Right To Buy Conveyancing Solicitors

What Discount Could I Receive?

Under the Right to Buy scheme, eligible tenants can purchase their home at a significant discount from the full market value. The exact amount of discount you’re entitled to will depend on the type of property, how long you’ve been a tenant in the public sector, and the current value of your home.

If you’re buying a house, the discount starts at 35% once you’ve been a tenant for three years. This increases by 1% for every extra year of tenancy, up to a maximum of 70%, or the financial cap set by the government. For flats, the starting discount is 50%, increasing by 2% for each additional year, again capped at 70% or the maximum limit.

As of 2026, the maximum discount is between £16,000 and £38,000 across England. These figures are reviewed annually and may change over time. Applications received by 20 November 2024 kept the previous higher caps of £102,400 outside London and £136,400 in London.

For example, if you’ve lived in a council house for six years and the open market value of the property is £200,000, you may be entitled to a 36% discount, or the national maximum (whichever is lower).

If you’re buying jointly with another eligible tenant or a family member, the discount is usually based on the person with the longest qualifying tenancy.

The government provides a free Right to Buy Chart to help you estimate the discount you could receive.

It’s important to be aware that if you decide to sell the property within five years of completing your purchase, you may have to repay some or all of the discount you received. The amount repayable is tapered, reducing each year until the five-year period ends.

How to Apply for the Right to Buy Scheme

Applying for the Right to Buy scheme involves several formal steps. While it may appear straightforward at first, the process is legally binding and time-sensitive, so it’s important to approach it with the right support.

Step 1: Complete the Application Form

To begin, you need to fill out the Right to Buy application form (RTB1) and send it to your landlord. This form asks for details about your tenancy, the property, and any joint applicants.

You can download the latest version of the form directly from the Government’s website here:

• Right to Buy Application Form (RTB1)

Step 2: Landlord Response

Once your application is received, your landlord must reply within 4 weeks (or 8 weeks if they’ve been your landlord for less than 3 years) to confirm whether you have the Right to Buy. If they reject your application, they must explain why.

If you do qualify, they will then send you a Section 125 notice, which is the formal offer to sell. This must be provided:

• Within 8 weeks for houses (where a freehold is being transferred)
• Within 12 weeks for flats or leasehold properties

This offer will include the property’s market value, the discount, any structural defects, and an estimate of the service charges over the next five years (if applicable).

Step 3: Decision Time

You’ll then have up to 12 weeks to decide whether to accept the offer. This is the key stage to seek legal advice. Once accepted, the process moves into a standard conveyancing transaction, but with some additional nuances specific to Right to Buy.

Time limits are strict. If you don’t respond in time, you may be sent a reminder (the RTB6 form), and failure to respond again could result in the application being withdrawn.

At Rowlinsons, we help you manage every stage of the process, making sure your application is submitted correctly, deadlines are met, and your legal rights are protected throughout.

Why Use a Solicitor for Your Right to Buy Purchase?

Although the Right to Buy scheme starts with a government application, the purchase itself follows the same legal process as any other property transaction. That means you’ll need a solicitor to carry out conveyancing, check the legal title, deal with your lender (if you’re using a mortgage), and manage the transfer of ownership.

Right to Buy purchases also come with additional considerations that require specific legal knowledge. These include:

• Reviewing your landlord’s formal offer (the Section 125 notice)
• Checking for future resale restrictions or service charge liabilities
• Advising on leasehold terms, which are common in flat purchases
• Making sure deadlines are met to avoid losing your discount

Mortgage lenders will also require searches and due diligence before releasing funds, so it’s important your solicitor is familiar with the scheme’s timeframes and conditions.

At Rowlinsons, we’ve helped many clients buy their home through Right to Buy. We handle the legal work efficiently and make sure your interests are protected throughout the process.