Social Housing in Smethwick
If you need a social rent home in Smethwick, apply to the council's housing register or to housing associations working in the area, not to a developer. They assess need and decide who is offered each home. Land to Homes builds new social homes for those landlords to own and manage, which adds to the supply they can allocate.
Smethwick · B66Register 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 Smethwick
Smethwick (B66) is one of the West Midlands towns we cover, about 3 miles west of Birmingham. West Bromwich is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 2 miles, followed by Birmingham and Halesowen. Smethwick is part of England’s West Midlands region. Smethwick is about 5 miles from our Great Barr head office in Birmingham.
People registering interest around Smethwick can tell us whether they want accessible and adaptable homes, one- and two-bedroom apartments or two- and three-bedroom family homes. In England, where Smethwick sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
Registering for Smethwick is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.
Why work with Land to Homes in Smethwick
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.
Homes for social landlords
We plan and build social rent homes for councils and housing associations to own, manage and let to households from their lists.
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.
Planning and land rules in Smethwick
Councils and housing associations around Smethwick can bid for grant through Homes England's Social and Affordable Homes Programme, which funds Social Rent, Affordable Rent at up to 80% of market rent, and shared ownership. Landlords of the rented homes must be registered with the Regulator of Social Housing. National policy also expects local plans to set a minimum Social Rent proportion for major development. Land to Homes is ready to discuss sites, partnership and delivery.
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.
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
|---|---|
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Common questions in Smethwick
Can I apply to Land to Homes for a social rent home?
No. Land to Homes does not allocate social housing or keep a housing list. Social homes are allocated by councils and housing associations through their own lists and policies. To apply, contact your council's housing team or local housing associations. In Northern Ireland, apply through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which manages the common waiting list.
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.
Can social housing be built on land I own?
Yes. Land can be sold to a developer who includes social homes in the scheme, or offered for a scheme built entirely for a council or housing association. Planning policy often requires affordable homes on larger sites anyway. Our free site appraisal looks at whether your land suits new homes and which route makes sense.
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.
Are there new homes available in Smethwick now?
Not yet. Land to Homes has no homes available in Smethwick at the moment. You can register your interest for Smethwick, and we will contact you if we bring homes forward there or nearby.
Read more: Social Housing · Guide: How affordable and social homes are delivered across the UK