The terms 'self-build' and 'custom-build' are used to describe situations where an individual or association of individuals is involved in creating their own home.
The amount of personal involvement will vary. For example, some self-builders physically build all or part of a home themselves.
At the other end of the scale, a developer may find a site and then seek a number of self-build clients and build their homes to their specification under a contract.
Self-build homes
Self-build describes projects where the people involved play a very significant part in the process.
They may help organise the project, commission an architect or builder, or do some of the construction or finishing off work too.
Custom-build homes
Custom-build describes a more 'hands-off' approach where a specialist developer co-ordinates the whole process for the people involved.
Affordable housing and rental schemes
Affordable housing may also be self-built.
In a rented custom-build scheme, tenants could be involved in self-build or agreeing to 'self-finish' homes perhaps in return for reduced rents or other benefits.
Registering your interest in self-build or custom-build homes
You can apply to be on our self and custom build register if you meet the criteria below. We require proof that you meet these criteria.
Instructions on how to submit proof are included in the online registration form.
- you are aged over 18
- you are a British Citizen, a national of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or a national of Switzerland
- you are seeking (either alone or with others) to acquire a serviced plot of land in East Hampshire District Council’s area (outside the South Downs National Park) to build a house to occupy as your sole or main residence
- you are an association which is eligible for entry in the register if each member of the association meets all of the above eligibility requirements
To register, please complete the relevant application form below:
- Individual self build register application form (word 81 kb)
- Association self build register application form (word 83 kb)
By registering, you are agreeing that we can use the data you provide to understand the demand for custom-build and self-build housing.
In preparing this register, we are making no commitment to provide self-build or custom-build plots. Registration does not guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified or made available to you.
How we manage the register
We will retain your information on our register for two years. After two years, we will contact you and offer you the opportunity to re-register, should you wish to do so. This is to ensure we do not hold your personal details indefinitely, and that the information on our register remains up to date (for example your contact details and/or your circumstances may have changed).
Register statistics
Our register has been running since August 2015. Data is collected by the Government each year and reported online.
The latest data relating to the East Hampshire Self and Custom Build Register is reported below.
- Self Build Statistics 2020-2021 (pdf 78 kb)
The data shows no personal information but demonstrates the level of interest across our district (outside of the South Downs National Park).