A HomeBuy Agent is a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) appointed by the Housing Corporation to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ and point of contact for applicants interested in accessing Affordable Housing. They will assess your eligibility and give you details of available schemes in your area, and provide help and advice on all aspects of Affordable Housing.

HomeBuy Agents also help Housing Providers market their schemes, and provide them with the details of interested applicants.

Each HomeBuy Agents cover a particular geographical area, and has a proven track record in providing low cost home ownership.

Anyone who cannot afford to purchase a suitable property on the open market can apply. However there are priority groups:

• Existing tenants of local councils or housing associations
• Those registered on housing waiting lists with local councils for social housing
• Key Public Sector workers
• Some other priority first time buyers who cannot purchase without financial assistance

You will have to register with the HomeBuy Agent that either -

• covers the geographical area where you live
• or if you are a Key Worker, covers the geographical area where you work

Once registered, the HomeBuy Agent will share your information with Housing Associations who may also send you information on properties they are marketing. Lea Valley Homes is the HomeBuy Agent for Hertfordshire.

Extended Open Market Homebuy (Equity Loan): It is dependant on whether or not you meet the financial criteria (i.e. meet the minimum/maximum income levels), and various other criteria

New Build HomeBuy (Shared Ownership): It is dependant on whether you meet the financial criteria i.e. meet the minimum/maximum income levels, and other criteria. Different housing providers may have different qualifying criteria for applicants e.g. must live or work in a certain local authority area.

Whether you purchase a property through the HomeBuy schemes or rent through Intermediate Rent, you will be liable for any council tax charges.

Buying a property is expensive, and applicants in the Herts. area will have to have access to approximately £3,500 to cover the ‘one-off’ legal fees, stamp duty, mortgage arrangement fees etc. This may be funded through your own savings or from help via family/friends etc. without the need to take out a personal loan or borrow the money on your mortgage.

We recommend you seek advice from an independent mortgage advisor to see if home ownership is a realistic option for you.

Reading the information on this web site, and it should give you a good indication if you are eligible to apply. Some schemes will only be available to key workers, but the scheme’s details should indicate this. If you are in any doubt, Contact Lea Valley Homes either by e-mail: leavalleyhomes@aldwyck.co.uk or by telephone on 01582 869440

If you have a court order, stating that you must help provide a home for children until they have left full-time education, you may apply - please check with Lea Valley Homes.

If your current property is no longer suitable for your needs, and you are unable to afford the move to a suitable property without financial assistance, you may apply for assistance with the scheme. However, each case is judged individually and any current property would have to be sold, and the equity put into your new home.