Right to Buy

Right to Buy is a government scheme that allows secure council tenants to purchase their rented home at a discounted price, depending on eligibility.

The right to buy is available to secure tenants of local authorities, non-charitable housing associations and to assured tenants of registered providers (Housing Associations).

Buying a home is the biggest single investment most people will ever make. It's an exciting time but there is a lot to think about. It is a big decision for you and your family, your home can be an asset in future years, your home ownership can give you the freedom such as being able to make some changes to your home without needing your landlords permission. 

Please read all the information below about the right to buy process, your rights and what is involved:

Government Guidance website with free impartial advice line for Right to Buy

Your Right To Buy Your Home A Guide 2024

All government guidance for right to buy on gov.uk

Right to Buy Summary Booklet

To qualify for the Right to Buy:

• You must be a secure tenant on the date of the application for at least 3 years.
• Your House, Flat or Bungalow is your only principal home and is self-contained.
• You are a tenant, joint tenant or a non-tenant who is a member of your family, sharing the Right to Buy, and has occupied the property as their only main home for 12 months or more

You cannot:

• Have an active court possession order, 
  be bankrupt or have a bankruptcy petition pending against you.
• Please use/take the eligibility quiz to determine if you can exercise the Right to Buy. 

The discount amount will depend on the number of years you have been a tenant for which may include time resided in public sector properties, such as other council homes or housing associations etc.

The longer you have been a tenant, the more discount you get.

If you lived with your parents after the age of sixteen and later became a tenant of the same home, you may be able to include this time too.  

If you are buying jointly with someone who has longer qualifying period than yours, you will be entitled to their higher rate of discount but you cannot 'add together' separate qualifying periods.

The discount you receive may be reduced if the amount of money we have spent on your home in the last 10 years, (15 years for a new build property) is more than the purchase price of your home.  This is called the cost floor.  We cannot sell your home for less than the cost floor amount. 

If you have previously bought a property under Right to Buy than the discount you received for that property will be taken off the discount on your current Right to Buy purchase.

Discount range from 35% to 70% for houses and 50% to 70% for flats and Maisonettes.  

Please Note.

Under the Right to Buy scheme, some council tenants can buy their homes and receive a discount.

The government announced in the 30 October 2024 budget that the discounts that applied on Right to Buys would reduce from 21 November 2024. 

From 21 November 2024, the discount was reduced and is now capped at £24,000 for all applications received after this date. To be eligible for the higher discounts, a completed application form must have been been received by the Council before 21 November 2024, and this deadline has now passed. 

Please refer back to the 'Your Right To Buy Your Home - A guide 2024' Government's Legislation Booklet' or contact us for further information. Please use the discount calculator to determine how much discount you might be entitled to.

Property Value 

The value of your home will be determined by the valuation which will be carried out by a qualified Property Adviser.

You can visit online property valuation websites to check how much your property may be worth.

You need to consider the added responsibilities before owning a home and need to be sure it is the right choice for you and your family.

You are responsible for how you finance buying your home. For example, you may need to get a loan or mortgage to enable you to take up the Right to Buy.

You will also become responsible for all the costs of maintaining your home, including routine repairs, major structural repairs, and improvements to it. Don't forget general living costs when working out what you can afford (food, bills etc.) 

If you buy a flat, you'll become a leaseholder and will have to contribute to the maintenance of the building and surrounding area by paying service charges each year.

Think about the future, when your circumstances may change.  Bear in mind that house prices and interest rates could go down as well as up. 

Don't forget to think about the one-off costs too - such as stamp duty, a survey and solicitors fees. 

You won't be eligible for housing benefit/housing element of universal credit if you become a homeowner.  

You may want income protection or life insurance in case anything happens to you while paying back your loan or mortgage (some lenders require this). 

Your home could be at risk if you fail to keep up with your mortgage or loan payments. 

Has your home been built using a non-traditional type of construction?  

Non-traditional construction utilises systems building and commonly includes one or more of the following elements; metal, concrete or timber frames, or concrete panel construction, instead of traditional brick wall construction.

Even if you don't need mortgage yourself, check whether lenders are willing to give loans or mortgage on the type of house or flat you are buying. 

Many banks, building societies and financial institutions do not provide their services to customers with non-traditional construction types.  If you’re purchasing a non-traditional construction type property you may experience problems getting a loan, mortgage or home insurance.  Your home also could be difficult to resell when the time comes because many future buyers will need to use a mortgage to finance the purchase of your home. 

If you would like to make a right to buy application please download, and fill in the following forms:

• RTB1 August 2015
• Insolvency Declaration Form
• Disclosure Of Information 

RTB Application Guidance Notes are here to help you with your application. 

Alternatively, If you would like an application pack, with all the forms and the guidance, posted to you please call the team on 01302 862809.

When you have completed the forms please call the team on 01302 862809 to arrange an appointment to check the form and your documentation before it is submitted.  

You will need to bring the following documents with you to the appointment:

• Proof of ID (must be a valid in date passport or drivers licence for each applicant.
• National Insurance number.
• A mortgage promise/offer in principal or evidence of funds available.

We will discuss with you when arranging the appointment any other documents that may be required to complete the purchase of the property.

Please be aware we will ask to check your financial details as part of our obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations.

If you require someone to act on your behalf they will also need to attend the appointment and provide proof of valid ID and a proxy authorisation will be completed during the appointment.

The appointments are held at:

St Leger Homes of Doncaster Ltd 
Civic Office
Waterdale, Doncaster
DN1 3BU

If you have any problems with getting to the Civic Office, or you have any other query please contact the team on 01302 862809, or send an email to rtb@stlegerhomes.co.uk