Got questions? We’ve got answers.

Rent-to-own is a way to move into your future home now while working towards buying it later. You rent the property for a set number of years, with the option to buy it at a pre-agreed price at the end of the term. Each month, you pay a fixed rent plus a top-up that helps you build a deposit. It’s a flexible alternative to a traditional mortgage – especially if you need time to save, repair credit, or build your income history.

How do I know rent-to-own really works?

Rent-to-own isn’t new. In the US, it’s been a recognised path to homeownership for decades, helping millions of families to buy their homes. And it’s widely trusted: nearly 8 in 10 people say they would consider using it themselves (as reported in Motley Fool Money ). BeHomed is now bringing that same proven approach to the UK.

About BeHomed

BeHomed was launched in 2024 as a new branch of Sheila Smith’s established property business, built on years of hands-on experience with buy-to-let properties. The brand may be new, but the model is proven – giving you a secure, straightforward path to homeownership.

Who is rent-to-own for?

Rent-to-own is open to everyone, but it’s particularly helpful if you are struggling to save for a deposit, have poor credit, are self-employed or are new to the country. It's a way to rent a home while also saving up to buy it later. Even if you've had credit issues in the past, rent-to-own might still be an option for you.

Who is rent-to-own not suitable for?

Rent-to-own might not be right if you won’t be able to afford future mortgage payments, your job situation is uncertain, you receive housing benefits or you're bankrupt. Fill out our 5-minute, no obligation application form and we'll let you know if you're eligible.

If you're unsure, talk to us.

What level of income is required to qualify for the scheme?

While there are no strict criteria, applicants must show they can comfortably afford the monthly payments. We’ll ask for a few key income details so we can get a sense of what monthly payment is realistic for your household.

What information do I need to provide?

Our initial application form is quick and simple – it takes about 5 minutes and asks for basic details about your household, income, and what you’re looking for. It helps us see whether rent-to-own could be a good fit for you.

If you move forward after that, we’ll ask for supporting documents to confirm your situation.

These may include:

• Your household income
• Payslips to verify employment
• Split of income if applying with a partner
• Number of dependants in your household
• Permission to access your credit score
• Bank statements and monthly spending
• Landlord references, if applicable

We’ll walk you through exactly what’s needed at each step – and we’re happy to help if anything’s unclear.

We secure a home for you to rent now and buy later, locking in the future purchase price from the very beginning. This means you can move in straight away while working towards homeownership over time.

We set the future purchase price in advance using a modest uplift – lower than the UK's long-term average house price growth of around 4% a year. This gives you a clear target and protects you if the market rises sharply, while staying fair for the seller. If the property rises in value beyond the agreed price, that extra equity is yours. If it rises less, we may be able to extend the term. Either way, you have the right – but not the obligation – to buy.

To keep things simple, we agree that future price upfront – so you’ll always know what you’re working towards. If the property increases in value beyond that, the extra equity is yours to keep. If it hasn’t appreciated that much, we may be able to extend the rental term. Either way, you have the right – but not the obligation – to buy the property.

What are the steps I need to go through?

• Step 1: Apply for free in just 5 minutes — A quick, no-obligation pre-qualification that won’t affect your credit score.
• Step 2: Find your dream home — If approved, we’ll confirm your home shopping budget. Then we’ll work with you to find your perfect home.
• Step 3: Lock it in — Your rent and purchase price are fixed from the start and set out in legal documents, so everything is clear and legally protected.
• Step 4: Move in now and live like a homeowner — Decorate, remodel, bring your pets – it’s your home from day one.
• Step 5: Build your stake as you go — A portion of your monthly payment goes toward your future home purchase, helping you get closer to buying your home.
• Step 6: Buy your home — At the end of the rental term, buy your home at the pre–agreed price or walk away with your savings (minus a relisting fee) if your plans change.

Can I choose the house?

Yes, we will work with you to find your perfect home from available properties that are within your budget.

There's a total fee of £1,499, paid in three stages – a £99 admin fee on acceptance, a £500 sourcing fee when we begin your property search, and a £900 contracts fee when you approve a property. All fees are non- refundable. Before moving in, you'll also make an initial purchase contribution of 2–5% of the agreed property price, which goes toward your future purchase.

Each month, you’ll pay a fixed rent, plus a top-up amount. The rent covers your stay in the home, while the top-up helps you build a deposit to buy it in the future. This top-up is credited toward your down payment when you’re ready to buy.

Over time, your contributions typically amount to around 10% of the purchase price – though depending on your income and borrowing limits, you may need more. If the home you want is outside your range, we’ll talk you through your options and help you explore what’s realistic – so you can move forward with confidence.

If we believe you might already be in a strong position to get a mortgage now, we can introduce you to one of our trusted brokers for advice.

When the time comes to buy, you’ll also need to cover standard purchase costs – including legal fees, mortgage broker fees, and stamp duty if the property is over £250,000 (or £425,000 if you qualify for first–time buyer relief).

Will prices change?

Nope! Your rent, top-up amount and the future purchase price are all locked in from the start, so you know what to expect. No surprises here!

We know that sometimes plans change – and if that happens, we’ll do our best to help you find the right solution. Our goal is always to support you in owning your own home, but if that's no longer the right path, the contributions you've made are returnable, subject to the relisting fee.

If your plans change at the end of the rental term, you can walk away and the purchase contributions you've made will be returned to you – minus a 2% relisting fee based on the agreed purchase price of the property. This helps cover the cost of preparing the home, legal and admin work, and finding a new buyer.

Just a heads-up: if you break the terms of your tenancy, we may need to end the agreement early – and you could lose the right to buy the home.

If anything’s unclear, just ask – we’re here to help. And if you’re still not sure rent-to-own is the right fit, it’s a good idea to get some independent financial advice before applying.

What rental contract will I have during the rental period?

You'll sign a standard rental agreement for the rental period.. Your monthly rent will be fixed for the full term, so you can manage your budget with confidence knowing there won’t be any increases. You’ll also have the peace of mind that, as long as you keep to the terms of the tenancy, you have the right to stay in the property for the agreed rental period.

Do I own the property?

During the rental term, you are a tenant and do not possess any ownership rights to the property. However, at the end of this period, you have the option – but not the obligation – to buy the property.

Am I allowed to make changes to the property?

We want you to feel at home, so feel free to paint the walls, change the carpet and put up your favourite pictures! If you want to remodel (new kitchen, bathroom, an extension), you will need to get written permission from us before you proceed. Renovation projects can present challenges and may not always proceed as expected, but we aim to accommodate your plans where possible.

Who is responsible for any repairs?

As it’s your home, we expect you to look after the property and keep it in a good state of repair, including day-to-day maintenance and repairs. Prior to buying any property, we will commission a full survey to identify issues that may arise during the rental period. If significant issues are discovered, we wouldn’t acquire the property. Additionally, we will have buildings insurance which would cover any major issues that may arise.

Can I have a pet in the property?

Yes, pets are welcome!

Will I own the house?

Eventually, yes! After the agreed time, you'll have the option to buy the house at the price agreed upon when you signed up. The contributions you've made go toward the purchase price of thehome. When you're ready to buy, we'll connect you with our trusted mortgage brokers to help you find the right mortgage for you.

How do I know you’ll sell the house to me?

When you move into the property you will sign an Option Agreement – a simple legal document that gives you the right to buy the property, but not the obligation to, should your plans change.

How long will it take to buy the house?

Typically, it takes around 2–7 years, depending on your needs and situation.

What if I don’t want to buy the house after the rental term ends?

The Option Agreement gives you the legal right to buy the property, but not the obligation to, should your plans change.

How is rent-to-own different from shared ownership schemes?

When you buy a home through shared ownership, you buy a share which will be between 10% and 75% of the full market value of the property (this can be with a mortgage). You then pay rent to the landlord for the share they own. Usually, you also pay monthly ground rent and service charges for the maintenance of communal areas.

The difficulty with this scheme is that, since the property value is always increasing, so will your rental payments on the part you don’t own. This means it can quickly become unaffordable for you to buy another share and ever own 100% of the property. With shared ownership, it can also be very difficult to sell, as there are few people who want to buy into the scheme. You are also limited to new-build homes or existing homes through a shared ownership resale scheme.

The BeHomed difference

With BeHomed’s rent-to-own scheme, we’ll work with you to find a suitable property that’s available for sale and fits both your budget and our criteria. Your rental payments are fixed, as is the price of the property at the end of the rental term. This means you can budget with confidence and know exactly what you are working towards. At the end of the rental term, if you choose to buy the property, it will be 100% in your name.

When was BeHomed founded?

BeHomed was launched in 2024 as a new branch of Sheila Smith’s established property business, built on years of hands-on buy-to-let experience. The brand is new, but the model is proven – and we’re committed to creating win–win outcomes for tenant buyers, landlords, developers, and investors alike.