The Discount Market Sale (DMS) scheme helps residents who need affordable housing to achieve their home ownership goals. The scheme offers them the opportunity to purchase a property that would otherwise be unaffordable on the open market.

A DMS property is a form of affordable housing, which is sold at a discount of at least 20% below open market values. The owner will own 100% of the property, but they must pass on the discount to future buyers (this will also apply where the interests in a property are transfers of equity). No landlord or registered provider has an interest in the property; the owner will be responsible for all repair and maintenance costs.

Where DMS properties are secured, they will be restricted by planning obligation to make sure that a discount of at least 20% is applicable every time the property is sold or transferred, in perpetuity, to an eligible buyer. This is via a restriction on the title - which will apply for any sale, transfer of equity, re-mortgage, or any other form of disposal.

Not all DMS properties would necessarily be properties for first-time buyers, and purchasers may already have an amount of equity in an existing property that they wish to sell. This might include people who need a larger home as their family have grown, but are unable to afford market prices.

The process for purchasing a DMS property will normally be set out in a related Section 106 Agreement (as per the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) - including any deed of variation or supplemental deed - which is needed in connection with the planning permission.

A DMS property should be the owner's main residence, who has no other legal interests in any other property.

We have produced a flowchart which illustrates the sale procedure of a DMS property.