Your right to buy your Council property

Some people decide to exercise their right to buy their Council property, known as ‘right to buy’. Most Council tenants can apply to buy their Council house or flat at a discount. For further information, see the Government website and the right to buy eligibility quiz.

If you wish to apply to buy your council house, you need to complete form RTB1 and send your landlord (normally the local Council) who must accept or decline your application within certain timescales. If your landlord declines your right to buy application, they must give reasons.

If your landlord agrees to sell, they send you an offer (usually within 8 weeks if a freehold or 12 weeks if a leasehold property.

The right to buy offer will include the price, with details of how it was calculated, your discount, with details of how it was calculated, details of the property being sold, estimates of maintenance /service charges for the first 5 years, if a flat or maisonette and details of any known structural problems.

You must confirm to the landlord within 12 weeks of receiving the offer if you want to buy. If you not the landlord will send you a reminder. You must reply to the reminder within 28 days, or the landlord may pull out.

You can pull out of the purchase and continue to rent at any time before completion.

If you do not agree with the landlord’s valuation, you can request an independent valuation.

You will need to budget for all the costs and fees relating to your purchase, including any survey fees, mortgage broker’s fees (if any) and legal fees. There will be a Land Registry fee for registering your title. Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) may be payable depending on the price of the property.

If you are you a council tenant looking to own the home you love the Right to Buy scheme may be for you. At Angels Solicitors, we have helped numerous tenants make the most of this opportunity, ensuring a smooth, understandable, and affordable path to homeownership.

Contact us for a fee estimate today.