Shropshire Star

Rent to Own celebration marks new chapter in affordable homeownership for Shrewsbury families

Cornovii Developments Ltd hosted a celebration on Friday, November 7, at their Charles' View development in Shrewsbury, to mark the success of the Rent to Own scheme and the first customers moving into the Charles’ View Development.

By contributor Emily Parry
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Who are Cornovii Developments Ltd? 

Cornovii Developments Ltd is a housing developer wholly owned by Shropshire Council. Its mission is to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes across Shropshire, offering a range of tenures including homes for sale, private rent, shared ownership, and Rent to Own. Cornovii combines public sector values with commercial flexibility, ensuring homes are sustainable, well-designed, and connected to local communities. 

(Left –Right, Milan Pavlovic Founding Partner of Kettle Homes, Gemma and Darren Cornovii Development customers, Harpreet Rayet Managing Director at Cornovii Developments Ltd, Ian Cornovii customer, Julia Buckley MP for Shrewsbury, Jeremy Blandford Deputy Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure at Shropshire Council, James Owen Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure at Shropshire Council, Victoria Harrold Sales & Aftercare Assistant Manager at Cornovii Developments Ltd and Trevor Stunden, CEO & Founding Partner of Kettle Homes)
(L to R): Milan Pavlovic Founding Partner of Kettle Homes, Gemma and Darren Cornovii Development customers, Harpreet Rayet Managing Director at Cornovii Developments Ltd, Ian Cornovii customer, Julia Buckley MP for Shrewsbury, Jeremy Blandford Deputy Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure at Shropshire Council, James Owen Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure at Shropshire Council, Victoria Harrold Sales & Aftercare Assistant Manager at Cornovii Developments Ltd and Trevor Stunden, CEO & Founding Partner of Kettle Homes

What is Rent to Own? 

Rent to Own is an innovative scheme designed to help first-time buyers and local families move into a home now while working towards ownership. Through Cornovii’s partnership with Kettel Homes, customers can: 

  • Move in with a low upfront deposit (as little as 1%)

  • Rent for a fixed term (typically three years) at an agreed price. 

  • Save towards a 10% deposit during the rental period. 

  • Buy the home at a pre-agreed price, providing certainty in a fluctuating market. 

If customers decide not to buy, their initial deposit is refunded, and they keep any savings accrued. This model offers flexibility, security, and a clear pathway to homeownership for those who might otherwise be locked out of the market. 

(Left-Right - Trevor Stunden, CEO & Founding Partner of Kettle Homes, Julia Buckley MP for Shrewsbury, Gemma Cornovii Developments Ltd Customer, Darren Cornovii Developments Customer)
(L to R): Trevor Stunden, CEO & Founding Partner of Kettle Homes, Julia Buckley MP for Shrewsbury, Gemma Cornovii Developments Ltd Customer, Darren Cornovii Developments Customer

The event welcomed key partners, guests, and new customers who have recently moved into private sale homes and rent-to-own properties, including Julia Buckley MP, James Owen Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure at Shropshire Council, Jeremy Blandford Deputy Portfolio Holder at Shropshire Council, colleagues from Cornovii Developments led by Managing Director Harpreet Rayet, as well as Trevor Stunden, CEO & Founding Partner of Kettle Homes, and Milan Pavlovic, Founding Partner. 

Guests enjoyed speeches, property tours, and the chance to meet customers benefiting from Rent to Own. The scheme allows residents to rent their home at an affordable rate while saving towards a deposit, with the option to buy later—making homeownership more accessible for local families. 

Gemma, one of the first Rent to Own customers at Charles’ View, said: "It’s been amazing since we moved in – it’s given us security and a real sense of hope for the future."