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Right to Buy
Right to Buy allows some customers to buy their home at a discount.
If you're a secure tenant or were one when your home was transferred to a housing association, the Right to Buy scheme could be your chance to step into homeownership with a significant discount.
(Please note: Customers in Scotland cannot buy through the Right to Buy scheme as the scheme ended in 2016.)
What is Right to Buy?
Right to Buy is a government-backed initiative that allows eligible tenants to purchase their home at a reduced price. It’s designed to help long-term tenants become homeowners, offering a meaningful discount based on how long you’ve rented from a public sector landlord.
The Right to Buy process
Checking your eligibility for Right to Buy
You may be eligible for the Right to Buy scheme if you’ve held a secure tenancy with a council, or if you’re a housing association tenant who has a ‘Preserved’ Right to Buy. This preserved right usually applies if your home was originally owned by the council and then transferred to another landlord while you were living there.
How much is the discount for Right to Buy?
- Up to 70% of your property’s value
- Or the regional maximum discount (£16,000 - £38,000)
Check your area discount.
Are you eligible for right to buy?
- To qualify, you’ll need to have been a public sector tenant for at least three years
- The property must be your only or main residence
Note: Some homes (e.g. sheltered housing or those scheduled for demolition) are excluded.
What to expect
- We’ll review your tenancy type, duration, and property eligibility
- This can take up to three weeks
- If you’re eligible, we will send you an application pack
- If not, we’ll explain why and offer guidance on what you can do next
Your application pack
We will send you an application pack with the following:
- Application form
- Property information form
- Information guide
- Estimated value of your home, including the discounted purchase price
Our team will be ready to review your application as soon as it arrives.
Double-check your form and supporting documents before sending them back to help things move smoothly.
What to expect
- Your case handler will guide you through each step. We’re here for you if you’d like to discuss anything in detail, you can book a convenient time to talk to us
- To avoid delays, please complete all fields. even if the answer is “not applicable”
- Every applicant must be at least 18 and complete an ID check. This will be carried out via the Credas digital platform, (or manually if needed)
- If you’re applying with others, make sure to include each person’s email and mobile number
Your finances
Take some time to review your finances and consider what home ownership will mean for your
day-to-day life. This isn’t just about affordability; it’s about making sure this choice supports your
long-term goals and lifestyle.
Here’s how we can help you feel prepared:
- Speak to a mortgage lender or an *independent financial adviser to explore your options and understand what your monthly payments might look like
- If you’re planning to use a mortgage, getting early advice can give you clarity and confidence about your next steps
- Thinking about your finances? Use our free budget calculator.
Reviewing your application
When your forms arrive
- We’ll review your application and property information form to ensure everything is fully completed and signed
- If anything is missing, don’t worry, we’ll guide you on how to fix it
What to expect
- If any details are incomplete, we’ll contact you or return the application with clear instructions for correction
- Each applicant will receive a link to complete an online ID verification through Credas
- We’ll confirm by email, once all ID checks are complete
- You’ll next hear from us within four weeks (or eight weeks if Home Group has been your landlord for less than three years) with the formal outcome of your application
Decision on your application
After reviewing your application in full, we’ll confirm whether your application has been approved.
What to expect
- If your application is approved, we’ll next arrange a date for a professional independent valuer to attend and carry out a valuation of your home
- If your application is not approved, we’ll clearly explain the reasons and guide you on the next steps and options available to you
- You’ll receive a formal notification of the decision by email or post.
If you have any questions about the decision, your case handler can provide further explanation and support.
Valuation of your home
To prepare your formal offer, we must first arrange an independent valuation of your home.
What to expect
- A professional independent surveyor will assess your home’s market value
- The surveyor will contact you directly to arrange a convenient time to visit
- Any approved improvements you’ve made will be excluded from the valuation
- You won’t receive the valuation report itself. Instead, it will be used internally to prepare your formal offer
- Once the valuation is complete, your offer will be prepared and sent to you within eight weeks for a house, or 12 weeks for a flat
When your application is approved, we’ll confirm the date that your formal offer is due by.
Formal offer
We’ll work out your purchase price, apply any discount you’re entitled to, and include details about service charges and planned works, if applicable. Some of this information may come from other departments.
What to expect
- Your offer will include all the key details you need to help you decide, along with clear guidance on what happens next
- You’ll have 12 weeks to accept the offer. Plenty of time to feel confident about your choice
- If you disagree with the price, you can request a second valuation by the District Valuer
- If you choose not to proceed, simply return the cancellation form to close down your application
Accepting the offer
As soon as we receive your completed acceptance form and solicitor details, we’ll instruct our in-house legal team to begin the process with your solicitor.
What to expect
- You’ll need to complete the acceptance form, with our offer, within 12 weeks of receiving it
- We’ll check your source and proof of funds, such as a mortgage offer and or evidence of savings
- If you’re receiving gifted funds, the donor will need to complete an ID check and provide us with source and proof of funds
- Once everything is ready, our legal team will start the conveyance process with your solicitor
- Your solicitor will lead this stage, but your case handler will still be available for support whenever you need it
Working with your solicitor
Once your solicitor confirms they’re acting for you, our legal team will prepare and send them the required documents and respond to any enquiries they may have.
What to expect
- Your solicitor may raise enquiries, and our legal team will respond directly. Your case handler will keep you updated
- This stage can take up to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the enquiries raised by your solicitor
- Once a completion date is agreed, we’ll issue a completion statement to your solicitor, detailing the purchase price, rent and service charge up to the date of completion, and any legal fees
Stay in touch with both your solicitor and case handler. Regular communication can help everything move quickly and smoothly.
Completion, you're now a homeowner!
We’re thrilled to have supported you on this journey. Here’s what happens next:
- Your solicitor will register your ownership with the Land Registry
- If you’ll be paying service charges, a new account will be set up, and you’ll be contacted to arrange the payment method
- If no service charges apply, we’ll close your existing account
- Keep all your documents safe and feel free to reach out if you have questions about your new responsibilities
- If you sell your home within 10 years, please contact us first
Owning your home is a huge milestone; take a moment to celebrate! We’re here if you need any support in the future.
Right to Buy FAQs
Can I make a joint application?
Yes! You can apply jointly with:
- Anyone named on your tenancy agreement
- Your spouse or civil partner
- Up to three family members who’ve lived in your home for at least 12 months (even if they’re not named on the tenancy, as long as it’s their main home)
Can someone else fund the purchase for me?
Yes, someone else can provide the money, but the property will still be in the name of the eligible tenant(s) and applicants. They won’t legally own it.
I’m on benefits, can I still apply?
Yes, you can! But owning a home means extra costs, mortgage payments, repairs, insurance, and bills.
Also, buying your home may affect your benefits (e.g., you won’t be eligible for housing benefit).
Tip: Get independent financial advice before applying.
I don’t know how much my home is worth. How do I find out?
If you're eligible for the scheme, we’ll send you an application pack that includes an estimated valuation of your home. This figure can help you start conversations with a mortgage broker or lender to explore what’s affordable for you.
Some lenders may even allow you to use your Right to Buy discount as part, or all, of your deposit, which can make securing a mortgage more achievable.
You can also use Zoopla’s home value tool to get an estimate of your home’s value.
If your application is approved, a qualified independent surveyor will assess your home to determine its current market value.
What if I’ve made improvements to my home?
If you’ve upgraded your home, that’s great, but not all improvements affect the valuation used in your Right to Buy application.
To make sure any improvements are considered they must have been approved in writing by Home Group before the work was carried out.
Approved improvements may be excluded from the valuation provided by the surveyor, but we deduct the added value, not what you spent.
Keep in mind: General maintenance or redecoration (like painting or new carpets) usually doesn’t increase your home’s value.
Improvements that can add value include things like:
- Installing central heating
- Adding double glazing
- Fitting a new kitchen
- Upgrading to a modern bathroom suite
This isn’t a complete list, but it gives you a good idea of what might count.
Will Home Group still carry out repairs or improvements while my application is active?
While your Right to Buy application is in progress, we’ll continue to carry out emergency repairs only. This includes urgent issues like a broken toilet, a leaking roof, or anything that compromises the safety or security of your home. Please report any emergencies to us as usual.
We won’t carry out routine repairs or improvement works while your application is active. This is because any changes could affect the valuation of your property during the buying process.
What additional costs may be involved when buying my home?
Buying a home is a big step, and while the property price is the main cost, there are a few other expenses to keep in mind. These can vary depending on your circumstances, but may include:
- Stamp Duty – a government tax on property purchases (not everyone pays this, depending on the property value and your situation)
- Solicitors’ fees – for handling the legal side of your purchase
- Survey costs – to assess the condition and value of your home
- Mortgage arrangement fees – if you're taking out a mortgage, your lender may charge a fee to set it up
It’s a good idea to speak with a mortgage advisor or financial planner to get a full picture of what costs to expect and how to budget for them.
What changes when I become a homeowner?
Becoming a homeowner is a big milestone, and it comes with exciting new responsibilities and freedoms.
Here’s what to expect:
- You’ll no longer pay rent to Home Group. Instead, you’ll own your home and be responsible for things like mortgage payments (if applicable), insurance, and maintenance. If there are shared areas, you may pay service charges to Home Group.
- Want to redecorate, renovate, or improve your space? Go for it! As the owner, you have the freedom to shape your home your way. If you're a leaseholder, you’ll need permission for major changes.
- Repairs and maintenance become your responsibility, so it’s important to budget for things like plumbing, electrics, and general upkeep.
See the homeowner section of our website for further information on managing your home.
Important: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured against it.
What happens if I want to sell my home?
It depends on when you sell:
- If you sell within five years, you’ll need to repay some or all of the discount. You’ll also need to offer the property back to Home Group before selling on the open market
- If you sell after five years, you won’t need to repay the discount. However, you’ll still need to offer the property back to us until you’ve owned it for at least 10 years
I’m not quite ready to buy my home, how can I work towards it?
That’s totally okay! Planning ahead is a smart move, and there are steps you can take now to get financially prepared for homeownership.
- Start by speaking with a financial advisor or mortgage broker. They’ll help you understand your current financial situation and what needs to change to make buying your home affordable
- We recommend chatting with a specialist advisor.
- Not quite ready to speak to someone? No problem. If you’d like to get a better handle on your finances first, try our online budgeting tool to see where you stand and what you might need to adjust
What is the Voluntary Right to Buy?
Voluntary Right to Buy (VRTB) was introduced in 2015 as a way to extend homeownership opportunities to housing association tenants with assured tenancies. Unlike the statutory Right to Buy, this scheme was optional for housing associations.
A pilot ran in the Midlands from 2018 to 2021, allowing selected tenants to purchase their homes at discounted rates.
In 2022, the government announced plans to expand the scheme nationally. However, following the change in government in 2024, the current Labour administration reduced Right to Buy discounts, bringing them closer to those offered under the Right to Acquire scheme.
At present, there is no confirmed national rollout of Voluntary Right to Buy.