Affordable Housing in County Londonderry
Affordable housing in County Londonderry means homes for rent or sale offered below market levels to people whose needs are not met by the open market, such as social and affordable rent, shared ownership and discounted market sale. Land to Homes plans affordable homes into the sites it brings forward and works with councils and housing associations, which set eligibility and allocate the homes.
County LondonderryRegister 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
New homes around County Londonderry
Across County Londonderry, we cover Derry/Londonderry and 3 other towns, among them Coleraine, Magherafelt and Limavady. Neighbouring areas we also cover include County Tyrone, County Antrim and County Armagh.
When you register for County Londonderry, you can choose two- and three-bedroom family homes, homes for first-time buyers or larger family homes. In Northern Ireland, where County Londonderry sits, planning decisions are made by the 11 district councils, with the Department for Infrastructure deciding regionally significant applications.
Registering for County Londonderry is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.
Our approach in County Londonderry
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.
Every main tenure explained
Social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership, discounted market sale and their equivalents in each nation, explained in plain terms with who each one is for.
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.
Rules that apply in County Londonderry
In Northern Ireland, housing associations find sites and develop schemes under the Social Housing Development Programme, while the Housing Executive assesses housing need in areas such as County Londonderry. Councils' Local Development Plans can also require affordable homes on private developments, secured through a Section 76 planning agreement. Land to Homes can supply land, design and construction, or deliver completed homes for transfer to a registered housing association.
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.
| National planning policy | Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS, Edition 2), applied with retained Planning Policy Statements until each council adopts its Plan Strategy |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Land registration | Land & Property Services (Land Registry and Registry of Deeds) |
| 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. |
| Developer contributions | Section 76 planning agreements under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (there is no Community Infrastructure Levy) |
Questions about Affordable Housing in County Londonderry
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.
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.
Are there new homes available in County Londonderry now?
Not yet. Land to Homes has no homes available in County Londonderry at the moment. You can register your interest for County Londonderry, and we will contact you if we bring homes forward there or nearby.
Read more: Affordable Housing · Guide: Section 106 and affordable housing: what landowners should know