings. The remainder of the purchase price will be funded by a
council grant with
Bush Housing Association as a shared equity partner. Rent
will be required on the remaining percentage share. Due to limited
availability of places, not everyone who qualifies will be accepted
onto this scheme. Contact the
rehousing
choice team for more information.
HOMES
Mobility Scheme
The council may be able to put your name forward to
another local authority if you are an agreed housing register case.
If you wish to move to another London borough, your chances will be
greater if you are prepared to move to east or south-east London
where more homes are available. Contact the
rehousing choice team for details on how to
register, or for more information visit:
www.homes.org.uk.
Mutual
Exchange (HOMESWAP)
Self-help scheme to assist council tenants in finding another
council or housing association tenant to swap homes. Contact your
local estate manager to register, or for more information visit:
www.homes.org.uk
Open
Market HomeBuy for key
workers (previously called key worker housing scheme)
This is available to people employed in certain sectors that
are seen as key to the local area’s economy eg teachers, nurses,
police. It enables these people to purchase 75% of a property on
the open market. The remaining 25% is provided by a housing
association as an equity loan which you pay back only when you
resell the property.
Tel: 0845 230 8099
Website:
www.housingoptions.co.uk
Out of London scheme
Transfer
Incentive Scheme
The
Transfer Incentive Schemeencourages tenants living in
properties larger than their needs to move into smaller homes. This
allows homeless families or tenants living in temporary or
overcrowded accommodation to be re-housed.
The council offers:
- £1000 per bedroom when you move to a smaller property eg moving from four-bed property to a one-bed would give you £3000
- Up to £2000 to help with moving expenses, or we will arrange your move for you to include any redecoration of your new home and any alterations necessary
The council will allow you to choose the type of accommodation and the area you wish to move to. You can move to an area within Ealing or to Harrow, Hillingdon, Brent or Hounslow. Note: you can move to a smaller property outside of London on the Homes Mobility Scheme.
Moving to a smaller property can reduce your heating bills and time spent on housekeeping. If you have mobility difficulties, you may be able to move to a more suitable ground-floor location such as a flat with a lift or a bungalow. You may also have a connection to a community alarm system.
You are eligible for the scheme if:
- you are a secure tenant of a 2, 3 or 4-bedroom property and you would like to move to a smaller property
- your home requires adaptations and you agree to move to a property more suitable
- your home has adaptations which you no longer require
- you undertake a mutual exchange with another tenant of Ealing Council who is registered for a transfer and has priority for overcrowding
Underoccupation Officer
Tel: (020) 8825 7384