Guildford Home Choice

Buying a Property

Homebuy is a scheme funded by central government and is designed to help people buy their own home. In Surrey it is run by Thames Valley Housing Association. For more details and how to apply click Homebuy.

Cash Incentive Scheme

This scheme only applies to secure Guildford Borough Council tenants who may be able to receive cash help to buy a home of their own on the open market. The idea of the scheme is to assist tenants who would like to buy a home in the private sector and in doing so will vacate their council property, which can then be made available to a family on the housing register.

The scheme aims to help you bridge the gap between what you can afford to borrow and the cost of a property of the size and type that is appropriate for your household. Funds are strictly limited and the scheme is intended to release family accommodation. For more details on the scheme and how to apply click Cash Incentive Scheme.

Right to Buy

Secure tenants of council properties can apply to buy their home under the Right to Buy scheme at a price lower than the full market value. You must have spent 5 years as a public sector tenant before you can apply if your first public sector tenancy was created on or after 18th January 2005. If your first public sector tenancy commenced before this date you can apply after 2 years. If you qualify to buy your home under the Right to Buy you will be eligible for a discount on the price of your home, which will depend on the length of time you have spent as a tenant. For more information click Right to Buy to visit the Communities and Local Government website.

Housing Association tenants of properties built using funding made available after April 1997 may also be able to buy their home under the Right to Acquire. You must have spent 5 years as a public sector tenant before you can apply if your first public sector tenancy was created on or after 18th January 2005. If your first public sector tenancy commenced before this date you can apply after 2 years. For more information click Right to Acquire to visit the Housing Corporation website.