Options available for finding a home
Finding a place to live in London is always going to be difficult, and there are no easy solutions. But we can help you access a range of different options that may meet your housing needs.
These pages are aimed at people looking for somewhere to live and describe the diverse types of accommodation available to you. Not all of these options are offered directly by Lambeth Housing, but together we can work out what is the best plan for you.
Housing associations and trusts are independent 'registered social landlords' not private landlords. They provide housing in a very similar way to the council and are non-profit making. Housing co-operatives are group of people who jointly own, manage and control their homes.
Due to the high demand for council and housing association properties in Lambeth some people may have no choice but to rent privately. While rents in Lambeth and across London tend to be quite high, the private sector allows you to choose from a range of accommodation types and locations. The private sector also allows you to search beyond London for cheaper accommodation that still remains within travelling distance of the capital.
Anyone who is over the age of 18, normally resident in the UK and not subject to immigration control can apply to the Lambeth Housing Register (subject to certain restrictions). Our housing allocation policy ensures that households with the greatest and most pressing need for housing will get housed first based on a points system.
The Lambeth Rent Deposit scheme helps to prevent homelessness among families with children and single vulnerable people by providing a viable alternative housing option in private sector accommodation. This is a referral-based service only, designed to broaden housing choices and increase options in the private rental sector.
The Homebuy scheme is run on behalf of Lambeth Council by Tower Homes. It enables you to apply for an equity-based loan to help you buy a home of your own on the open market. Subject to eligibility and the terms and conditions of the scheme, you may be able to borrow up to 25% of the property price, to a maximum of £50,000.
Shared Ownership allows you to buy a home jointly with a housing association. You pay a mortgage on the percentage you own, along with a subsidised rental payment to the housing association. As time goes by, you can buy a bigger share of the property until you own it outright.
Existing council tenants who have more bedrooms than they need, or who no longer require a wheelchair-adapted property may qualify for a financial incentive to move through our Transfer Incentive scheme. Tenants who qualify for the scheme are given high priority for a move within Lambeth and will receive either £1,000 for each bedroom they give up, or £1,000 for giving up a wheelchair-adapted property.
You can swap your home with another council or housing association tenant in Lambeth or anywhere else in the country, provided your landlord agrees. This is known as a mutual exchange. Both partners in the exchange will, however, need to obtain authorisation from their respective landlords for the exchange to go ahead.
If you are not eligible to be housed by the council but have nowhere else to stay, emergency accommodation provided by the voluntary sector may be your only option. Due to the high demand, accessing emergency accommodation can be difficult, so assistance from an advice centre or council is likely to improve your chances of finding a place to stay.
Keyworker housing is a government initiative which provides financial and housing assistance so that keyworkers can afford to live in London while providing essential public services. The government has made money available under its `Starter Home Initiative' to fund this initiative.
Supported housing is designed to assist people who need some form of help with their day-to-day lives that might otherwise prevent them managing their own tenancy. Supported housing can be provided by councils, housing associations, or voluntary organisations and is often targeted at specific groups of people who need a particular type of support.
Sheltered Housing is secure, self-contained accommodation on small purpose-built developments, designed and run for people over 55. All of our schemes have a Sheltered Housing officer based on-site offering advice and help on a range of matters that support independent living.