Buying your housing association home is similar to buying any other home. You will usually need to get a mortgage and contact a solicitor. However, when buying your home you must also complete your housing association's application procedure.

The House Sales Scheme for housing associations is similar to the scheme operated by the Housing Executive.  However, each housing association has a different application procedure. Contact your housing association for detailed information on their house purchase procedure.

To qualify for the scheme you must have been a secure social tenant for at least 5 years.  Periods spent as a tenant of the Housing Executive or another housing association will count towards this.

In certain circumstances you may not be eligible to purchase their housing association home.  If your housing association has started eviction proceedings against you or is considering beginning court action to recover possession of your home you may not be eligible.   In addition, some properties are not eligible for the house sales scheme, including some single storey and ground floor dwellings.

You can get advice from Housing Rights Service or a local advice agency if you are having problems buying your home.