right to buy (rtb) & right to acquire (crtb)

Who is eligible?

  • if you are a secure tenant or assured tenant with PRTB status who has spent a minimum total period of two years with a public sector landlord (or five years if your tenancy commenced on or after 18 January 2005), and
  • if you occupy your house as your only or principal home, or
  • if you are the joint tenant of a tenancy with a person who satisfies all of the above, or
  • if you were assigned the tenancy by a member of your family who immediately before the assignment satisfied all of the above, or
  • if you became the tenant under divorce legislation in place of a person satisfying all of the above, or
  • if you are a family member of a previous sole tenant who satisfied all of the above who inherited the tenancy, or
  • if you are a former spouse or co-habitee of a deceased tenant who acquired the RTB by succession.

You will not have the RTB / CRTB if:

  • your home is let to you in connection with your employment, or
  • your home is sheltered housing for older people, those with physical or mental health issues, or
  • your home was first let before 1 January 1990 and has features particularly suitable for elderly persons (but not in a group), or
  • you have been served with a notice of intention to demolish your home, or
  • you are or are about to be declared bankrupt or you have an arrangement in place with your creditors, or
  • a court order is made obliging you to vacate your home by a specific date or the terms of a suspended court order are breached, or
  • you are the subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order and your tenancy is demoted.

discounts

The discount depends on how long you have been a tenant (including any time spent as a tenant with another housing association, local authority, armed forces etc). The discount can be no more than 60% of the open market value (or 70% for a flat). The longer you have been a tenant, the more discount you get, but whatever percentage you are eligible for, your discount cannot be greater than £75,000.

Right to acquire - Who is eligible?

You may exercise the RTA if:

  • you are an assured or secure tenant who has spent a minimum total period of two years with a public sector landlord (or five years if your tenancy commenced on or after 18 January 2005), and
  • you occupy your house as your only or principal home, and
  • your home is a self-contained property, which was built or purchased by a registered provider, funded on or after 1 April 1997 through social housing grant. A property transferred from a local council to a registered provider on or after that date will also qualify for the scheme.

Further information

We can provide free advice on buying your home. If you are approached by private companies or individuals with offers of help, check out what they will gain from it. They may help submit an application, but may make a charge for this service. Please note that you can apply directly to Home Group, at no cost to you if you qualify for the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire. Help will be given if needed, to complete the form.

If you have any questions, need further explanation about anything or would like to apply please call Anne Douse, Home Group Sales on (0191) 290 7729 (office hours are from 9am - 5pm).