Right To Buy Purchases
The Right To Buy scheme allows tenants in council homes or, sometimes, in housing associations to purchase their home at a discounted price. Contact Rowlinsons Solicitors for expert legal support throughout the process.
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Thinking about buying the home you already live in? If you’re a long-term council or housing association tenant, the Right to Buy scheme could be an affordable way to do just that.
If you're currently renting your home from a local authority or housing association, the Right to Buy scheme could give you the chance to purchase your property at a discounted price. It’s a valuable opportunity to take your first step onto the property ladder, but it comes with important legal and financial considerations that shouldn’t be overlooked.
At Rowlinsons, our specialist Right to Buy conveyancing solicitors have helped many clients across England to successfully buy their council homes. We’ll guide you through the process from start to finish, making sure everything is handled properly and within the required legal timeframes.
The application process, discount calculations, and legal obligations under the scheme can feel overwhelming without the right advice. That’s where we come in. We’ll explain your options clearly, ensure your interests are protected, and manage the legal side of your purchase with efficiency and care.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to secure your long-term future in your current home, our team will support you every step of the way. With Rowlinsons, you’ll have trusted legal experts by your side, helping you buy with confidence.
The Right to Buy scheme allows eligible council and some housing association tenants in England to purchase their home at a discounted price. First introduced by the Government in the 1980s, it remains a popular route into homeownership for long-term tenants.
If you're approved under the scheme, you'll receive a discount on the market value of the property you already live in. The longer you’ve been a public sector tenant, the larger the discount you could receive.
The scheme mainly applies to secure tenants of local authorities. In some cases, it also applies to housing association tenants through what’s known as the Preserved Right to Buy, which may apply if your home was previously owned by the council before being transferred to a housing association.
There are also similar options, including the Right to Acquire and the Voluntary Right to Buy (which has been piloted in limited areas). These offer different levels of discount and eligibility.
While the scheme can be a valuable opportunity, it’s important to understand the legal and financial implications before going ahead. Our team at Rowlinsons can advise you on whether you qualify and guide you through the entire process.
To qualify for the Right to Buy scheme in England, you must meet certain eligibility criteria set by the government. These rules are designed to ensure that the scheme benefits long-term tenants of public sector housing who use the property as their main home.
You may be eligible to apply if:
If your home was once owned by the council but is now managed by a housing association, you may still qualify under the Preserved Right to Buy. If not, you might be eligible for the Right to Acquire, a similar scheme with different criteria and discount levels.
You usually won’t qualify if:
Eligibility will usually depend on the terms of your lease, whether the tenancy is protected under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, and whether the landlord has grounds to oppose renewal. In practice, the landlord’s position will often determine whether a renewal can proceed, so it is sensible to check your lease carefully and understand where you stand before moving forward. Our team at Rowlinsons Solicitors is always available to provide practical legal advice at any step of the process.
Can I apply jointly under the Right to Buy scheme?
Yes, you can apply jointly with up to three family members who have lived with you as their main home for at least 12 months, even if they’re not listed on the tenancy agreement. You can also apply with a spouse or civil partner who lives with you.
Will I still need a solicitor for a Right to Buy purchase?
Yes. Although the scheme begins with an application to your landlord, the purchase itself is a legal transaction and requires full conveyancing. Your solicitor will review the offer, carry out searches, liaise with your mortgage lender if needed, and ensure all legal protections are in place before completion.
Are there restrictions after I buy through Right to Buy?
If you sell your property within 5 years, you may need to repay some or all of the discount you received. In addition, if you sell within 10 years, you must first offer the property back to your former landlord before selling it on the open market.
Can I make changes to the property after buying?
Yes, once you own the property, you can make alterations or improvements, subject to planning permission and any leasehold restrictions. Flats, in particular, may require consent from the freeholder for structural changes.
What happens if I decide not to go ahead?
You can withdraw from the purchase at any time before contracts are exchanged. There’s no penalty for changing your mind, but you must let your landlord and solicitor know promptly to avoid delays or unnecessary costs.
Are there restrictions if I sell the property later?
Yes. If you sell within five years of buying under the Right to Buy scheme, you’ll have to repay some or all of the discount. The amount reduces each year: 100% in year 1, 80% in year 2, down to 20% in year 5. If you sell within ten years, you must first offer the property back to your former landlord.
What if I am not eligible for Right to Buy?
You may still qualify for Preserved Right to Buy or the Right to Acquire, depending on your landlord and tenancy history. We can review your situation and explain any alternative options available to you.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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).
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.
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:
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.
Buying your home through the Right to Buy scheme is a significant step, and the right legal support can make the process much smoother. At Rowlinsons, we have extensive experience helping council and housing association tenants complete their Right to Buy purchase with confidence.
Our service is award-winning and backed by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation, reflecting our high standards across all residential property transactions. We offer clear, fixed-fee pricing from the outset, so you’ll know exactly what to expect with no hidden costs.
Many of our clients are first-time buyers. We explain the process in plain language and keep you updated throughout, ensuring you feel supported from start to finish. Our team understands the specific legal considerations that come with Right to Buy, including Section 125 notices, leasehold terms, and resale conditions.
With offices in Cheshire and clients across England and Wales, we combine local knowledge with national reach. Whether you're just starting your application or ready to proceed with your purchase, Rowlinsons will protect your interests every step of the way.
At Rowlinsons, we’re proud to be one of the leading firms of Residential Conveyancing Solicitors, recognised for our award-winning client service and clear, practical advice.
If you’re considering buying your council or housing association home under the Right to Buy scheme, our experienced team of Solicitors in Runcorn are here to support you from application to completion. Whether you’re just exploring your options or ready to move forward, we’ll help you understand your rights, meet important deadlines, and secure your purchase with confidence.
With Lexcel accreditation for service excellence and a strong reputation for handling Right to Buy purchases across England and Wales, we provide trusted advice tailored to your circumstances.
From our offices in Frodsham and Sutton Weaver, we work with clients throughout Warrington, Widnes, St Helens, Chester, Northwich, Wrexham, North Wales and nationwide, offering local knowledge with national reach.
We’re here to protect your interests, every step of the way.
For a free, no obligation quote please call us or click here for an instant online quote.
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