NINETEEN families will soon receive keys to their brand new affordable homes at Batheway Fields in North Tawton.

The affordable housing units were unveiled on November 1, at a launch event by Tamar Housing to celebrate its joint partnership scheme with Rentplus. The 19 housing units are made up of 11 Rentplus homes, as well as eight affordable rent homes.

All of the homes have been allocated to local people, in line with the local connection criteria in the planning agreement for the scheme agreed with West Devon Borough Council. Priority was given to those with a local connection to the town of North Tawton, before those with a local connection to the district of West Devon.

The properties will be managed by Tamar Housing and are made up of two, three and four bedroom homes, as well as one bedroom apartments.

Cllr Jeffrey Moody, Mayor of West Devon said: ‘It is a well-designed scheme with lots of space. The quality of the finish is outstanding. I am very impressed, when can I move in?’

Rentplus properties are managed by local housing associations, such as Tamar Housing, through 20-year full repairing leases. The properties are allocated to local working people and families in housing need who aspire to buy their own home but are unable to do so, usually because they don’t have a deposit.

This can include households on council housing lists, those registered with choice based lettings and help to buy agents, or people in private rented accommodation.

Tenants of Rentplus homes have a five-year renewable assured shorthold tenancy agreement, at an affordable rent that includes service charges and no maintenance responsibilities. This will give them the opportunity to save for a deposit and build a creditworthy record, which will help them to secure a mortgage in the future.

The occupiers have the opportunity to buy their property at either five, ten, 15 or 20 years. If they choose to buy, they will receive a gifted deposit of 10% of the property’s market value.

Richard Connolly, CEO of Rentplus said: ‘It was fantastic to attend the Tamar Housing launch of our new Rentplus homes at Batheway Fields in North Tawton. This is our latest Rentplus and Tamar Housing joint partnership scheme and our first in West Devon, forming part of the larger Wainhomes mixed tenure development.

‘It was great to join mayor Jeffrey Moody and leader of West Devon Borough Council and Tamar Housing Board member Philip Sanders, along with members of the town and district councils and their officers.’

Julie Barnett, CEO of Tamar Housing said: ‘I am so pleased that we have been able to provide so many households with more affordable housing options in their local area.

‘Tamar Housing are proud to be able to support people taking the first step towards home ownership as well as providing traditional affordable rented homes. We look forward to helping more households across the South West through the development of a range of housing tenancies.’

Batheway Fields is a development of 61 new homes built by Wainhomes on previously agricultural farming land. Four of the Rentplus homes are already occupied, following their completion in September 2017.