Finding a Home

Buying a Property

Properties are often expensive in and surrounding Oxford. There are many estate agents and local newspapers who publish property supplements which can usually be obtained free from estate agents. Some useful websites can be found below:

• Oxford Estate Agents
• Daily Info
• Gumtree Oxford

HomeBuy schemes (shared ownership and other low cost home ownership)

HomeBuy is a government funded programme for low cost home ownership and rental opportunities. There are a number of different scheme types that are offered under the HomeBuy initiative. Depending on your individual circumstances you may find that one or more of these are available to you.

• Shared Ownership - Shared Ownership is a part-buy/part-rent scheme. Eligible individuals are able to become home owners by buying a share of a newly built property (from as low as 25%) and pay a subsidised rent to a Housing Association on the portion they don't own.
• Equity Loans - Equity loan schemes offer low-interest loans to top up a mortgage. These schemes allow individuals and families to purchase a property that they would not normally be able to afford. The loans offered will have varying repayment requirements depending on the specific provider.
• FirstBuy - FirstBuy is an equity loan scheme which offers eligible individuals the opportunity to buy a new home in a specified new development with the assistance of a loan for up to 20% of the full purchase price of the property.
• Intermediate Rent - This option provides a short term tenancy at 80% of typical market rates. In most cases the initial rental period is for six months and the person's need for the property may be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
• Rent to Buy - Eligible individuals are able to rent a newly built home provided by a Housing Association at a rate that is normally 80% of the current market rate. The rent is payable for a predefined period after which there is an expectation that the tenant will purchase a share in the property through the Shared Ownership scheme. The rental period provides an opportunity to save for a deposit to put towards buying a share in their home.

If you are interested in these schemes and want to find out if you are eligible you should register with HomeBuy.

The HomeBuy agent for Oxfordshire is Catalyst Housing Group.

You will also need to register for HomeBuy schemes with Oxford City Council. For an application form please contact us using the contact details in the 'Contact Us' menu at the top of the page.

Renting in the Private Sector

Oxford has a very large number of private rented properties. Adverts are placed in the local papers and there are a number of property or lettings agents in the City.

Agents may charge a fee for their services and you normally have to pay a deposit before moving in. Most landlords let properties for 6 or 12 months at a time.

We may be able to offer assistance to help people secure accommodation.

Some useful websites can be found below:

• Oxford Estate Agents
• Daily Info
• Gumtree Oxford

The Lord Mayor's Deposit Guarantee Scheme

This scheme is for people on low income or benefits who are unable to raise a deposit to access accommodation in the private rented sector.

For more information see the Deposit Guarantee Scheme page.

Renting from the Council or Housing Associations

Oxford City Council and Housing Associations work together to provide affordable and secure accommodation. 

We operate the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing on behalf of this partnership. For more information visit the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing page.

All properties owned by the Council or the partner Housing Associations are let through this list but there are only a limited number of vacancies each year.

Currently there are seven times as many people on the list than properties that become available each year.

Flats and housing for older people are easier to obtain than family housing.

We operate a banding system and properties are let through our Choice Based Lettings scheme. For more information visit the Choice Based Lettings page.

If you are Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

The first thing to do is to get advice. A housing advisor in the Options team will be able to advice you on your options. Please visit us at St Aldate's Chambers or contact us using the contact details in the 'Contact Us' menu at the top of the page. You can also get advice on benefits you may be entitled to, or be referred to other agencies for assistance.

We provide housing advice and help to people who are homeless. This does not always mean accommodation will be provided. We will carry out careful enquiries into the circumstances of people who ask for help.

Useful websites

• Shelter
• Oxford Estate Agents
• Daily Info
• Gumtree Oxford

Leaflets

The following leaflets provide information for people looking for accommodation in Oxford and signpost organisations that may be able to help further:

• Housing options (PDF)
  
• Applying for housing (PDF)
  
• Wanting to move (PDF)
  
• Incentive scheme for under-occupying tenants (PDF)
  
• The Lord Mayor's deposit guarantee scheme (PDF)
  
• Home choice scheme (PDF)
  
• Domestic abuse (PDF)
  
• Move on scheme for single people (PDF)
  
• Review of homelessness decision (PDF)
  
• Help with furnishing (PDF)
  

Complaints

If for any reason you are not happy with the service provided and would like to make a complaint please see our Complaints page.

Page last reviewed 9 June 2011