Romansfield, Okehampton
Tamar Housing is delighted to be working with Rentplus and Redrow Homes to provide 12 new affordable rent to buy houses in Okehampton. These Rentplus homes will include nine 2 bedroom homes and three 3 bedroom homes. The first four homes are nearing completion and will be available in Summer 2019. Further homes will be available in Spring 2020.
The first of these properties will be available in the coming weeks - make sure you are registered on Devon Home Choice before bidding opens!
Romansfield takes its name from the historic Roman road which is found on the site, and is located just a mile from the town centre and right next door to a brand new primary school! Each home comes with its own private rear garden and 2 allocated parking spaces. For more information about the site and developer, Redrow Homes, click here.
The 12 affordable Rentplus properties comprise of:
- Nine 2 bedroom houses, Tavy
- Three 3 bedroom houses, Tavy3
Click the links below for more information on each house type:
To be considered for these Rentplus properties you must have a strong local connection to the District of West Devon. The local connection criteria for this development is summarised below. The applicant must:
- Be a permanent resident for at least 12 months, or at least 3 of the last 5 years or at least 5 of the last 30 years; or
- Be in permanent full or part time work in the area for 6 months during the last year; or
- Have close relatives (parents, children, siblings) who have lived in the area for at least 5 years; or
- Be existing social housing tenants; or
- Have other special circumstances as confirmed in writing by the Council
and in each case with priority preference given to categories (a) to (e) above and in accordance with the Allocations Criteria.
People eligible with a Local Connection will be allocated Affordable Rentplus Dwellings with priority preference given to persons with a Local Connection to the town of Okehampton.
If this criteria also cannot be met, then further criteria may apply. Further information is available on request.
Who Should Apply for a Rentplus Home?
Rentplus is aimed at people who are looking to move into home ownership. You might be renting privately, living with relatives or renting from a housing association or Council. Rentplus will be especially attractive to younger families who will be able to get a mortgage in 5 to 20 years.
You will need to show that you can save a deposit over a number of years, that you will be able to get a mortgage and that you are committed to home ownership.
Rentplus would be suitable for people who
- Are in work or in training
- Have been saving for a deposit or are able to do so
- Have a good credit history or who are already taking steps to improve their credit score
Rentplus will especially suit people who are looking to buy a home but aren’t able to do so yet, as you will get the chance to save up for a deposit while living in your new home. You might be looking to get a better job, training for a career or looking for promotion.
What should you consider before bidding for a Rentplus Home?
You should consider the following questions carefully before bidding.
a) Can you afford to pay the rent and start saving for a deposit?
b) Will you be able to get a mortgage when your home comes to the end of its time as a Rentplus home?
c) How old will you be when your home comes to the end of its time as a Rentplus home? If you will be over 50 this might affect your ability to get a mortgage.
d) Are there better housing options for you?
If you are high on the HomeChoice list, waiting for a Housing Association home might be a better option.
Applying for Rentplus
Rentplus is new type of affordable housing aimed at people who aspire to home ownership. You will be able to rent a home at an affordable rent (80% of the market rent) for between 5 and 20 years. At the end of this time you will get the chance to buy your home with the benefit of a gifted deposit. Priority for Rentplus homes will be given to those bidding using Devon Home Choice (see above link) in the first instance. Should there be insufficient applications with a local connection who bid then Tamar will consider applications made directly. To apply directly to Tamar please click on the "applying for a Rentplus home" link above.
If you are interested in a Rentplus property at Hartley Gardens then please complete this form and register on Devon Home Choice here as soon as possible.