Question 1

Who qualifies for Right to Buy?

Accepted Answer

You qualify if you are a secure tenant of a council or certain housing association properties in England and have been a public sector tenant for at least 10 years (changed from 3 years on 21 November 2024, not necessarily with the same landlord or continuously). The property must be your main home. Some properties are excluded — recently built homes, those designed for the elderly or disabled, and some homes transferred to housing associations. Your landlord will confirm eligibility when you apply.

Question 2

How is the Right to Buy discount calculated?

Accepted Answer

For applications after 21 November 2024, the rules changed significantly. The discount starts at 5% of the property value and increases by 1% for each additional year of tenancy, up to a maximum of 15%. This applies to both houses and flats (the old separate rules — 35–70% for houses and 50–70% for flats — no longer apply). The actual discount is also capped at the regional maximum (£16,000–£38,000 depending on where you live), whichever is lower.

Question 3

What if I sell the property within 5 years?

Accepted Answer

You must repay a proportion of the discount. If you sell in year 1, you repay 100%. After that, the repayment reduces by 20% each full year: 80% in year 2, 60% in year 3, 40% in year 4, 20% in year 5. After 5 years, no repayment is required. The repayment is based on the discount as a percentage of the current sale price — so if the property has risen in value, you may repay more in cash than you originally received.

Question 4

Can the discount be reduced by my landlord?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If your landlord spent money building or improving the property in the last 30 years (for applications after 21 November 2024), the discount can be reduced or eliminated. Your landlord must explain this in the Section 125 notice they send after you apply. If you disagree with their valuation or discount calculation, you have the right to appeal and request an independent valuation from the Valuation Office Agency.

Question 5

Can I buy jointly with a family member?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can share the Right to Buy with up to 3 family members who have lived in the property as their main home for the past 12 months, or with someone jointly named on the tenancy. The discount is based on the lead tenant's years as a public sector tenant. Buying jointly may also help with mortgage affordability since both incomes can be included in the lender's assessment.

Question 6

Can I get a mortgage for a Right to Buy purchase?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most high-street lenders offer Right to Buy mortgages. You can often use your RTB discount as the deposit — if the discount is large enough, you may be able to buy with no cash deposit, since many lenders accept the RTB discount in lieu of a conventional one. Mortgage affordability is assessed on your income and the purchase price (market value minus discount), not the full market value.

Question 7

What is the Right to Buy application process?

Accepted Answer

Apply to your landlord using the RTB1 form, available at GOV.UK. Your landlord has 4 weeks to confirm whether you qualify (8 weeks if they have been your landlord for less than 3 years). They then issue an offer notice (Section 125) with the property valuation and your discount. You have 12 weeks to accept or decline. If you disagree with the valuation, you can request an independent review from the Valuation Office Agency.

Right to Buy Calculator UK 2026