Right to Buy UK: Can You Buy Your Council House?

The Right to Buy scheme allows eligible council tenants in England to purchase their rented home at a substantial discount. It remains one of the most valuable financial opportunities available to social housing tenants — but eligibility rules are strict and the discounts come with conditions.

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What Is Right to Buy?

The Right to Buy scheme gives secure tenants of local authority (council) housing in England the legal right to buy their home at a discount to market value. The scheme has been in place since 1980 (Housing Act 1980) and is now governed by Part V of the Housing Act 1985.

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Who Is Eligible?

You can apply for Right to Buy if:

1. The property is your only or main home
2. The property is self-contained
3. You are a secure tenant of the council (not a fixed-term or introductory tenancy)
4. You have been a public sector tenant for at least 3 years — this does not need to be continuous and can include time as a tenant of a housing association or other public sector landlord

You can also buy jointly with:

• Your spouse or civil partner
• Up to 3 family members who have lived with you for the past 12 months

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The Discount

The discount depends on:

• How long you have been a public sector tenant (beyond the 3-year minimum)
• Whether the property is a house or flat

Houses:

• 35% discount after 3 years of qualifying tenancy
• Plus 1% for each additional year, up to a maximum of 70%

Flats:

• 50% discount after 3 years
• Plus 2% for each additional year, up to a maximum of 70%

Maximum discount (2025/26): £96,000 (or £127,900 in London).

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How to Apply

1. Complete an RTB1 notice (Right to Buy application form) — available on gov.uk
2. Submit it to your landlord (the council)
3. Your landlord has 4 weeks to confirm your eligibility (8 weeks if they have been your landlord for less than 3 years)
4. If eligible, your landlord must send you an offer notice (RTB2) within 8 weeks for a house (12 weeks for a flat), including the purchase price, discount, and details of the property
5. You have 12 weeks to accept or decline the offer

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Repaying the Discount: The Clawback Rules

If you sell your property within 5 years of purchase, you must repay some or all of the discount:

• Year 1: 100% of the discount
• Year 2: 80%
• Year 3: 60%
• Year 4: 40%
• Year 5: 20%
• After 5 years: No repayment required

Additionally, if you sell within 10 years of purchase, you must first offer the property back to the original landlord (or a nominated social landlord) at market value before selling on the open market. They have 8 weeks to decide.

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Right to Buy Does Not Apply If...

• Your property has been specifically exempted (e.g. sheltered housing for the elderly or disabled)
• You are in rent arrears — your landlord can delay the process
• Your home is due for demolition
• Your landlord is seeking possession
• You have been declared bankrupt

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Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

• Scotland: Right to Buy was abolished in Scotland in 2016
• Wales: Right to Buy was abolished in Wales in 2019
• Northern Ireland: A separate scheme operates (House Sales Scheme)

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Key Takeaways

• Right to Buy gives eligible council tenants the right to buy their home at up to 70% discount (subject to a maximum cap of £96,000/£127,900 in London)
• You must have been a public sector tenant for at least 3 years (not necessarily continuous)
• If you sell within 5 years, you must repay some or all of the discount
• Within 10 years, the original landlord has a first right of refusal
• Right to Buy no longer applies in Scotland or Wales