Affordable Housing in Antrim
Land to Homes includes affordable housing in the schemes it plans in Antrim, 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.
Antrim · BT41Register 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
Homes we plan around Antrim
About 14 miles north-west of Belfast, Antrim is part of our County Antrim coverage, centred on postcode district BT41. The nearest other places we cover are Ballymena (10 miles), Newtownabbey (13 miles) and Belfast (14 miles).
People registering interest around Antrim can tell us whether they want two- and three-bedroom family homes, homes for first-time buyers or homes for affordable rent. As Antrim is in Northern Ireland, applications are judged against the Strategic Planning Policy Statement, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Register for Antrim and we will contact you if we bring homes forward nearby.
How we work in Antrim
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.
Help for landowners
We explain how affordable housing requirements affect what a site is worth, so landowners understand an offer rather than just receiving one.
Eligibility set by others
Who can apply is set by the council, the housing provider and the scheme rules. We explain the process, but we do not decide eligibility or allocations.
Nation-aware delivery
Affordable housing works differently in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we follow the rules and funding routes of each.
Planning and land rules in Antrim
Social homes in Antrim are built mainly by registered housing associations through the Social Housing Development Programme. The Department for Communities funds the programme and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive manages it, assessing need and drawing up a rolling three-year plan. Housing associations are regulated by the Department for Communities. Land to Homes can bring forward land and build homes for housing association partners.
In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the strategic housing authority and manages the Social Housing Development Programme, while housing associations regulated by the Department for Communities build and manage most new social homes. Affordable housing can be secured through Section 76 agreements, and shared ownership is offered mainly through Co-Ownership.
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP), made up of a Plan Strategy and a Local Policies Plan |
|---|---|
| Who decides applications | The 11 district councils, with the Department for Infrastructure deciding regionally significant applications |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding when contracts signed by both parties are exchanged and finishes on completion, with the title registered in the Land Registry at Land & Property Services. |
Affordable Housing in Antrim: questions
Does affordable housing reduce what my land is worth?
It usually affects value, because affordable homes are transferred to a provider for less than open market homes would sell for. The council's affordable housing policy, and other planning obligations, are among the costs a buyer allows for when valuing land. Our free site appraisal explains how these factors apply to your site.
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.
What is shared ownership?
Shared ownership lets you buy a share of a home, usually with a mortgage, and pay rent to the housing provider on the remaining share. You can normally buy further shares over time, which is known as staircasing. Schemes and rules differ by nation and by provider, so check the details and take independent legal and financial advice before committing.
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.
Can I register for new homes in Antrim?
Yes. Registering for Antrim is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Antrim, we will contact you.
Read more: Affordable Housing · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI