Under 23’s to be barred from starter homes discount

First-time buyers under the age of 23 will not qualify for Starter Homes, under a change to the government’s proposals.

An amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill means people under 23 would not be able to access the product. Starter Homes allow homes to be bought with a 20% discount.

The government had previously announced first-time buyers under the age of 40 would be eligible.

Baroness Williams’ amendment changes the wording to define a qualifying first-time buyer “as a person who is at least 23 years old but has not yet reached the age of 40”. The bill also allows other eligibility criteria to be set out in regulations made by the secretary of state.