Your home could be a valuable asset for you and your family and an investment for the future. Homeownership could give you more freedom to make the changes you want to your home. This could be your first step on the property ladder. The Right to Buy scheme was introduced in 1980 and gives qualifying social tenants in England the right to buy their home at a discount.
Who is the Right to Buy available to?
Secure tenants of both local authorities and non-charitable housing associations have the right to buy if they have been public sector tenants for at least three years. The Right to Buy discount increases with the length of tenancy up to a maximum limit. If you are looking to purchase a house, after three years’ tenancy, the discount is set at 35% of the property value plus 1% for each year beyond the qualifying period, up to a maximum of a 70% discount. If you are interested in a flat, the discount starts at 50% and rises to 2% each year up to a maximum of 70%. The top discount under the Right to Buy in England has also been increased. You could now get a maximum discount of up to £77,900, or £103,900 if you live in London. Under plans announced by the government, this amount will now increase in line with inflation.
Right to Buy Agent Service
The government’s Right to Buy Agent Service also offers free and impartial advice on Right to Buy and, if you decide home ownership is the right choice for you, our advisers can help you through the process of buying your home. We work closely with the Right to Buy Agent Service and are on hand to provide expert advice on the right mortgage product to assist with your purchase.
Our advisers can help you by confirming your eligibility for the scheme and talking you through the process of buying your home.
Remember, buying your home is a big decision and a commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The responsibilities, costs and financial commitments that ownership brings need to be thought about carefully, so you should always get impartial financial and legal advice before buying.