Use this page to find out what affordable housing is, including:
Affordable housing is lower cost housing for people who can't meet their housing needs. This can include:
To access affordable housing in Bath and North East Somerset, you need to meet our eligibility criteria. This ensures that we only give housing to people who really need it.
The amount of affordable housing we require from developers is based on a detailed assessment of local housing needs and income levels.
We also use this data to decide the volume of different types of affordable housing for people to rent or buy, as some people need a bigger discount than others.
The Government controls the official definition of what can be classed as Affordable Housing in the National Planning Policy Framework.
There are several types of affordable housing that you can rent, including:
Select a topic below to find out more about each type of affordable rented housing, including how to apply.
Social rented properties usually have the lowest rents. However, these rents exclude service charges and there can be long waiting lists.
Some social rented housing is owned by us and some by registered providers, such as housing associations.
You can apply for social rented housing using our Homesearch system.
Affordable rented properties are more expensive than social rented properties, but there are rent controls. The rent is not more than 80% of local market rents, including service charges.
These homes are let by local authorities or social housing providers to those eligible for social rented housing.
You can apply for affordable rented housing using our Homesearch system.
Intermediate rented properties are more expensive than social rented properties, but there are rent controls. The rent is not more than 80% of local market rents.
Housing associations may offer you one of these properties, and let these to you on an assured shorthold tenancy.
Affordable Rent homes are let by Build to Rent landlords at a maximum of 80% of local market rents. These properties will include service charges.
You don’t usually need to be registered on our Homesearch system to apply for this type of affordable housing, but you do need to meet the eligibility criteria to qualify.
You can apply for Build to Rent homes directly with the landlord. Local estate or letting agents will usually advertise these properties.
There are several types of affordable housing which you can buy, including:
Select a topic below to find out more about each type of affordable housing you can buy.
When you buy a shared ownership property, you use a mortgage to buy a percentage of the property.
You then pay rent on the remaining percentage, to the housing provider. You can buy a bigger stake in the home when you can afford to do so.
We usually control the share you can buy and the rent you pay on the share you don't buy, to make sure you can afford it.
First Homes is a new scheme designed to help local first-time buyers onto the property ladder.
Homes are offered at a discount of 30% compared to the market price. The discounts will apply to the homes forever.
These properties are sold by private developers as part of the affordable housing delivered through their development.
You will need to check whether a builder is currently including First Homes as part of their development. If they are, you must qualify through the First Homes eligibility criteria and apply through the builder, who will advertise the homes.
Discount Market Sale properties are very similar to First Homes, but the level of discount will vary. The discount depends on the location of the development and the value of houses in that area.
You do not need to be a first-time buyer to purchase one of these properties in Bath and North East Somerset.
To apply for these homes, you need to apply through the builder when these homes are new.
If you decide to sell the property, it will be put on the market just like any other home for sale, but the discount and eligibility criteria will remain.
You can visit the Own Your Home website to find out more about other government home ownership schemes.