Accelerator Scheme
Your path from renting to owning
The Accelerator Scheme is a joint venture between Dolphin Living and Westminster City Council that accelerates Westminster households into home ownership. It does this by providing a home to rent in Westminster for 3 years at 35% below market rent to those who have started saving towards a deposit.
After three years households receive a Dolphin Living grant towards buying their own home in London.
Important: This is not a rent-to-buy scheme. You will not be able to buy the home you rent.
How does it
work?
You rent a home at 35% below market rent for up to three years, making London living affordable while you save. At the three year rental period, you are eligible to receive a grant towards the purchase of a home in London. The average grant paid out to date is £26,000.
You won’t be buying the home you rent through the scheme. Instead, the Accelerator Scheme helps you save for a deposit to buy a new home on the open market at the end of your scheme.
Who’s it for?
- People who have saved at least £22,500 towards a deposit.
- Households earning less than £90,000 per year.
- Working Londoners living or working in Westminster.
- Applicants who do not currently own a home in the UK or abroad.
- Those employed and able to pay rent and living costs without Housing Benefit.
- Existing Dolphin Living residents can apply to the scheme, they will have to move to a home within the scheme.
Eligibility summary
- Household income under £90,000
- Live or work in London
- Savings of at least £22,500 for a deposit
- No current home ownership or home ownership agreements
- Employed and financially independent from housing benefits
The Accelerator Scheme journey step by step
The process of renting with Dolphin Living is designed to be clear and straightforward. From checking your eligibility to finding a home, applying, moving in, and eventually moving on, each stage comes with guidance, FAQs, and support to help you through the journey.
Applying to the Accelerator Scheme
Check if you are eligible for the scheme using our eligibility checker and if you meet the criteria then register your interest!
If you’re successful in finding a home on the Accelerator Scheme you’ll be a Dolphin resident for 3 years, and at the end of the tenancy you could receive a grant to help you buy your first home in London.
Please note, under this scheme, you buy a property on the open market yourself.
Year 1
In your first year on the scheme we encourage you to enjoy your Dolphin home, but not lose sight of saving money towards your deposit. You will be paying 35% below market rent so this should give you the opportunity to save.
We host an annual residents meeting for those on the Accelerator Scheme, which will give you the opportunity to meet with a recommended mortgage advisor to understand your future options.
Year 2
This is a good point to start thinking about where you would like to buy and to keep an eye on the housing market to inform your decision making.
Keep in mind your future mortgage application; are you self-employed, starting a new job or going on paternal leave? This will potentially impact what you need for your application. And be aware of your credit score, you’ll need a good score to secure your mortgage.
We’ll hold the annual residents meeting again, and we also recommend you attend the London Home Show held twice a year in Westminster.
After two and a half years we will ask you to confirm to us that you are in a position to purchase a home, have been approved for a mortgage in principle and have started looking to see where you can purchase a home.
Year 3
This will be your final year in the scheme and you will need to ensure you have secured a property purchase in time for your tenancy ending on your Dolphin home.
Shared Ownership homes could be a good option, keep an eye on new developments in areas you like at https://www.sharetobuy.com/ and Homes for Westminster also keep their website updated with homes available to buy in the borough https://www.homesforwestminster.co.uk/category/property-for-sale
FAQs
Here you’ll find clear answers to the questions we’re asked most often.
We have a limited number of Accelerator Scheme homes, they become available as and when previous residents move on. Each application is slightly different, we’ll talk through your application with you at the beginning.
There is a maximum price you can purchase to, this is to fit within our charitable objectives, and the property must also be located within Greater London.
Yes we have a recommended mortgage advisor and solicitors that are familiar with the Accelerator Scheme.
You must purchase a home within Greater London
Yes, you will need to re-register with Homes for Westminster and go through the formal application process. You will need to leave your current home and move into an Accelerator Scheme property.
They are all in Westminster.
No, you must leave at the end of the three years even if you are not in a position to buy a property.
The grant is based on average property prices in London at the time of your purchase. We can provide you with grant illustrations at various points throughout your tenancy.
No. You will purchase a home on the open market, Dolphin Living only provide rental homes.
Register your interest in the Accelerator scheme
Flat 43 Hopkins Street
Borough:
Westminster
Qualifying Income:
£71,300
£65,370
Scheme:
Westminster Home Ownership Accelerator
Floor:
Fourth
Bedrooms:
2
Available from:
January 2026
Flat 11 Lanhill Road
Borough:
Westminster
Qualifying Income:
£65,000
£68,000
Scheme:
Westminster Home Ownership Accelerator
Floor:
Second
Bedrooms:
2
Available from:
January 2026
Flat 10 Porchester Road
Borough:
Westminster
Qualifying Income:
£68,000
£70,000
Scheme:
Westminster Home Ownership Accelerator
Floor:
Second
Bedrooms:
1
Available from:
January 2026
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I am truly grateful for the support provided by Dolphin Living throughout the process. Thanks to this scheme, I was able to step onto the property ladder sooner, especially during such a challenging time in the rental market. This opportunity has made a significant difference in my journey to homeownership, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to buy their first home in London.
Accelerator Scheme resident
