Your Guide to the Right to Buy - who can buy?

Who can buy?

You can buy your council home if you have been a secure tenant for at least two years in accommodation provided by:

•  Your present landlord (the Council)

•  Another local authority landlord

•  The armed forces

•  Other public sector bodies (see list on application form)

Tenancies of current or former spouses can also be counted in certain circumstances.

After 18th January 2005 you must have been a tenant of one of the above for at least 5 years, unless:

• Your tenancy began or was agreed before 18th January 2005
• You were a tenant of one of the above on that day and remained so until beginning your current tenancy

Who cannot buy?

You can not use your right to buy if:

• You have a possession order made by the court
• If you or the joint tenant is bankrupt, has a bankruptcy petition pending or has unfulfilled credit arrangements.
• If you or the joint tenant do not occupy the property as your only and principal home.
• If you have failed to pay rent for a period of four weeks after it was demanded.
• If you have been notified that the property will be demolished within 2 years.
• If you or any member of your household has been served with a demotion or suspension order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 (ASBA)
• If you are in breach of a Court Order requiring payment of rent arrears.

Can anyone else share the right to buy with me?

You may have up to 3 members of your family (who are not joint tenants) to share the Right to Buy but may only do so if:

• The family member is the spouse of the secure tenant, or
• The family member has been living in the property for a period of not less than 12 months before the right to buy application
• The landlord agrees

Your guide to the Right to Buy

What can you buy?

How much discount will I get?

How do I apply for the right to buy?

What happens next?
Selling your home

Request for application form and information pack