Affordable Housing in Ayrshire
Land to Homes includes affordable housing in the schemes it plans in Ayrshire, usually delivered through a planning obligation and transferred to a registered housing provider. The types vary by nation and local policy, from social rent to shared ownership and discounted sale. You can register interest with us, but eligibility and allocation are always decided by the council or provider.
AyrshireRegister your interest
Tell us where you want to live and what you need. Free, no obligation.
Registering interest is not a housing application. Social and affordable homes are allocated by councils and housing providers through their own lists.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Free to registerNo fees, no deposit, no obligation
- Hear firstIf homes are released near you
- Affordable homesWith councils and housing associations
- Clear informationTenure, specification and warranty
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Registering for homes in Ayrshire
We cover 3 places across Ayrshire: Kilmarnock is the main one, alongside Irvine and Ayr. If your land is near a boundary, we also cover Glasgow & the Clyde, Lanarkshire and Argyll & Bute.
People registering interest around Ayrshire can tell us whether they want accessible and adaptable homes, homes for first-time buyers or homes for affordable rent. Because Ayrshire is in Scotland, land titles are registered with Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) and transfers attract Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT).
Registering for Ayrshire is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.
What we offer in Ayrshire
Providers involved early
We aim to agree affordable homes with a housing association or other registered provider early, so the homes meet their standards and local need.
Delivered through planning
Affordable homes are usually secured by a planning obligation, such as a Section 106 or Section 75 agreement, agreed with the council at planning stage.
Nation-aware delivery
Affordable housing works differently in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we follow the rules and funding routes of each.
Register interest
You can register interest with us, and we will point you to the council or provider responsible if affordable homes come forward on one of our sites.
The Scottish system, as it applies in Ayrshire
Scotland's Affordable Housing Supply Programme has a national target for new affordable homes, most of them for social rent. Councils and registered social landlords around Ayrshire deliver most of these, mainly as new build, with registered social landlords regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator. Land to Homes can supply sites, design and construction to help partners deliver, whether on land we bring forward or land a partner already owns.
In Scotland, affordable homes are funded through the Scottish Government's Affordable Housing Supply Programme, guided by each council's Strategic Housing Investment Plan, and are often secured through Section 75 agreements. Registered social landlords are regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator. Tenures include social rent, mid-market rent and shared equity.
| National planning policy | National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
| In-principle consent | Planning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) |
| Land registration | Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
Common questions in Ayrshire
Can I register interest in an affordable home with Land to Homes?
Yes, but registering with us is not an application and does not affect eligibility. If a site we bring forward includes affordable homes, we will tell you which council or housing provider is responsible so you can apply through them. You should also register directly with your council and with housing associations in the area.
How is affordable housing delivered on new developments?
Usually through planning. The council's development plan sets out how much affordable housing a scheme should provide, and the commitment is secured in a planning obligation. The developer builds the homes and transfers them to a registered provider at a price that reflects their affordable status, sometimes supported by public grant. The provider then lets or sells them.
What is the difference between social rent and affordable rent?
Social rent is the lowest-cost rented housing, with rents in England set using a government formula and kept low by policy or regulation elsewhere. Affordable rent, used mainly in England, is set by reference to local market rents and is usually higher than social rent. Both are let by councils and registered providers to eligible households.
Who decides if I am eligible for an affordable home?
The council, the housing association or other provider, and the rules of the particular scheme. Eligibility usually depends on household income, housing need and sometimes a local connection to the area. Land to Homes does not decide eligibility or allocate homes. If you are interested, contact your local council's housing team and housing associations working in the area.
Can I register for new homes in Ayrshire?
Yes. Registering for Ayrshire is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Ayrshire, we will contact you.
Read more: Affordable Housing · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI