Letting your First Home

The rules around letting your property may vary depending on the specific scheme therefore the information contained on this page may not be applicable to all properties. Please contact the First Homes Team for the specific requirements relating to your property.

In most cases:

-          You may let or sub-let your First Home for a fixed term of no more than two years, but you must notify the Council in writing before the First Home is occupied by the tenant or sub-tenant. 

-          The 2 year period is in total and does not have to be continuous or involve the same tenant; all separate rental periods would be added together. However, if the First Home is resold, the 2 year period resets for the new owner.

-          In exceptional circumstances you may be allowed to let out your First Home for any length of time, however you must contact the Council and request approval to do this.

These circumstances may include:

o   You need to live in accommodation other than your First Home for the purposes of employment;

o   You are an active Armed Services Member and is to be deployed elsewhere for the for the duration of the letting or sub-letting;

o   You need to live elsewhere in order to escape a risk of harm;

o   You need to live elsewhere as a result of relationship breakdown;

o   You need to live elsewhere as a result of redundancy; and

o   You need to live elsewhere in order to provide care or assistance to any person.

You will also need approval from your mortgage lender to let out the First Home for any period of time.