Letting a First Home

First Homes must not be used as a revenue or capital investment opportunity. The scheme is tailored towards first time buyers and must be the owners main and only residence.

The First Home scheme does, however, allow owners to let out their property for up to 2 years. This is to offer owners the flexibility to respond to changes in their circumstances, such as unexpected life events.

Owners must notify the Council if they intend to let their property in writing. The Council keeps a register of First Home properties that are being let by their owners. This is to monitor the letting periods so that we can inform owners if they are approaching the end of their aggregate two-year allowance.

Letting for more than 2 years

Owners can also let their property for more than 2 years in exceptional circumstances, but only with our permission to do so. All cases to let for longer than 2 years will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. We will not unreasonably withhold our consent, but requests must be reasonable and justified. Examples of circumstances includes:

  • The buyer is required by their employment to live elsewhere for a short period of time.
  • The buyer is an active member of the British Armed Forces and is deployed elsewhere.
  • The buyer has to live elsewhere to offer care and assistance to a family member.

Owners must complete a First Homes Lettings Request Form if they wish to let for longer than 2 years. This must be submitted to communityhousing@dover.gov.uk. We aim to respond to requests within 5 working days from the date the request form is submitted. Owners must not proceed to let their property without our permission to do so.

Considerations

In all cases, the owner will still be subject to the terms of their mortgage since some mortgages may prohibit owners from letting their property. Therefore, it is the owner’s responsibility to obtain permission from their mortgage lender to let out their property.

An owner who lets their property will become a landlord, and therefore, will need to adhere to all relevant landlord and tenant legislation requirements.

Owners who fail to comply with the letting restrictions and all other restrictions may face enforcement action, from the Council, their mortgage lender, or both. This may result in the owner losing their property.

Last updated 17 May 2024