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The Affordable Housing Scheme is part of a Government initiative that's designed to help:

  • individuals and families access low cost housing
  • first time buyers get a foot on the property ladder.

You do not need be a first time buyer to access a property on the scheme, as it is open to families, singles and couples. You also do not have to be on our housing waiting list to access these properties. 

Adapted properties are also advertised for people with disabilities or particular needs. We'll give priority to anyone who applies for the scheme, where such needs are noted on the application.

Where properties are developed for a particular customer group, such as for older people, these homes will only be allocated to customers with these characteristics.

Please note that this scheme is not council provided housing. If you want to apply for council housing, you can apply online.

Affordable housing scheme applications

To be eligible to apply for an affordable housing scheme property, you must: 

  • have lived in the Bury borough for the last 6 months or more before applying
    • for joint applicants, only one of you must meet this criteria
  • have no current or previous rent arrears with the council
  • have no history of anti-social behaviour with the council
  • agree to use the property as your own main home 
  • agree to not rent the property out
  • not own any other property.

Please note that you may not have to be registered on the affordable housing scheme or live in the borough to be eligible for certain properties or developments. Please contact us if you're unsure.

If you're applying for Intermediate Rent, must have a household income of less than £80,000 per annum and be in permanent employment.

Property size allocations

You can apply for a property that has one bedroom more than you need, for example a single person or couple:

  • can apply for a two bedroom property
  • with one child can apply for a three bed property
  • with two children can apply for a four bed property.

Bedroom allocations for children are as follows:

  • one bedroom will be allocated to children of the same sex, with a maximum of two per room
  • one bedroom will be allocated to children of the opposite sex up to the age of 10 years old, with a maximum of two per room.

If you believe you meet all criteria for the affordable housing scheme and have read the scheme guidance, you can apply online.

Application process

After you've applied, we'll conduct any necessary checks of your suitability for the scheme.

We aim to process your application within 10 working days and confirm whether you've been accepted onto the affordable housing scheme.

If your application is successful, you can check available properties and contact us if you're interested in a particular property after you've confirmed its availability with the house builder, estate/letting agent or other sales agent. 

If your application is unsuccessful, we will inform you of the reasons for the rejection. If you do not agree with the decision, you can request a review by writing to:

  • Corporate Policy Manager, Affordable Housing, Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0SW

Affordable housing scheme advice and conditions

  • You must not pay for a survey or make a reservation with a housebuilder, letting agent or other without receiving written permission from the council, subject to a financial assessment and completion of the council's 'check list' declaration by an independent financial advisor (where applicable).
  • Some housebuilders, housing associations and estate/letting agents have their own financial advisors who may be able to do this for you. You should ask your financial advisor to carry out an affordability check with you, to make sure that you can afford your mortgage and/or rent payments (if applicable) and future living costs. If you are buying a property, your financial advisor will be able to help you find a mortgage which meets your needs. Once you have chosen a financial advisor to act on your behalf, please make sure they speak to the Principal Strategy Officer of Corporate Policy first, to ensure that they have a full understanding of this scheme.
  • Please be aware that some financial advisors and mortgage companies charge for their services. In addition, you will have to pay a valuation fee and solicitor fees if you are buying or part buying a property. Your financial advisor and solicitor will be able to give you details of any additional costs.
  • Once your mortgage company has approved your mortgage application, they will send a valuer to examine the condition of the property to see how much it is worth.
    • You must have a valuation to check that the sale price is correct and to ensure that you are getting the right amount of discount (if applicable). For example, if the property you want to buy under Home Ownership/Discount Market Housing has a 25 percent discount and is being advertised for sale at £75,000, the full market value of the property should be £100,000. It is your responsibility to check this with the valuer you appoint, your financial advisor and chosen solicitor. You must have the property valued even if you do not need to get a mortgage.
    • The valuer's report will be sent to your mortgage company and they will let you know if they are prepared to give you a mortgage. You will receive a copy of this report, and you must make sure that the details of your purchase have been correctly identified in the report. For example, if you are buying a property under Home Ownership/Discount Market Housing with a 25 percent discount off the full market value, you must make sure that your valuation report and subsequent mortgage offer gives a clear explanation of this. Your solicitor will be able to check this for you.
  • Upon completion of your purchase, you are required to pay the council an administration fee of 1 percent of the discounted market value (or 1 percent of the full market value if shared ownership, where applicable), as a contribution towards the costs associated with the nomination process.
  • All costs associated with your purchase/rental whether it is completed or not are your responsibility and, we cannot accept any liability.