Right to Buy: How to Buy Your Social Home
The Right to Buy scheme gives eligible council tenants in England the right to purchase their home at a discount. Following reforms in 2025 to 2026 the discount is now much smaller than before: it starts at 5% of the property's value, rises by 1% for each extra year as a tenant, and is capped at 15% of the value or a regional cash limit (between £16,000 and £38,000), whichever is lower. Housing association tenants may have the Right to Acquire, which offers a smaller discount. This guide explains eligibility, discounts, the application process, and important pitfalls to avoid.
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England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Who can use Right to Buy?
In England, you can use Right to Buy if:
- ✓You're a secure council tenant
- ✓The property is your only or main home
- ✓You've had a public sector tenancy for at least 3 years (doesn't have to be continuous)
- ✓You're not subject to a possession order or bankruptcy restrictions
- ✓The property is not specifically exempt (sheltered housing, some rural properties, etc.)
How much discount can you get?
Right to Buy discounts were significantly reduced by reforms in 2025–2026. The discount is now a percentage of the property's value, based on how long you've been a public sector tenant:
| Element | Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting discount | 5% of value | Once you meet the minimum tenancy period |
| Each additional year | +1% of value | For each further year as a public sector tenant |
| Maximum discount | 15% of value | Or your area's cash cap (£16,000 to £38,000), whichever is lower |
Maximum cash discount: between £16,000 and £38,000 depending on your area (for example, £16,000 across most of London). Check GOV.UK for your area's current cap.
The application process
Important restrictions and repayment rules
- ✓If you sell within 5 years, you must repay some or all of the discount (on a sliding scale)
- ✓Year 1: 100% of discount repaid; Year 2: 80%; Year 3: 60%; Year 4: 40%; Year 5: 20%
- ✓If you sell in the first 10 years, you must first offer the property back to the council (right of first refusal)
- ✓Some properties in rural areas have permanent restrictions on resale
- ✓You cannot use Right to Buy if you have a demolition or possession order against the property
Right to Acquire, housing association tenants
Some housing association tenants have the Right to Acquire, similar to Right to Buy but with a smaller discount (£9,000 to £16,000 depending on location).
- ✓Must have been a public sector tenant for at least 3 years
- ✓The housing association property must have been funded through public money or transferred from a council
- ✓Not all housing association properties qualify
- ✓The process is similar to Right to Buy, form RTB1 starts the application
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Right to Buy?
You can apply for Right to Buy if you have been a public sector tenant (council or some housing associations) for at least 3 years (not necessarily continuously) and the property is your main home. Joint applications are allowed with up to 3 family members who have lived there for at least 12 months, even if they are not on the tenancy.
How much discount will I get under Right to Buy?
Following reforms in 2025 to 2026, Right to Buy discounts are now much lower than before. The discount starts at 5% of the property's value and rises by 1% for each additional year you have been a public sector tenant, up to a maximum of 15% of the value or a regional cash cap (between £16,000 and £38,000 depending on your area), whichever is lower. The property's value is assessed at the time of your application, check GOV.UK for the current cap in your area.
Is Right to Buy available in Scotland and Wales?
No. The Right to Buy scheme has been abolished in both Scotland (since 2016) and Wales (since 2019). In Northern Ireland, a similar scheme, the House Sales Scheme, continues to operate for Housing Executive tenants. If you are in Scotland or Wales, you cannot use Right to Buy to purchase your social housing property.
What happens if I sell a Right to Buy property?
If you sell within 5 years of buying, you must repay a proportion of the discount: 100% if you sell in year 1, reducing by 20% each year. After 5 years there is no repayment obligation. In England, if you sell within 10 years you must first offer it back to the council or a local housing provider at the market rate.
Can my Right to Buy application be refused?
Yes. Your landlord can refuse if: the property is not your only or main home, it is used for special purposes (sheltered housing, etc.), there are possession proceedings against you, or you are subject to a bankruptcy order. Your landlord must respond within 4 weeks (8 weeks for housing associations). You can appeal a refusal to the County Court.
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