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Orwell is always interested in developing further sites for affordable housing and has a good working relationship with Local Authorities. We will consider each site on its merits. Should you wish to discuss this further, then you can contact our New Business Manager on 01473 218818 or e-mail qwc@orwell-housing.co.uk.

Generally no. The Association may be interested in working with you if you have a number of properties to let, but not on an individual basis.

In normal circumstances, no. There may be exceptional circumstances where the Association will consider this, but it will only be when the Local Authority who are dealing with your re-housing requirements have specified that this is the case and grant funding maybe available.

Owners have a choice of how to sell their home;

1. You can sell your share by selling the lease that you have. Under the terms of your lease, Orwell can nominate a purchaser to whom you must sell at a value set by an independent valuer. The Association can make no claim on any profit you make when selling your share. You will receive any gain or increase in the market value of your share subject to deductions for any outstanding rents or service charge arrears. Remember too, that you are responsible for paying valuation fees and your own legal expenses.

2. The property can be sold in full. To do this, you would simultaneously buy the remaining share from the Association and sell the whole property to the new owner.

Some properties can only be sold on to a buyer with a local connection to the area that the property is in. This would be detailed in your lease.

If you are thinking of selling your property, contact your Housing Officer for advice.

You may not make any alterations or additions to the interior or exterior of your home without previous written consent of the Association. If you wish to make any changes, please speak to your housing officer.

Contents insurance is your responsibility. It is worth shopping around to ensure that you are getting the best deal.

The Association takes out building insurance for the structure of the property and may request a contribution towards this cost or any excess in the event of a claim.

All repairs and maintenance of the property are your responsibility.

The rent will increase on an annual basis on the 1st January, as it would if you were renting any other Orwell property. The rent that is charged covers the cost to the Association of borrowing the money to build the property and our management costs.

This depends on the share that you are wishing to buy, the interest rate you could borrow on a mortgage, and the value of the property in question.

As personal circumstances or finances change, you can buy further shares in your home at any time after the first year of your initial purchase. You may buy any size of the share remaining until you gain 100% ownership as long as it is in 25%, 50% or 75% portions. The price you pay depends on the value of your home at the time you wish to buy further shares. Remember that house prices can go up or down. This means that sometimes you may pay more for buying additional shares, or have to sell at a price less than you originally paid.

In some areas, especially rural locations, the maximum share you can purchase is restricted to 80%. This is to ensure that the homes remain available to local people. If this is the case, you will be advised before you purchase a share in your home.

The minimum share you can buy is 25%

If someone has a regular income, but cannot afford to buy a property on the open market outright, New Build HomeBuy enables you to gain a foothold on the home ownership 'ladder' at a cost usually less than outright purchase.

This is possible for two reasons:

a) The deposit required is less because the shared ownership purchase is obtaining a mortgage only on a portion of the property rather than on the whole of it

b) You will probably pay less each month in comparison with buying outright because the rent is calculated on a non-profit making basis.

Some tenants may be eligible for the Right to Acquire scheme. This gives tenants the legal right to buy the home they currently rent.

To qualify, the property you live in must have been built or purchased by Orwell Housing on or after 1st April 1997 and must have been funded using Social Housing Grant provided by the Homes & Communities Agency or a local authority.

As well as occupying a qualifying property, you must also have been a public sector tenant for a certain time depending on when your first tenancy commenced. You will not be eligible if you are bankrupt or have a bankrupt petition pending against you, are the subject of a possession order served by the court or subject to a formal creditors agreement made under the Insolvency Act.

The discounts you would receive are fixed by the Government and the amount you receive will depend on where you live. The discounts currently range from £9,000 to £16,000.

For more information regarding the Right to Acquire, contact your Housing Officer, or call the Homes & Communities Agency on 0300 1234 500