‘Right to Buy’ is a scheme for tenants living in the UK. If you are a tenant of a home and you want to purchase it, you get a big discount on the market value of the home. However, the discount is available only if you have been a tenant for at least 3 years. The basis for eligibility was reduced from 5 years of the tenancy to 3 years of tenancy in May of 2015.
The amount of discount you get will depend on the number of years you have been a tenant.
- If you have been a tenant of a house for 3, 4 or 5 years, the discount is 35%. For every extra year after that, the discount increases by 1%.
- If you have been a tenant of a flat for 3, 4 or 5 years, the discount is 35%. For every extra year after that, the discount increases by 2%.
Note:
- The discount cannot be more than 70%.
- Whatever the percentage, the discount cannot be more than £78,600. In London, however, the discount can be up to £104,900.
Every year in April, the discount may increase depending on the Consumer Price Index.
Are you eligible for Right to Buy?
In order to be eligible for Right to Buy, the following criteria must be met:
- You must be a secure tenant of a public-sector property or you must have been a secure tenant when the property was transferred from public-sector to another landlord.
(A public-sector property is a property belonging to a public body such as a council, government department or a housing association.)
(A secure tenant is someone who has the right to stay in the property for life unless he receives an eviction order from the court.)
- You must have been a tenant for at least three years. The three years do not have to be consecutive.
- The property is your only home or your main home.
- The property is not shared with anyone other than the members of your household.
- The property is not sheltered housing or a house suitable for the elderly or the disabled.
- The property is not due for demolition.
- You must be financially secure i.e.; you must be in a position to obtain a mortgage and pay the monthly repayments.
- You must not have breached any possession orders from the court.
- You must not be involved in any kind of bankruptcy or debt-related issues.
If you have any confusions about whether you are eligible for Right to Buy, please contact us at 01582 383 888 and book a free 20-minute initial consultation. Our solicitors are experts in matters related to property and conveyancing.
Once you know you are eligible for Right to Buy, ask your landlord for the Right to Buy claim (Form RTB 1). The form can also be downloaded from the government website https://www.gov.uk/right-to-buy-buyingyour-council-home/applying
Please note that your landlord will also have to agree that you are eligible for Right to Buy. You can proceed only if he agrees.
Do you have to apply alone for Right to Buy?
No, you can apply for Right to Buy jointly with
- Your spouse or civil partner,
- Your joint tenant, or
- Up to 3 family members who have lived with you for the past 12 months (They do not have to be under any tenancy agreement with you but this home must be their main home as well)
If you think you could be eligible for the Right to buy discount and need further guidance on purchasing your first property, please contact our conveyancing experts at Aristone Solicitors.
