What is Rent to Buy?

Rent to Buy is a government initiative designed to help people move from renting to owning their own home.

Rent to Buy works by offering customers newly built homes for rent at around 20% less than the market rate, allowing them to save for a deposit at the same time.

Smiling couple holding a small wooden house model in a bright room with moving boxes, symbolising the transition from renting to buying a home.

Customers rent at this reduced rate for a period from six months to five years, after which they have the option to:

  • buy their home
  • buy part of their home under shared ownership
  • or move on

Customers are also free to make an outright offer on the property or look into a shared ownership at any point during the lease, so it’s a very flexible route into home ownership.

Two adults holding a baby between them in front of a brick wall, representing a young family preparing for homeownership through rent to buy.

You are eligible for Rent to Buy if:

  • you are in full or part-time employment.
  • your household earns less than £80,000 per year.
  • you are a first-time buyer, or you used to own a home but can no longer afford to do so.
  • you have a good credit history.
  • you can pay your rent and save for a deposit at the same time.

You may also be eligible for Rent to Buy if you are returning to home ownership following a relationship breakdown.

Four people sitting together on a couch, looking at a tablet with toys on the table in front, illustrating family engagement and planning for a future home.

Tap the links for further information on Rent to Buy.

  • GOV.UK - Official government guide - This is the definitive source for understanding how Rent to Buy works in England, including eligibility, how to apply, and regional differences.

  • HomeOwners Alliance – Detailed overview and comparison
    Offers a comprehensive breakdown of how Rent to Buy works, including comparisons with similar schemes like Shared Ownership and Rent to Own in Wales.

  • Money.co.uk - Financial pros and cons - Explains the financial implications of Rent to Buy, including advantages, disadvantages, and how it compares to other first-time buyer schemes.

How does it work?

Customers rent at this reduced rate for a period from six months to five years, after which they have the option to:

  • buy their home
  • buy part of their home under shared ownership
  • or move on

Customers are also free to make an outright offer on the property or look into a shared ownership at any point during the lease, so it’s a very flexible route into home ownership.

Smiling couple holding a small wooden house model in a bright room with moving boxes, symbolising the transition from renting to buying a home.
Who is eligible?

You are eligible for Rent to Buy if:

  • you are in full or part-time employment.
  • your household earns less than £80,000 per year.
  • you are a first-time buyer, or you used to own a home but can no longer afford to do so.
  • you have a good credit history.
  • you can pay your rent and save for a deposit at the same time.

You may also be eligible for Rent to Buy if you are returning to home ownership following a relationship breakdown.

Two adults holding a baby between them in front of a brick wall, representing a young family preparing for homeownership through rent to buy.
Further information

Tap the links for further information on Rent to Buy.

  • GOV.UK - Official government guide - This is the definitive source for understanding how Rent to Buy works in England, including eligibility, how to apply, and regional differences.

  • HomeOwners Alliance – Detailed overview and comparison
    Offers a comprehensive breakdown of how Rent to Buy works, including comparisons with similar schemes like Shared Ownership and Rent to Own in Wales.

  • Money.co.uk - Financial pros and cons - Explains the financial implications of Rent to Buy, including advantages, disadvantages, and how it compares to other first-time buyer schemes.

Four people sitting together on a couch, looking at a tablet with toys on the table in front, illustrating family engagement and planning for a future home.

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