Can I use benefits as income when applying for Keyzy?

Keyzy is a private rent-to-own solution designed to support people who are working towards buying a home. Because the goal is homeownership, applications are assessed not just on whether rent is affordable today, but also on whether customers are likely to be able to purchase the property in the future.

To register for Keyzy, applicants must meet a minimum combined household employment income of £50,000. In addition, a proportion of the rent must be funded through employment income to reflect long-term affordability.

How benefits are treated

Benefits can be included as part of your household income, but they are treated as supplementary rather than primary income. This means:

• At least 75% of the monthly rent must come from employment income

This structure helps ensure that customers are on a stable path toward purchasing their home at the end of the two year lease agreement.

A practical example

Imagine a household applying for a Keyzy home with a monthly rent of £1,600.

• At least £1,200 of that rent must be paid from employment income
• Up to £400 could come from benefits or other acceptable income sources

In this scenario, benefits help support the household’s finances, but employment income remains the main source used to meet the rent.

Why this matters

Benefits can change, reduce, or stop due to changes in personal circumstances or eligibility. By requiring most of the rent to be covered by employment income, Keyzy helps reduce the risk that a customer could suddenly be unable to afford their home if benefit payments fall away.

This approach supports long-term stability during the rent-to-own period and helps protect customers from entering into arrangements that may become unsustainable.

If you’re not eligible yet

If your current income is mostly or entirely made up of benefits, you may not be eligible right now. However, eligibility can change if your employment income increases or your circumstances evolve. In the meantime, other housing options may be more suitable depending on your situation.

To find out more about private rent-to-buy visit keyzy.com