Rent to Buy
Available through participating providersRent at a reduced level while building your deposit. Understand the tenancy, savings plan and possible purchase routes before deciding whether a home fits.
England excluding London · see London Living Rent for London · Guidance checked 30 October 2026
- Reduced rent
Normally around 20% below market rent on an eligible home.
- Deposit building
Use the saving to work towards buying a home.
- Separate purchase
Buying still depends on your deposit, mortgage and the property's availability.
A tenancy with a saving goal
Rent to Buy offers eligible tenants a reduced rent, normally 20% below the market level, to help them save for a home deposit. It is available in England outside London through participating providers, with availability varying by area.
You rent the property under a tenancy agreement. The reduced rent creates room to save; rent payments do not themselves buy shares in the home. London has a separate route called London Living Rent. Read the official Rent to Buy overview.
Who might be eligible?
The GOV.UK criteria say applicants must be in full-time or part-time employment, be first-time buyers and be able to pay the rent while saving a deposit. People returning to home ownership after a relationship breakdown may also be eligible.
The landlord may check your income and credit history, and individual councils or housing associations may have additional requirements. Eligibility does not guarantee that a suitable home is available.
Ask the provider to confirm the property's criteria, the application process and what evidence they need. A later mortgage application will have its own assessment, so acceptance as a tenant should not be treated as mortgage approval. Check eligibility, tenancy and buying guidance.
Make the savings plan practical
Set a deposit target alongside an allowance for legal costs, mortgage fees and moving expenses. Work out how much you can put aside after the rent, bills, travel and existing commitments, then review the plan as your circumstances change.
The initial tenancy is for up to two years. A landlord may agree an extension if you need longer to save, but an extension is not automatic. Keep the tenancy terms and your intended buying date in view.
Read the proposed tenancy before signing. Confirm the actual rent, any separate charges, how changes are handled and what happens at the end. A clear monthly saving habit is more useful than assuming a reduced rent will produce the full deposit on its own.
- Compare the complete household budget with the rent and charges offered.
- Set a realistic monthly saving amount and keep money for purchase costs.
- Check what support or review the provider offers as you work towards buying.
Choose your eventual purchase route
The deposit you save can be used towards another home; it does not have to be the property you rent. You may be able to buy the rented property if your landlord agrees, including through Shared Ownership where the relevant conditions are met.
If the landlord decides to sell while you are a tenant, GOV.UK says they must give you the option of buying first. The price is the property's market value at the time, which can be higher or lower than when your tenancy began.
Before planning to buy the rented home, obtain the provider's position in writing. Review the price, deposit and mortgage options when you are ready, rather than assuming the original rent or an earlier property value fixes the purchase terms.
The next steps
Find a participating provider
Check local councils, housing associations and the official scheme service.
Agree a workable budget
Understand the tenancy and set a saving target alongside your normal costs.
Review the buying options
When your deposit is ready, assess the property and mortgage available at that time.
What to prepare
Tick the points you have covered before a conversation. These are preparation notes; ticking them does not confirm eligibility.
Your questions, answered
Does my rent automatically become a deposit?
No. You save the deposit separately, using the room the reduced rent creates in your budget.
Must I buy the home I rent?
No. Your savings can go towards another home. Buying the rented property depends on the landlord's agreement and the relevant purchase rules.
Is Rent to Buy available in London?
The GOV.UK Rent to Buy route excludes London. London Living Rent is the separate London scheme to explore.
Is my eventual mortgage guaranteed?
No. A lender will assess your circumstances, the property and its criteria when you apply.
Official guidance
Checked 30 October 2026. Availability, rules and lender criteria can change. Follow the official guidance and confirm the position before committing.
Other routes to consider
London Living Rent
A London rental route designed to help eligible households save towards Shared Ownership.
Explore the guide
Shared Ownership mortgages
Buy a share and pay rent on the rest. See how the full housing budget fits together.
Explore the guide
First Homes scheme
A discounted home for eligible first-time buyers, with conditions on who can buy and sell.
Explore the guideLet’s put your plans in context.
Tell me where you would like to buy, how far you have got and which route interests you. We can work through the questions and the next useful step.