Zinedine and Bethany Griffiths-Haigh are the first people to move into one of ten properties at Maes Corton in Presteigne that are part of the ‘Rent to Own’ scheme set out by the Welsh Government.

The Rent to Own scheme allows people to purchase the home they are renting, and can help them build up a sum of money towards a mortgage deposit. It aims to get people, who do not have sufficient funds for a mortgage deposit, on to the property ladder,.

Tenants initially rent the property and can receive 25% of the rent paid over the duration of the tenancy and 50% of the increase in the property value, if there is any, during the time they have rented the property to use as a deposit towards purchasing the house.

The scheme lasts up to five years, and tenants can apply to buy their home at anytime between the end of the second year and the end of the five-year agreement.

The ten properties in Presteigne are part of a larger development of 34 properties by construction company, SJ Roberts. They have been built for housing association, Barcud and have been marketed by Morris, Marshall and Poole with Norman Lloyd estate agents.

“There was a lot of interest in the Rent to Own properties and eight of the 10 have either been allocated or applications received.

“We only have two two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows left under the scheme at the development.” said Bryan Jarman, a Charted Surveyor at Morris, Marshall and Poole.

Bryan also said that they had agreed sales on the 12 open market properties on the development, with a lot of interest in the quality houses. The remaining houses in Presteigne will become social housing provided through Barcud.

He said: “There was considerable interest in the homes as soon as we placed on the market late last year.

“This mirrors the demand for homes throughout Mid Wales and Shropshire over the past 18 months, with significant demand continuing.”