The Right to Buy scheme is to help tenants in England buy their council home at a discount.
You are probably eligible if you:
- live in a council property
- have been a council or housing association tenant for at least 3 years
Family members who have lived with you in your home throughout the last 12 months may also be able to join you in the right to buy. The longer you have been a tenant the more discount you will get. The maximum discount referred to is currently £102,400 however this figure is reviewed annually.
The Government has changed the discount rules for the Right To Buy scheme. For applications received on or after 21st November 2024 the new maximum discount is now £24,000. For your application to be processed under the current maximum discount rules, we must have received it by midnight 20th November 2024.
Buying a flat
We, as your landlord, will be responsible for maintaining the outside of the flat and the building and surrounding area, you will pay your share of these costs, these are known as service charges.
You will also pay your share of major repairs or maintenance costs. This can be several thousand pounds. We, as your landlord, will supply you with an estimate of the charges you must pay during the first 5 years.
Applying to buy
If you are eligible and have decided to apply to buy your home, you should download copies of the Right to Buy Application Form and the Additional Information Form. Completed copies of both forms should be sent to us by post.
When we receive your form we will reply to you within 4 weeks to tell you if you have been accepted on the scheme. If you are not accepted we will let you know why.
Bungalows and ground floor flats
You cannot buy your home if it is a bungalow or ground floor flat that is particularly suitable for an elderly person to live in. However, you have the right to ask the Residential Property Tribunal to decide if this applies to your home.
Be careful if any person or company offers to help you buy your home
Talk to us before accepting an offer from someone to help you buy your home.
The company may be offering you a deal that is better for them than for you. We will give you free advice about the Right to Buy process.
Selling or transferring your home later
You may sell your home whenever you want but if you sell it within 5 years you will have to repay the discount to us.
The amount you repay depends on the price you sell at and how long you have owned the property. This also applies if you agree to transfer ownership of the property to someone else in the future.
If you sell or transfer ownership of your property within 10 years you must offer your former landlord the first refusal to buy it back. If your former landlord does not want to buy it back you may sell it on the open market.