London Home Show Sponsors: Meet L&Q
Homeownership options explained
For those looking to step onto the property ladder or seeking ways to make a move more affordable, leading developer L&Q will be at the London Home Show this autumn. The housing association will be showcasing its latest developments across the country, while providing information on a range of affordable home ownership routes.
From government-backed schemes to low-deposit mortgages and reduced-rate initiatives, there are plenty of alternatives to traditional homebuying designed to make owning a home more achievable – especially for those working with a smaller deposit or budget.
Shared Ownership
Shared Ownership is a government-backed scheme helping eligible buyers take their first step onto the property ladder. The scheme allows buyers to purchase a share in a property (usually between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the remaining portion. As deposits are only required for the purchased share, upfront costs can be lower compared to when buying on the open market. Over time, buyers can increase their shares in a property, eventually owning their home outright, through the process of staircasing.
L&Q offers a wide range of Shared Ownership homes, from one bedroom Shared Ownership apartments in North London, through to three bedroom family homes in Lancashire. An in-depth look at Shared Ownership eligibility criteria can be found via lqhomes.com/shared-ownership/.
Own New Rate Reducer
The Own New Rate Reducer scheme supports the purchase of new-build homes by offering access to lower interest rate mortgages for a fixed period, resulting in lower monthly payments. The scheme is available to both first time buyers and home movers. Customers will have a regular mortgage, just with lower monthly payments for a fixed two or five-year period, thanks to a contribution of 5% directly from the developer or housing association (like L&Q) to a lender. There’s the option to pay down more capital because of the lower rate, too.
The Own New Rate Reducer is available on range of L&Q’s homes, from Prime Point in Southeast London to Beauchamp Park in Warwick.
Deposit Unlock
With the Deposit Unlock scheme, buyers can secure a new-build home with just a 5% deposit. This initiative is available across some new-build properties in the UK, including selected one and two bedroom apartments at L&Q’s Erith development, The Quarry – a joint venture with Anderson. There’s no upper limit on household income, and buyers don’t have to be purchasing their first home to apply.
Homes for Market Sale (100% Ownership)
L&Q also offers homes for traditional market sale. As L&Q’s market sale homes are new-builds, they benefit from an energy-efficient design alongside modern features, and provide customers with a blank canvas, so they can really make their new home their own.
L&Q has a range of market sale homes available, including a recently launched collection of studio to three bedroom apartments at Rockcliffe Square, Woolwich.
Pre-owned Shared Ownership homes
For those eligible for Shared Ownership, L&Q also offers resale homes. Resale properties are pre-owned Shared Ownership homes that the current owner now wishes to sell. Buyers will purchase either the percentage that the current owner has purchased, or more if financially feasible (up to a maximum of 75%). These kinds of homes are available to any eligible applicant, even if they are from outside the area (something not always available with brand-new Shared Ownership homes).
Just like with the new-build Shared Ownership model, customers have the option to buy more shares in their home in the future. L&Q’s resale properties can be anything from houses to apartments and are located across the country. Visit lqhomes.com/properties-for-resale to find out more.
Renting with L&Q
For those not quite ready to step onto the ladder, L&Q has a range of London Living Rent, Rent to Buy and Intermediate Market Rent homes available. L&Q’s rental homes range from studio apartments to four bedroom houses.
People who want to save for a deposit whilst renting in the capital could be eligible for London Living Rent (LLR). LLR offers homes to rent at a lower cost than the average market rate, helping customers save for a deposit to buy a home in the future.
All properties on the LLR scheme guarantee tenants of an assured shorthold tenancy of a minimum of three years and a maximum of 10. L&Q’s LLR homes span the capital, from Barking to Brent. Properties outside of London are covered by a separate scheme called Rent to Buy.
L&Q also has a range of Intermediate Market Rent homes available across London, Cambridge, Chelmsford and Colchester – an affordable rental scheme with rents set at 20% less compared to similar private rentals in the area.
L&Q will be exhibiting at the London Home Show 2025 – join them at stand 8 to discuss your homeownership options. To find out more about L&Q’s homes, visit lqhomes.com.
Attend the London Home Show
Tickets for the London Home Show are free, but visitors must register in advance to attend. For more information, or to reserve your place at the capital’s no.1 first time buyer event, please visit the event page.
Share to Buy lists thousands of affordable properties across the country, including those available through Shared Ownership, Rent to Buy, and Discount Market Sale. Learn more about the different buying and rental schemes available today.
