Finding a Home

What are my Housing Options?

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.

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

A number of Housing Associations have developed schemes for people who can afford to buy part of a property, usually with a mortgage.

The Housing Association jointly owns the property and charges 'rent' on the part they own. This enables people who cannot afford to purchase the full cost of a home to take a step into home ownership.

HomeBuy is a government funded programme for low cost home ownership. If you are interested in these schemes you should register with HomeBuy.

The HomeBuy agent for Oxfordshire is Catalyst Housing Group.

You will need to register for HomeBuy schemes with Oxford City Council. For an application form please contact us using the contact details on the right of this page.

Renting in the Private Sector

Oxford has a very large amount 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.

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 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 on the right of this 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

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

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 8 Apr 2009

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