Housing associations

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland

Housing associations are the main providers of new not-for-profit housing in England, with around 3.5 million people living in housing association accommodation. They are also known as registered social landlords (RSLs) or Private Registered Providers of Social Housing (PRPSHs).

Housing associations do not make a profit. Any money they do make is put back into improving existing homes and helping to build new ones.

See our pages on housing association tenancies for more information about the rights you would have if you get a housing association tenancy.

How do I get a rented housing association place?

If you want to get a rented housing association home, you will normally have to apply to go on a waiting list. In most areas, there is a central system for deciding who gets all council and housing association homes, but some housing associations also keep their own separate waiting lists.

To contact housing associations in your area and find out how to apply direct - you can:

But make sure you also apply through your local council's central waiting list as this will increase your chances of getting a place. You can get application forms and information from the housing department of your local council, and most councils will have these forms on their websites.

Find more information on how to get a housing association place by visiting the Tenant Services Authority website and downloading a copy of the Charter for housing association applicants and residents.

Can I buy a home through a housing association?

If you are already a housing association tenant, you may be able to buy the property you currently rent. This may be possible through:

  • the Right to Acquire – similar to the Right to Buy, this scheme allows some housing association tenants to purchase their rented home at a discount
  • Social Homebuy - a Government-backed scheme allowing you to buy between 25 and 100 per cent of the property you currently rent, usually on a shared ownership leasehold basis.

If you want to buy a property other than the one you currently rent, or you are not already renting from a housing association, you may be able to buy a home on a shared ownership basis with the help of a housing association through a number of other schemes. These include, for example:

  • New Build HomeBuy – where newly built or renovated properties are sold on a shared ownership basis.
  • Open Market HomeBuy – which allows you to borrow between 15 and 50 per cent of the value of a property on the open market
  • HomeBuy Direct – where you get a foot on the housing ladder with an equity loan provided by a HomeBuy agent (usually a housing association) and the developer
  • Rent to HomeBuy – where you rent a property from a housing association at reduced rent, giving you time to save for a deposit. At the end of a specified period you can buy a share of the property through the New Build HomeBuy scheme.

Can I get more information on housing association policies?

Contact the relevant housing association directly to get more information on their policies for letting out their property. You can also download Shelter's free guide to housing association tenancies.

If you are not happy with a decision made by a housing association you can make a complaint.


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