Affordable Housing in Lerwick
Affordable housing in Lerwick 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.
Lerwick · ZE1Register 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 Lerwick
In Highlands & Islands, Lerwick lies about 215 miles north-east of Inverness; its central postcode district is ZE1. Nearby, we also cover Kirkwall, Thurso and Fraserburgh, all within 173 miles.
Registrations for Lerwick cover one- and two-bedroom apartments, homes for affordable rent and larger family homes. In Scotland, where Lerwick sits, planning decisions are made by the council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area).
Registering for Lerwick is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.
What you get in Lerwick
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.
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.
Designed to fit in
We design affordable homes to sit alongside homes for sale and spread them through a scheme, so the tenures are hard to tell apart.
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.
Planning and land rules in Lerwick
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 Lerwick 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.
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
|---|---|
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
| 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 |
Questions about Affordable Housing in Lerwick
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.
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.
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.
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.
Are there new homes available in Lerwick now?
Not yet. Land to Homes has no homes available in Lerwick at the moment. You can register your interest for Lerwick, and we will contact you if we bring homes forward there or nearby.
Read more: Affordable Housing · Guide: How affordable and social homes are delivered across the UK