Self build register

We keep a register of people interested in building their own home.

The register helps us to estimate the demand for custom and self-building within Havering and will assist us in developing specific policies for providing custom or self-build housing plots in the future.

Our two part self-build register

Part 1 is for those who meet all eligibility criteria set by the council.

The purpose of part 1 of the register is to measure the ‘baseline demand’ for self-build and custom housebuilding plots, which must be met within 3 years as laid out in the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015.

Part 2 is for those who meet all criteria apart from local connection.

Entries onto part 2 of the register do not count towards demand for the purpose of the 2015 Act but local authorities must consider Part 2 of the register when carrying out planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration functions, as this forms part of their ‘duty to regard’.

To be eligible for part 1 you must:

• be aged 18 or over 
• be a British citizen or national of a European Economic Area State (member states of the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway, other than the United Kingdom), or a national of Switzerland 
• be seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in Havering to build a house to occupy as your sole or main residence 
• meet our local connection test (currently live and have continuously lived within the Borough of Havering for the past three years from the date of your application, or currently work and have continuously worked within the London Borough of Havering for the past three years from the date of your application). If you are in the service of the regular armed forces or have served in the armed forces within the last two years from the date of your application, you will be deemed to have satisfied our local connection test
• have access to a minimum of £250,000 in personal finances 

To be eligible for part 2 you must meet all above criteria apart from the local connection test. 

When filling out the application form, you will be asked to give evidence of the criteria above. 

If your application is accepted and you are entered onto the register, the following entry fees apply.

• Applicants for Part 1 of the register have to pay a £100 administration fee.
• Applicants for Part 2 of the register have to pay a £80 administration fee.
• There is no fee to remain on the register. 

Details of the fee payment will be sent to you once we confirm your entry onto the register.

If the fees aren’t paid within 28 days, your application will be removed from the register.

If you wish to be removed from the register, or wish to make amendments to personal details, please submit a request in writing to developmentplanning@havering.gov.uk

Apply to be on the register

There are three sections in the application for you to complete:

1. Your details - Your details and, if you are acting on behalf of an association, we will need those details as well.
2. Eligibility requirements - You will be asked to upload documents. There are several options so please take time to read the form carefully before uploading the evidence required.
3. Further Information - This section helps us understand the type of demand there is for self and custom build.

Apply to be on the register for self build