There is no “correct” way to start a community land trust.

This diagram shows the main five steps typically involved where a CLT is formed to develop some new homes. The general stages are similar if you’re hoping to build something else, or might look different if you’re starting a CLT to conserve some open space.

Of course, life rarely goes to plan, and you might not follow this exact route. Sometimes a bit of land comes along and you form a group to buy and use it. Existing community organisations can start CLTs. Landowners, housing associations and developers can decide to form a CLT to complete a project they already had in mind.