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Right to Buy
Right to Buy allows some customers to buy their home at a discount.
Right to Buy government announcement (June 2022)
The Right to Buy scheme is not currently open to all housing association customers.
However, in June 2022 the government announced potential changes to Right to Buy. They are now looking at how it can be extended to all housing association customers in the future.
We'll update you here when we understand how this announcement affects our customers.
Right to Buy is one of a number of schemes that can help you buy a home. We are here to advise our customers on the best options available. Just complete the online form and we'll be back in touch.
Customers in Scotland cannot buy through the Right to Buy scheme as the scheme ended in 2016.
In June 2022 the government proposed changes to Right to Buy, this means the information below will be subject to change
What is Right to Buy?
If you rent an ex-council house with Home Group as a secure tenant or an assured tenant with a protected Right to Buy, then you may be able to buy your home at a discounted rate under the government’s Right to Buy scheme.
Who is Right to Buy for?
The scheme may apply to you if your home was owned and managed by a local council when your tenancy started and it was transferred to Home Group while you lived there. You also may be eligible if you’ve been renting your home from us since before 15th January 1989.
How much is the discount for Right to Buy?
The discount for Right to Buy can be sizeable - up to £96,010 to be exact (or up to £127,940 in London). But of course, this will depend on the number of years you’ve been living in your current home and whether it’s a flat or a house.
Do you qualify for right to buy?
- You’re a secure tenant or an assured tenant with a protected Right to Buy
- You’ve had a public sector landlord (council or Home Group) landlord for at least three years
- Your home is your only residence
- Your home is a self-contained property
Speak with our team
Want to buy your Home Group home but not sure what options are available to you? Complete the online form and our team will get back in touch.
Right to Buy FAQs
Can I make a joint application for Right to Buy?
If you’re eligible, you may be able to buy with someone who is on the tenancy agreement with you, your spouse or civil partner or up to three family members who have been living in your home for at least 12 months before you apply (they don’t need to share your tenancy but it must be their main home).
I don’t know how much my home is worth. How can I find out?
As part of the Right to Buy process, an independent qualified surveyor will value your property to determine the current market value of your home.
Will I need to pay back the discount if I sell my home?
It depends. If you sell your home less than five years after buying through Right to Buy then you will need to repay some (or all) of your discount. But if you sell after those first five years then you won’t need to repay any of the discount.
What is Voluntary Right to Buy
In 2015 the government talked about extending the Right to Buy scheme on a voluntary basis, to eligible Housing Association tenants with an assured tenancy.
A pilot was run in 2018 in the Midlands, and the government said it would assess this pilot before deciding next steps.
There is a summary of what has happened so far on the UK Parliament website: a voluntary Right to Buy for housing association tenants.
You can also read an evaluation of the Midlands pilot was published in February 2021.
In June 2022 the government announced potential changes to the Right to Buy scheme for housing association customers. We'll update you here when we know how this affects our customers.