Right to Buy (RTB) allows some council tenants to buy their council home at a discount. You may be eligible to buy your property under the RTB scheme if:
- the property is your only or principal home
- you hold a secure tenancy with us
- you have been a tenant for at least three years.
You can check your eligibility on the own your home website. You can only apply for a RTB if the property is your main home. If your situation changes, you must contact us right away.
Right To Buy discounts are changing
The government announced in the Autumn 2024 Budget that Right to Buy (RTB) discounts will be reduced from Thursday 21 November 2024.
- applications received by 20 November 2024 will be calculated with the current RTB discount
- applications received from 21 November 2024 will receive the new reduced discount level set by the government for the region
Apply for Right to Buy
To start the process, you should first complete and submit a Right To Buy (RTB) application form:
After we have received your Right to Buy (RTB) application you will get:
- a response within 28 days
- your Notice of Offer Price within 8 weeks for a house or 12 weeks for a flat or maisonette (from the date of admittance)
When we have provided your offer, you will have 12 weeks to accept or decline your Notice of Offer Price:
- if you accept, it will take several months for the conveyancing process to be completed
- if you decline, your council tenancy will continue as normal. You can reapply in the future if you wish
You will need to organise your legal representative and funding
Declaration forms
During the application process, you will need to complete some declaration forms. Each applicant will need to confirm:
- they have never been bankrupt
- they do not have a bankruptcy petition pending against them
- the property is the only or principal home under the RTB application.
You may be prosecuted if you withhold information. Or, if you give false or misleading information.
Please read the declaration forms. Ensure you understand them before you sign them. We will help you with any questions you may have at your appointment.
How much discount can I get?
The amount of discount you are eligible for will depend on:
- how long you have been a tenant
- where you live
- and the type of property you are buying (whether it is a flat or a house).
The most discount you can qualify for in London is £136,400. If you sell your home within five years you will have to pay back some of the discount.
Can I buy my home with a family member?
You may be able to buy your home with a family member. This is as long as they can prove they have lived in the property for at least the last 12 months.
Can I buy a flat or maisonette?
If you are buying a flat or maisonette you will have to pay service charges to the council. This is explained in our RTB booklet. An estimate of these charges will be sent to you with your valuation reports.
How can I find out the value of my property?
You can find out your home's value to see if you can afford it. You can use our RTB calculator.