How to get a housing association home
Find out about renting or buying a home from a housing association.
How to apply for a home to rent
Housing association homes are in high demand and it can be difficult to get one.
In most areas you must apply to the council's housing register to be considered for a housing association tenancy.
Some housing associations also keep their own waiting lists.
Ask your council for a list of any housing associations with an open waiting list:
Types of tenancy
A housing association tenancy could be a:
assured shorthold tenancy - with a fixed term of at least 2 years
The type of tenancy you have affects your rights. You have better protection from eviction if you have a fully assured tenancy.
Rent levels
Rents levels are usually set at either:
social rent - around 50% of local market rent
affordable rent - around 80% of local market rent
You may be able to claim universal credit or housing benefit to help with rent.
Buying your housing association home
You may be able to buy your rented home at a discount under the Right to Acquire.
Most housing association tenants don't qualify for the bigger discounts offered under the Right to Buy scheme but there might be exceptions if you have a:
'preserved right to buy' because you're a former council tenant
Buying a shared ownership home
You may be able to part-rent, part-buy your home through a shared ownership scheme.
You buy a share of your home - between 25% and 75% - and pay rent to a housing association for the share you don't own.
You don't have to be a housing association tenant to qualify.
Find out about your rights and responsibilities if you buy a shared ownership home.
Still need help?
If you need more advice on renting from a housing association:
If you need more advice on buying your housing association home:
To find about shared ownership schemes in your area:
Last updated: 24 September 2018