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New homes and housing · Greater London

Social Housing in Barnes

How are new social rent homes delivered in Barnes?

Social housing in Barnes is low-cost rented housing owned and let by councils and housing associations to households in housing need, with rents kept well below market levels. Land to Homes aims to plan and build social rent homes on the sites it brings forward, working with councils and housing associations. We do not allocate homes: allocations are made by councils and housing providers through their own lists.

New three-storey low-rise apartment block with balconies and a communal gardenBarnes · SW13

Register 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 Barnes

Barnes (SW13) is one of the Greater London towns we cover, about 6 miles south-west of London. Close by, our coverage also takes in Chiswick, Putney and Fulham. Barnes is in the London region of England.

Registrations for Barnes cover homes for shared ownership, two- and three-bedroom family homes and homes for affordable rent. Because Barnes is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

Registering for Barnes is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.

How we work in Barnes

Whole-site schemes

We can also discuss schemes built entirely for a council or housing association, on land we bring forward or land the landlord already owns.

Built to landlord standards

Social landlords have their own design and quality standards, and we design to them from the outset so homes are ready to transfer.

Nation-aware

Social housing law, regulation and funding differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we work within each system.

We do not allocate homes

Allocations are made by councils and housing providers through their own lists and policies. We cannot add anyone to a list or influence who is offered a home.

Planning in Barnes: the English rules

Affordable homes in Barnes are usually funded through a mix of Section 106 contributions from market schemes and grant from Homes England's Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026 to 2036, or from the Greater London Authority in London. Registered providers, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, own and manage most of them. Land to Homes can bring forward land and build homes for councils and housing associations, including homes for Social Rent.

In England, social rent homes are owned by councils and registered providers regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, with rents set under the Rent Standard. Councils allocate homes under their published allocation schemes, often through choice-based lettings. New social homes are usually secured through Section 106 agreements or funded with grant through Homes England, or the Greater London Authority in London.

Key rules in Barnes
Local planning documentLocal Plan
Who decides applicationsThe local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority)
How a sale becomes bindingA land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry.
Developer contributionsSection 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Social Housing in Barnes: questions

How are social rents set?

In England, social rents are set using a government formula under the Rent Standard, which the Regulator of Social Housing oversees. Wales has its own rent policy for social landlords, and in Scotland social landlords set rents in consultation with their tenants. Northern Ireland has its own arrangements. Social rents are generally well below private market levels.

Does building new social homes shorten waiting lists?

New social homes add to the supply that councils and housing associations can allocate, which helps, but waiting times depend on local demand, turnover of existing homes and allocation policies. We cannot say how any individual household would be affected. Your council's housing team can explain local waiting times and your position on the list.

What is the difference between social housing and affordable housing?

Social housing usually means low-cost rented homes let by councils and housing associations at social rents. Affordable housing is a wider term that also includes affordable rent, shared ownership, discounted sale and, in Scotland, mid-market rent. All social housing is affordable housing, but not all affordable housing is social housing.

What tenancy do social housing tenants get?

It depends on the nation and the landlord. Council and housing association tenants in England usually have secure or assured tenancies, Wales uses secure occupation contracts, Scotland uses the Scottish secure tenancy and Northern Ireland has its own secure tenancy arrangements. Some landlords start new tenants on an introductory or starter tenancy first.

Are there new homes available in Barnes now?

Not yet. Land to Homes has no homes available in Barnes at the moment. You can register your interest for Barnes, and we will contact you if we bring homes forward there or nearby.

Read more: Social Housing · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI

Own land that could take new homes?

Start with a free, no-obligation site appraisal. On option and promotion agreements we fund the planning work and pay your reasonable legal fees.

CallRegister interest