Affordable Housing in Cardiff
Affordable housing in Cardiff 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.
Cardiff · CF5Register 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 Cardiff
Our South Glamorgan coverage is centred on Cardiff, postcode district CF5, and reaches 2 other places. Nearby, we also cover Penarth, Caerphilly and Barry, all within 7 miles.
Registrations for Cardiff cover two- and three-bedroom family homes, accessible and adaptable homes and homes for shared ownership. In Wales, where Cardiff sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the county or county borough council (or a national park authority).
Registering for Cardiff is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.
How we work in Cardiff
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.
Nation-aware delivery
Affordable housing works differently in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we follow the rules and funding routes of each.
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.
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.
How the rules work in Cardiff
In Wales, new affordable homes in Cardiff are mainly delivered by councils and registered social landlords, supported by Social Housing Grant, the Welsh Government's main capital programme for affordable housing. Section 106 agreements secure affordable homes on market schemes, in line with Local Development Plan policy. Registered social landlords are registered and regulated by the Welsh Ministers. Land to Homes can bring forward land and build homes with councils and housing associations.
In Wales, affordable homes are secured through Section 106 agreements under the council's Local Development Plan and are usually owned by councils or registered social landlords regulated by the Welsh Government. Homes funded by Social Housing Grant are usually built to the Welsh Development Quality Requirements. Tenures include social rent, intermediate rent and low-cost home ownership.
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
|---|---|
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land Transaction Tax (LTT) |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council has adopted it |
Your questions answered for Cardiff
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.
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 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 for new homes in Cardiff?
Yes. Registering for Cardiff is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Cardiff, we will contact you.
Read more: Affordable Housing · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI