Community-led Housing Mortgages

Mortgages designed to support community-led housing projects that put community, sustainability and affordability at the heart of housing.

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Any home or property given as security may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or other debts secured on it

Why partner with Ecology?

Key features of our mortgages

Borrow up to 80% loan-to-value for housing associations and community land trusts, and 75% loan-to-value for housing co-operatives and cohousing groups, subject to eligibility.
Long term loans available for up to 35 years.
Development loans with stage release payments as your build progresses.
Flexible lending for new builds, renovations, and shared ownerships models.
Support for innovative, eco-friendly construction methods (timber frame, straw bale, earth-sheltered homes, and more).

How we support your project

Work closely with you to navigate the unique challenges of your project.
Provide guidance on sustainable design and energy efficiency to help meet your goals.
Offer flexible lending for non-standard construction and materials.
Support through your application journey with our experienced team.

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View Eligibility, Fees and Charges

Eligibility

For purchasing or refinancing an existing property.
For new build projects, homes need to achieve an A or B rating under the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standard.
If you’re working on a refurbishment or renovation, we’ll need information that explains the steps you propose for sustainable and energy-efficient upgrades.
A site visit may be arranged to understand your project further, following an application.
All secured loans are subject to valuation.
Borrowers must be 18+.
UK registered organisations only.

Fees and charges

Non-refundable mortgage application fee is payable when you formally apply.
Early repayment charges apply if you repay all or part of your mortgage within the first two years.
Offer acceptance fee apply when you accept a formal mortgage offer.
We will agree a valuation fee with you using a local qualified chartered surveyor. You’ll need to pay the agreed fee in advance of the Society formally instructing the surveyor to undertake a valuation report.
The Society reserves the right to amend existing services and charges, or to introduce new ones.
Any change to charges will only reflect the increased operational costs of providing the service. You will always be notified before any changes are implemented.

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Our mortgages for Community Groups and Charities are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Organisations and projects we support

We consider lending on a range of projects and work with communities committed to sustainable housing and creating lasting benefits for people and places.

Projects we support:

Purchase of existing housing
New builds and renovations
Energy-efficient, low-impact homes
Non-traditional construction (e.g. straw bale, timber frame, rammed earth)
Derelict properties or empty homes for sustainable retrofitting
Affordable community and cohousing models
Projects that create long-term affordable homes and reduce carbon impact.

Communities we support:

New or existing housing co-operatives
Established community land trust (CLTs), housing associations and cohousing groups

Enquire Now

Complete our enquiry form to get started.
Or, if you prefer, call or email us.

01535 650770
[email protected]
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (on Tuesdays we open at 10am)

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You can find details about repayment types, loan-to-values, and available loan sizes on the relevant product page.

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FAQs

Do we need to provide planning permission for a new build development?

Yes, we need full planning permission and detailed costing before starting a formal application.

What information do we need to progress a mortgage application?

You’ll need to have a specific project in mind which needs to be supported by detailed plans, including a breakdown of material and labour costs and an indication of the energy standard you are building or renovating to. We will also ask for recent financial accounts and bank statements where appropriate, along with financial projections to show how your project will service your mortgage repayments and other ongoing financial commitments.

What deposit do we need for our mortgage?

You will need the relevant deposit based on the maximum loan-to-value above, plus funds for outlays such as professional costs and application fees.

Do we still need a deposit if we already own the land and have planning permission?

No, you don’t always need a deposit; we can lend based on the value of your land or property, providing you already own the land and it’s mortgage-free. Also, if you need us to, we can help you repay any outstanding finance on the land.

How much will our mortgage cost a month?

As soon as we know that we can help, we’ll provide you with an indicative illustration, showing how much your monthly repayment will be for the amount you want to borrow, over the term you require

How long do we have to complete the build or renovation?

Subject to planning constraints, we allow a maximum of 2 years for you to complete the build or renovation.

Do you offer stage payments?

Yes, although we do not release payments at set construction milestone stages (e.g. foundation, wall plate etc.). We release funds as and when the build progresses and release up to a percentage of the increased value of the property.

Can we have interest-only during the build or renovation phase?

Yes, we can offer an interest-only period during the construction or renovation phase until rental or sales income can service capital repayments.

Does Ecology require a particular build warranty on completion of my project?

A build warranty is not a mandatory lending requirement of our mortgage and we are happy with a Building Regulation Completion Certificate. However, if you wish to take out a build warranty for the completion of the property then this is acceptable to the Society.

Do we need to have been established for a minimum period before you will lend to us?

No, we can consider lending to new groups in support of their first project, subject to receipt of a robust business plan.

Do we need to have a minimum number of properties or members?

We can consider projects with a single property. If you are a housing co-operative, we require that you have a minimum of four independent resident members, and that a minimum of 50% of members are in paid employment.