How to buy your social housing rental home

Applying to buy a Homes NSW-owned social house

You can apply to buy the Homes NSW-owned social house that you are living in if you are the head tenant (ie you signed the tenancy agreement).

You can apply to buy the house with another person if you are the head tenant. An authorised household member(s), relative or friend can also buy the social house you are living in with you, as a co-applicant.

Where there is more than 1 purchaser, you will not be able to sell the property for 3 years following the date of settlement.

If you owe or are owed rent

If you owe any rent, you will need to pay it before you can apply to buy a Homes NSW-owned property. If your account shows you have paid more rent than was due at the date of settlement, it will be paid back to you.

What a Homes NSW-owned social house costs to buy

Homes NSW sells its social houses at ‘market value’. It can consider any improvements that you have paid for and that were pre-approved by Homes NSW, in calculating the final sale price.

To find out how much the social house you are living in might cost to buy, you need to do your own research before you apply.
You can look at recent sale prices for houses in your area which have the same number of bedrooms on the internet. You can also ask local real estate agents.

If the sale is approved, Homes NSW will arrange an independent market valuation.

Protect your legal rights by using a conveyancer or solicitor

We strongly recommend that you use a solicitor or conveyancer to help protect your legal rights. Although you can buy a social house without using a solicitor or conveyancer, you will still need a conveyancer, solicitor or a settlement agent to handle the electronic settlement.

How Homes NSW calculates the sale price

If the sale is approved, Homes NSW will arrange an independent market valuation.

Any improvements that you have paid for and that were pre-approved by Homes NSW, will be taken into account in calculating the final sale price.

When Homes NSW might decide not to sell a social house

Sometimes Homes NSW will not agree to sell a social house, for example if it will be needed for social housing in the future or if it might be able to be redeveloped into new social housing.

If Homes NSW identifies the social house as ‘not for sale’, then Homes NSW will refund the $220 (GST inclusive) valuation fee.

Paying the application fee

Note: credit card payments are not accepted.

Cheque

Only bank cheques are accepted. Personal cheques are not accepted.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

You can pay via EFT using the following details:

Account name: NSW Land and Housing Corporation
Account Number: 170622
BSB: 032 001

Refund of application fee

Homes NSW will refund your application fee if the sale is not approved.

If the sale is approved and the social house is offered to you at the price based on the independent market valuation and you change your mind or are not able to proceed with the purchase, you will not get a refund.

Who to contact with questions about the application process

You can ask questions via our Contact form.

Requesting a review of a Homes NSW decision

You can request a review within 4 weeks of being notified of the decision if:

• your application was declined previously because you didn’t demonstrate you had enough funds to buy the social house, and now you do, OR
• you believe you have been treated unfairly and you provide reasons why.

You can’t request a review of Homes NSW’s decision to not sell a house to you where the house is required for Homes NSW’s future use for others who need social housing.

Settlement and stamp duty

Negotiating the settlement period

We are open to negotiating the settlement period.

Stamp duty

If you are a social housing tenant, you won’t have to pay stamp duty if you hold at least a 25% share in the house when you buy it. Your solicitor or conveyancer will help you apply for the stamp duty exemption.
 

Exemption from paying Transfer Duty

Social housing tenants may be exempt from paying the NSW Government Transfer Duty (previously called ‘Stamp Duty’) when purchasing a social house or a house in the private sector. For more information, call Revenue NSW on 1300 139 814.

Help and support

Buying residential property in NSW

What's involved in buying a property in NSW, including costs, finance options, ways to buy, what to look out for, and financial assistance for first home buyers.

First Home Loan Deposit Scheme

This scheme supports eligible first home buyers by reducing the deposit needed to take out a loan.

For more information visit National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation.

Family Home Guarantee

Single parents may be eligible to get a home loan with a lower deposit.

For more information visit National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation.

Money Smart

The Moneysmart website has useful information about what to consider and what to do when buying a home.

For more information visit moneysmart.gov.au.

Supports available for Aboriginal home buyers

As an Aboriginal tenant looking to buy your social home, you may have some home purchase supports you can access.

Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) home ownership grants

If you are an Aboriginal person looking to own your own home, there are 3 AHO grants that you might be eligible for. These grants allow eligible Aboriginal people to apply for a one-off financial boost to help make home ownership more achievable.

Get more information about the AHO's home ownership grants.

You can also get in touch with the AHO by phoning (02) 8836 9431 or emailing homeownership@aho.nsw.gov.au.

Indigenous Business Australia loan

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) offers housing loans to Aboriginal people. AHO tenants can contact an IBA specialist.

Phone: 02 6932 3335

Email: homeswaggawagga@iba.gov.au