This is your definitive guide to all things about affordable homes.
While there are many properties for sale via ESPC that are ideal for first-time buyers or those with low budgets, affordable housing is defined as:
Low-cost market housing and subsidised housing that is available to people who cannot afford to rent or buy houses generally available on the open market.
There are a range of initiatives from the public and private sectors that can help people onto the property ladder. For more information please select any of the initiatives named on the right.
You can also register for our affordability alerts. We will send you details as and when any new schemes or opportunities are launched on to the property market. Click here to register now.
Affordable housing initiatives can be broadly defined into 4-categories:
- Shared Equity: this is where you own 100% of the property but a percentage (normally less than 50%) of the equity is retained by the organisation that helped you pay for the property. This may be a social landlord (as is the case with the LIFT scheme) or the property developer.
- Shared Ownership: this is where you buy a percentage of the property and the remainder is owned by, usually, a Housing Association. There may be an occupancy charge and you may have to give the Housing Association first right of refusal when you wish to sell your share. If you are interested in this option please contact your local housing association or click here to view the shared ownership properties currently advertised with the ESPC.
- Rent to Buy: After renting a property for a period of time, you have the option to buy the property. All or some of the rent paid to date would be accounted for in the price that would be paid for the property. It is a bit like try before you buy.
- Discounted Sale Properties: these are properties which are for sale below the market value. There are eligibility criteria for anyone looking to buy a discounted property. Homes on this scheme available through City of Edinburgh Council can be viewed by clicking here.
The details of each scheme vary based on the criteria set the the organisation behind it.