What are you looking for?

This scheme is operated by Wales & West Housing in partnership with the local authority to assist first time buyers who want to get onto the property ladder but cannot meet the full cost of buying their first home.Homes under the schemes are offered to buyers at 70% of the open market value. You would own the property outright but Wales & West Housing would hold a legal charge on the remaining 30% equity share. You would only need to raise a mortgage/deposit for the 70% and no interest or rent would be payable on the 30% equity share. 

Successful applicants will need to demonstrate by way of a mortgage in principal that they are able to finance 70% of the property value. A deposit of between 5% and 15% would still normally be required by mortgage companies.

Buying a property through the scheme will still incur the normal costs associated with buying a property on the open market including valuation, mortgage and survey fees, legal fees and stamp duty.

In almost all cases yes – we’re aware of the happiness and companionship pets can bring and all we ask is that you follow a few simple rules. Please let your housing officer know if you’re planning to get a pet. Once you become a pet owner, care for them responsibly and ensure they don’t cause a nuisance to neighbours. You are not allowed to keep any animal registered under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, and only if you have a certificate of exemption from a court can you keep a dog registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Contact your housing officer if you have any questions or require advice.

If you already live in a Wales & West home but it is no longer suitable for you, you can ask for a transfer. If you live in Bridgend, Swansea or Wrexham call our Housing Options Team on 0800 052 2526 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) who can discuss your options with you. For other local authority areas you will have to contact the local authority in the area you wish to move to and join their Common Housing Register.Before applying for a transfer, please make sure: 

• Your rent is up to date
• Your property is in good condition
• You don’t cause a nuisance to your neighbours

 

You might like to look into a mutual exchange as this could increase your chances of finding a suitable home more quickly.

If you’re looking to move home, the easiest way is to swap with someone else living in a house owned by a registered social landlord. HomeSwapper is a website, where people wanting to move can post details of what they want and get matched with other people wanting to move. Registration to HomeSwapper is free for Wales & West Housing residents and once you’ve signed up you can post details of what you’re looking for and what you’re swapping. HomeSwapper will automatically search for potential swaps and alert you of potential matches. When you have found someone to exchange with, contact our Housing Options Team on 0800 052 2526 or e-mail us at housingoptionsteam@wwha.co.uk. They will send you the exchange form to complete and return before we can approve the swap. 

Before applying for a mutual exchange, please make sure:

• You have been a resident for more than 12 months
• Your rent is paid up to date
• Your home is in a good condition
• The property you wish to move to is suitable for your needs
• You are not in any other breach of your tenancy agreement