| Affordable housing | The generic term used to describe the Government’s various schemes commonly aimed at helping first time buyers onto the housing ladder, either on a Shared Ownership or equity loan basis. |
| Intermediate rent | This option offers you the chance to rent a brand new or refurbished apartment at a subsidised rent. The rent charge is normally 20-30% lower than what you would expect to pay for a similar apartment in the same area. |
| Key Worker | The precise definition of Key Worker has changed over the years, but broadly speaking a Key Worker is someone employed in a key public sector role such as nurses, teachers and the police. |
| Part-buy, part-rent | A term often used to describe a Shared Ownership scheme. |
| Right to Buy/Acquire | A scheme whereby Social Housing tenants can buy the home they currently live in with a discount from the Council or Housing Association. |
| Registered Social Landlord (RSL) | Another term used to describe a Housing Association. |
| Shared Ownership | This is the part-buy, part-rent of a property on the basis of a Shared Ownership lease. |
| Social Housing | Rental housing (at a below market rent) provided by a Council or Housing Association to tenants who cannot afford to buy or rent in the open market. |
| Staircasing | The process of buying a further share, or the final share, of your Shared Ownership home. |
