More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Dartford residents are being priced out of the borough's housing market, says a financial adviser.
Michelle Deogun, who works for Gillingham-based Kent Mortgage Solutions, says people from London are moving into places like Dartford because it is cheaper than living in the capital.
She told Dartford Borough Council's strategic housing board that prices in north west Kent remain at a "premium" and locals cannot afford to live there.
Ms Deogun said: "What I have seen is a lot of locals having to move further out into Gravesend, Rochester and further down into Medway, because they can get more for their money by moving out of Dartford."
Her comments came during a virtual meeting involving a panel of 10 people, including mortgage advisers and councillors.
Dartford council leader, Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con), who sits on the board, questioned whether people from London boroughs such as Islington and Haringey were jumping the housing queue in front of local people.
He added: "One of the concerns that residents have is being priced out of their own town."
Government actions taken to ease the pressure on families and first-time buyers include Help to Buy, shared ownership and part-rent.
Mortgage advice is available around cash borrowing powers, credit history and the deposit required to buy a home.
Wednesday's meeting heard buyers can enter a 25% shared ownership with the government, requiring a deposit of £5,000 to £7,000 to live in a £300,000 property.
Kent financial advisers say this is more favourable than the open market where people require a deposit of around £40,000.
Terry Hyett, of Mortgage Solutions, said: "I think it's a really good way for people to get on the ladder with low incomes and low deposits."
First-time buyers would face a price cap in the south east to the tune of £437,600 for houses, second only to London for homes worth £600,000.
Ms Deogun, who has been a financial adviser for six years, suggested more affordable housing should be built. She added: "Locals are being priced out because it is more attractive for city workers to move to the borough."
However, Cllr Kite said the answer was not as simple as asking firms to build affordable housing as some companies say it is not financially "viable".
