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General Questions
Here are some general frequently asked questions.
 | How do we manage to sell at these prices.... wheres the catch?
There is no catch! First Step Homes (SW) Ltd are able to offer heavy discounts on homes as they are built on land that would not normally be given planning consent for development, therefore significantly reducing the cost of the houses.
| | Are there any conditions in the title deeds?
To ensure that the Houses remain available to qualifying local people as discounted housing, there are strict conditions in the title documents and planning conditions that control sale prices and who can purchase. There are also some conditions which are intended to protect the integrity of the development and ensure that homeowners can enjoy a good quality of life. |
| If you are over-subscribed how do you allocate the houses?
To be granted planning consent, we must prove a robust evidence of Local Need for affordable housing and we do this by advertising in the local press and through local estate agents. The details of people who express an interest are kept on a database in date order and the opportunity to buy is offered on a first come first served basis.
We believe that this is a fairer way of allocating the homes than using a qualification or points system as applied by housing associations.
| | | Are you a housing association?
No. First Step Homes is a private company dedicated to the provision of housing for local people which is affordable to first time buyers. | | | Am I tied in for a period of time, or can I sell whenever I choose?
There are no restrictions on how long you must own your property before selling. | | | Do I have to sell the house through First Step Homes when I want to move on?
No, you can sell your property through your chosen Estate Agent as you would with any open market property.
However, any future purchaser would have to go through the same qualifying process that you went through when you bought the house. | | | I already own a house; can I rent it out and buy one of these houses?
No, our homes are aimed primarily at First Time Buyers. A condition of the purchase is that you do not own another property and this will be researched by the Local Authority.
However there may be exceptional circumstances, for example if you jointly own a home lived in by parents / relatives but it is insufficient to be used as your own home, the Local Authority may allow you to proceed with the purchase. | | | Can I extend my property at a future date?
You must ask the permission of First Step Homes to carry out any structural alterations / additional building works, but consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
The required consents must also be obtained from the Local Authority to carry out additional works, together with Building Regulations where applicable. | | | Can I rent the second bedroom out?
Yes. The only restriction in the sales documentation is that the property cannot wholly be let without the permission of First Step Homes. | | | Can I have a pet?
You must ask permission of First Step Homes, which will not unreasonably be withheld. However, pet owners must ensure that their pets are not a nuisance to other homeowners. |
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