First Homes information for developers

There are set criteria for the delivery of First Homes and these include (but not limited to):

• The property price cannot be greater than £250,000 after the 30% discount has been applied
•  Applicants must be first time buyers
• Applicants must have an income (or combined income in the case of joint applications) of less than £80,000
• The purchaser must have a mortgage which is more than 50% of the discounted purchase price
• Any local connection criteria specified by the Council

The Process

1)    When the Section 106 Agreement for the site has been signed please make contact with the First Homes Team to notify us of the expected commencement dates for the First Homes on your site. At this point we can answer any questions you may have regarding advertising the First Homes.

2)    6 months prior to completion of the First Home on your development please contact with the First Homes Team to provide anticipated completion dates for your First Homes. The Council will then prepare a site specific Application Pack and Conveyancer Pack for your scheme. You can then begin marketing the First Homes.

3)    When you receive the Application Pack you can begin marketing your First Homes.There are some specific requirements that you will need to follow as part of the marketing process:

a) You cannot market the First Homes more than 6 months prior to completion.

b) Please ensure that any local connection and eligibility requirements are publicised and adhered to for the required period of time contained within your Section 106 and Application Pack. Generally, First Homes should be marketed for the first 3 months to those who meet the local connection criteria and after 3 months to those who meet the local or national eligibility criteria however this will be dependent on the wording of your Section 106.

c) You must include the First Homes logo and following wording on any marketing material

"First Homes is a new scheme designed to help local first time buyers and key workers onto the property ladder, by offering homes at a discount of 30% compared to the market price. The discounts will apply to the homes forever, meaning that generations of new buyers and the local community will continue to benefit every time the property is sold."

4)    When you have identified a prospective purchaser you will need to check that they meet the local and national requirements to purchase a First Home. If you are satisfied that this is the case you will need to assist the prospective purchaser to complete the Application Form and collate their evidence of eligibility. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Evidence of annual income - examples include; employment contract, P60 or letter from their employer.
• Evidence of Local Connection covering the preceding 2 years (if applicable) - examples include; tenancy agreement, utility bills. 
• Evidence of Armed Forces connection if applicable.
• Mortgage Decision In Principle.

Please note: it is the developers responsibility to carry out their own verification checks to ensure that the applicant meets the local and eligibility criteria before submitting the application to the Council.

5)    When the application form and evidence has been completed you will need to email it to First.homes@boston.gov.uk

6)    The Council will then assess the application and if the application form is satisfactory we will issue an Authority to Proceed to all parties and the conveyancers can then begin the sale process.