Right to Acquire

Who is Right to Acquire for?

You may be eligible for the Right to Acquire scheme if you’re a housing association tenant living in a home that was built or bought with public funds (usually after 1 April 1997).

How much is the Right to Acquire discount?

• A fixed amount between £9,000 and £16,000 depending on your local authority
• Check the discount available in your area

What is the eligibility criteria for Right to Acquire? 

• To qualify, you’ll need to have been a public sector tenant for at least three years
• Your tenancy must be secure, assured, or qualifying assured shorthold

Note: Some properties (e.g. rural, specialist, or supported housing) 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

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

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.

​Home Group work with *The Mortgage People an independent advisory service who specialise in affordable home ownership schemes. They work with all lenders and have experienced advisors who understand Right to Acquire, so you’ll have expert guidance every step of the way. 

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

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.

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.

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

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

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. 

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.