Renting an affordable home

If you’re in severe housing need or you’re struggling to afford to rent a property privately, Shropshire Council offer a number of options for affordable rented homes.

Here are the six main affordable housing options to explore if you’re looking to rent a home in Shropshire:

 

AFFORDABLE RENTED HOUSING

Affordable Rented Housing refers to properties which are owned and managed by a Registered Provider – an independent housing organisation such as a Housing Association, Trust, Co-Operative or Charity. Shropshire Council works with a number of Registered Providers, including Connexus, Housing Plus Group, Shropshire Rural, STAR and Wrekin Housing Trust.

These properties are let to people on Shropshire Council’s HomePoint Register on a flexible type of tenancy, where the standards for management, maintenance, annual rent increases and the provision of other services are set nationally.

Rent levels for Affordable Rented Housing are set at 80% of the open market rental value that a property could otherwise yield (with a cap being imposed at the maximum amount of Local Housing Allowance payable for that property in Shropshire if this is lower than the calculated 80% figure).

Applicable Service Charges are included within this 80% formula price calculation, and the tenure is regulated by Homes England.

 

DISCOUNTED RENTED HOUSING

Discounted Rented Housing allows people from Shropshire Council’s HomePoint Register to rent a property on an Assured Shorthold tenancy granted by the Landlord, in accordance with the provisions of the Housing Acts of 1988, 1996 and subsequent legislation.

Rent levels for this tenure are set at a maximum of 80% of the open market rental value that a property could potentially yield (with a cap being imposed at the maximum amount of Local Housing Allowance payable for that property in Shropshire if this is lower than the calculated 80% figure).

All Service Charges are included within this 80% formula price calculation, and a  minimum initial fixed tenancy period of 12 months is granted by the Landlord, extending for a further two years (or beyond, by mutual agreement) providing that there is no breach of tenancy causing the Landlord to seek Possession.

When you vacate the property, it will be reallocated to another person from Shropshire Council’s HomePoint Register on the same terms.

 

SOCIAL RENTED HOUSING

Social Rented Housing refers to affordable rental properties that are available to local people on the HomePoint register. This type of housing is let at a low rent on a secure basis to those in severe housing need.

Social Rented Housing is owned and let by Local Authorities, Registered Providers or other private providers, and is provided under equivalent rental arrangements as agreed with the either the Local Authority or Homes England.

These homes are subject to rent controls that require a rent of no more than 80% of the local market rent, which also includes any service charges where applicable.

 

INTERMEDIATE HOUSING

Intermediate Housing refers to homes for sale and rent which are provided at a cost above Social Rent, but below market levels. 

They could include Shared Equity (shared ownership and equity loans) or other low-cost homes for sale and intermediate rent.

 

ENTRY LEVEL HOUSING TO RENT

Entry-Level Housing to Rent refers to first-time rental homes. Entry level housing can be found on many new property developments throughout the county.

 

KEY WORKER HOUSING TO RENT

If you’re a Public Sector employee who is considered to provide an essential service, you may be eligible for Key Worker Housing to Rent.