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Right to Buy

The Right to Buy scheme gives council tenants a chance to buy the home they rent from us at a discounted price. Find out how.

Selling or renting your home out

Selling

If you sell your Right to Buy home within 5 years, you'll have to pay some or all of your discount back.

The percentage you repay will depend on both:

  • the amount of discount you received when you bought your home

  • how soon you sell it

After 5 years you can sell your home without having to pay back any money.

Example

Your Right to Buy home was valued at £350,000 when you first bought it. 

You received a discount of £136,400 which is 39% of the value.

When you sell, if your home is valued at £450,000, then 39% of this is £175,500.

If you sell your home within 5 years you would have to pay us back a percentage of £175,500.

The table shows the amount you would pay depending on the year (or part year) you sell.

Year 

Discount you must repay  

Amount you must repay  

100% 

£175,500

80% 

£140,400

60% 

£105,300

40% 

£70,200 

20%

£35,100 

6 0% £0

 

 

 

Renting

If you plan to rent your home out once you've bought it, you must:

  • check if your mortgage provider allows this
  • check the terms of your lease, or transfer of freehold 
  • not use it as a business, for example letting it out using Airbnb
  • be a responsible landlord, if allowed