Ownership Options

Ownership Options is a small charity that works across the whole of Scotland, providing advice and information about homebuying for disabled people and their families or carers. Ownership Options co-ordinates individual homebuying projects as well as lobbying to remove financial, legal and practical barriers to ownership. It also provides training and consultancy for the public and private sectors. More information about Ownership Options can be found on the Ownership Options website.

Some examples of the client groups that Ownership Options deal with are as follows:

• People in receipt of either Income Support, Pension Credit (guarantee element) or income-based Jobseekers Allowance who would like to own their own home.
• People who already own their home but find that it does not suit their health needs.
• People who have some savings (at least £1500) and would like to own their own home.
• People who have relatives that can assist them to buy.
• People who have relatives or friends who would be willing to buy a suitable property and rent it to them (this includes the option to receive Housing Benefit as rent).
• Those looking to/or willing to consider renting from a private landlord.
• People who have a trust fund that they would like to put towards buying their home.
• People in receipt of Income Support, Pensions Credit, (guarantee element) or income-based Jobseekers Allowance who would like to exercise their Right to Buy.

The Process

Making Contact

On making contact, you will be given some information about Ownership Options and given a list of questions to find out if you would fit their criteria. These questions are as follows:

1. Are you or a member of your household disabled?
2. Are you looking to move within the next 12 months, or struggling to adapt a property for yourself or a relative?
3. Does your present home fail to meet your needs?
4. Does an Occupational therapist, Social Worker or GP support your need to move or adapt?
5. If you're looking to move, do you have some savings or equity (i.e. money invested in a property) of at least £1500?
6. Do you receive either Income Support, or Income based Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)?

OR

    Do you have earned income or non-earned income (eg State Pension) that could be used to pay towards a mortgage?

    7.    Do you have less that £2000 in outstanding debts (excluding mortgage)?

If you meet the criteria set out above then you will be invited to register with Ownership Options.

Registration

At registration stage you are entering into an agreement with Ownership Options that you will provide all relevant documentation to enable the staff to provide you with accurate advice and information.

Ownership Options is involved in cases to assist you. Even when you are registered you are completely in control of your house seeking 'project'. You are expected to carry out all of the usual tasks involved in moving house such as (where applicable):

• Finding and visiting an Independent Financial Adviser for assistance in finding a suitable mortgage.
• Employing the services of a solicitor
• Finding the property that suits you
• Selling your current home or terminating any lease agreement.