Q: Hi there,

Im hope someone who knows a bit more about this than I can help. I work for the NHS (Ambulance Dispatcher) and was recently told by the Homebuy website. I am interested in the updated hires, because I do not have to buy the required ￡ 3500 (I do not think I could get a mortgage to be honest!). What I can not figure out is if I would qualify for the scheme. It says all clinical NHS staff except doctors and dentists are eligible for the scheme, but how do I know what they regarded as clinically? A colleague with a similar feature mine has requested and she thinks we need to be considered, but Im not convinced.

Ive tried in contact with my local Homebuy and key worker HA but so far have had no response.

In respect to housing, what is the best route to fit them? Should I go by the board, or should I them individually?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

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A:Thank you everyone! No, I'm not in London, to those who asked. I am in Essex and work for the East of England Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD). I wasn't entirely sure if my job would be considered clinical like a paramedic would be, for example, but if a Porter can get on the scheme, I can't see why I shouldn't! Thanks again!

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A:Yes you should be eligible for this working for the NHS.

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A:I recently finished renting a key worker property and as far as I can tell all NHS staff were eligible, an NHS porter was one of my neighbours.

That may be because there are so many shared ownership schemes in Milton Keynes, and so many new builds that the take up isn't very good.

I would suggest applying to each housing association as the zone agent told me the details would be passed on between housing associations, but they weren't.

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A:I would think you are covered. I know there are a few of the counties in the East of England where key workers are only considered based on the recruitment of that job in the area.
Im a Prison Officer and applied for a key worker scheme, was told no go because my establishment had no recruitment issues. Yet another Prison 10 miles down the road are able to get on the scheme.

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A:Like I said the homebuy doenst just cover key workers although there is conditions in which you need to qualify for

http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162819

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A:the key question here is is your role counted as is it NHS clinical staff.

My feeling is probably yes it is.

You are certainly not admin, nor one of the paper pushers, and your decision making is based on clinical need. I know ambulance DRIVERS are included.

Speak with housing options

Are you in london malteser?

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A:phone your local council and ask them, or ask the nhs, i know my housing nottonghill housing trust based in hammersmith do some key worker housing. ima currently on there rent plus scheme. i agree to do minor repairs, i pay extra £45 a month, i f i dont call out repairs i get a bonus of £300 after a year. i can take this or save it for deposit for part rent , part buy

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A:I was accepted for the homebuy scheme last year but narrowly missed out back in April when money was available. I then waited until October when it was relaunched but it has changed now. Basically you approache a housing association in you area that runs it, in my case Joseph Rowntree. if you meet the criteria, ie key worker, low income, and on the housing waiting list you may be considered. Once accepted you apply for a mortgage up to 75% of the value of the property through the normal way. The house must meet your needs no large mansion for 2 people etc, doesn't need anything like a major overhaul you can then approach a BS/bank that the housing association recommends only, 5 I think run this scsheme.

You get a mortgage of 75%, the government then give you 12.5% (paid back once you sell, so its 12.5% the value of the house so if it increases they get more back) the other 12.5% is through a BS/bank (only it has to be on on the scheme) you get the loan for 5 years interest free then pay interest on that. You can only pay that 12.5% in one lot not in dribs and drabs

I original was accepted but turned it down 2 weeks ago as I managed to borrow the amount I wanted. I could only go with one provider as I had too much equity from our first house

I missed out early this year because I had to get 3 free valuations of my house which most EA wont do in writing, and prove I could pay the mortgage.

Only final note if say you build a large conservatory at a later stage that would increase the value of the property, they disallow that on the valuation when you sell.

You may be excempt from stamp duty as the IR will take into account the ful share of the property you will be borrowing on and not the 100%, ist called stair casing. Should you then decide to pay the 25% off then they will be a charge and then have to incur stamp duty.

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A:Hi Madmalteaser,

I don't know whereabouts you live, but have a look at http://www.housingoptions.co.uk/ho2/ho2/eligible.asp#2

This website brings together several different HAs across London, so reading their guidelines should give you an idea of the general eligibility criteria – which I imagine is similar to other areas of the country.

Plus, if you actually are in London, it is definitely worth signing up formally to Housing Options (easily done online) – I'm moving into my new (non-keyworker) SO flat next week through the site…

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