First Homes scheme

Buyer Eligibility

You must be:

• 18 or older
• Your annual income before tax must not exceed £80,000. This is based on your income from the previous tax year.
• You must be 18 or older.
• You must be a first-time buyer. If the property is being purchased jointly, all buyers must be first-time buyers.
• You must be able to obtain a mortgage (or home purchase plan) to fund at least 50% of the discounted purchase price.

If you're buying with others:

• You must all be first-time buyers.
• You must apply together, even if not all the applicants are getting a mortgage.
• Your joint income must not exceed £80,000 a year before tax.
• Your joint income is the total of what you all earned in the previous tax year.

Local connection criteria

You must also meet one of the following local connection criteria:

• Currently live in Kirklees as your primary residence, and have done so for the past 3 years.
• Previously lived in Kirklees as your primary residence for at least 5 years cumulatively in the past 10 years.
• Have close family ordinarily resident in Kirklees, and that close family has been ordinarily resident in the area for the past 3 years.
• Need to move to Kirklees to receive or provide care or support.
• Are employed full-time on a permanent basis for more than 16 hours per week in Kirklees, or are about to take up an offer of permanent full-time employment in Kirklees.
• Need to move to Kirklees to be close to local facilities because of a specific identified need.
• Have some other connection to Kirklees as approved by the Council in writing.

Buyers exempt from the Local connection criteria

Buyers are exempt from the local connection criteria requirement (but need to meet the other eligibility requirements) if they are:

• A member of the armed forces.
• The divorced or separated spouse or civil partner of a member of the armed forces.
• A widow or widower of a deceased member of the armed forces (if the death was caused wholly or partly by their service).
• A veteran who left the armed forces within the last 5 years.

How to find and apply for a First Home

First Homes can be found for sale advertised by developers on their websites, and also on property search sites. Property search sites may feature special search filters such as 'home buying scheme' or 'discounted scheme' that First Homes fall under.

If a developer (or estate agent, if you're buying from a previous First Homes buyer) is advertising First Homes for sale, contact them to tell them you want to buy the home. The developer or estate agent will help you to complete an application.

When your application is completed, it will be sent to the Council for approval. You may have to pay a reservation fee to a developer, if the First Home you want to buy is a new build. The amount is set by the developer. You'll get the fee back from the developer if your application is unsuccessful.

Further information

First Homes scheme: discounts for first-time buyers gives more information about the scheme and national guidance