The Cambridge Building Society’s Rent to Home scheme has helped a young family buy their first house.
Joint applicants Sophie Rhead (pictured, right) and Jamie Bladen (pictured, left), were randomly chosen by ballot in 2023 as tenants for The Cambridge’s Northstowe property.
After leaving the scheme a year before the maximum three-year term, they reclaimed £24,570 of their rent to use as a deposit on a new home in Swavesey, which they moved into a few weeks ago.
Rhead said: “When we were selected, we honestly couldn’t believe it – it felt like such a huge opportunity.
“Being part of the Rent to Home scheme has meant we’ve been able to build a future together – quicker than we could have imagined.
“We got engaged, started our family, and now we’ve bought our own home closer to our loved ones. The Cambridge has made what felt impossible at our age, achievable.”
Bladen said: “Getting the call on my birthday was an incredible surprise and the best present I could have asked for.
“Rent to Home has completely changed our lives – it’s given us the chance to plan for the future, provide a home for our daughter, and be nearer to family.
“We’ll always be so grateful to The Cambridge for that.”
The Rent to Home initiative allows tenants to rent a newly refurbished property for between one and three years.
If they decide to buy a home during this time, they get back 70% of the rent paid to use as a deposit.
Peter Burrows, CEO of The Cambridge Building Society, said: “We’re absolutely delighted for Sophie and Jamie.
“Seeing them get engaged, start their family, and now take the exciting step of buying their own home really shows how Rent to Home can transform lives.
“Their journey is exactly why we created this initiative – to give local people the support they need to turn what can feel like an impossible dream into a reality.”
