Right to Buy Support
Buying your council or housing-association home — done properly.
Reviewed by Sannah Khatoon — Litigation & Housing Disrepair Solicitor, SRA #654258 (Admitted 2018). Last reviewed 15 September 2026.
Right to Buy is a real opportunity, but the discounts and process are easy to get wrong. We guide eligible tenants through every legal step, from application to completion.
Your rights and the law
The Right to Buy lets many secure council tenants — and some housing-association tenants under the Preserved Right to Buy — purchase their home at a discount, under the Housing Act 1985. Eligibility depends mainly on how long you've held a public-sector tenancy. The landlord replies to your application (Form RTB1) with an offer notice setting out the price, the valuation and any terms, and you have rights to challenge a valuation you think is too high. Discount levels and the maximum cap are set by government and change from time to time, so we check the current figures rather than quote a number that may be out of date. A discount can have to be repaid in whole or part if you sell within an early period after buying. We guide eligible tenants through eligibility, the offer, the conveyancing and completion.
How we can help
- Eligibility and discount advice
- Reviewing the landlord's offer notice
- Conveyancing and completion
- Resolving disputes over valuation or terms
How the process works
- Check eligibility. We confirm whether you qualify — the type of tenancy, your qualifying period, and whether the Right to Buy or Preserved Right to Buy applies to your home.
- Review the offer notice. When the landlord's offer (the RTB2) arrives, we check the price, valuation and terms and advise whether to accept, negotiate or challenge the valuation.
- Do the conveyancing. We handle the legal purchase — searches, title, mortgage requirements and the transfer — and explain any conditions or restrictions on the property.
- Complete and protect you. We complete the purchase, register your ownership, and make sure you understand the discount-repayment period before you commit.
We work on a transparent fixed-fee basis for most housing matters, so you'll know the cost up front — and where a case can be run on a no win, no fee agreement (a CFA, usually with After the Event insurance), we'll explain whether that fits your situation. For urgent help, call 0203 051 7823.
Frequently asked questions
Am I eligible for the Right to Buy?
Generally you need to be a secure council tenant (or a qualifying housing-association tenant under the Preserved Right to Buy) and to have held a public-sector tenancy for a minimum qualifying period. There are exceptions — for example some properties for older or disabled people are excluded. We check your specific circumstances before you apply.
How much discount will I get?
The discount depends on how long you've been a public-sector tenant and whether it's a house or a flat, up to a maximum cap set by government. Those figures are changed by government from time to time, so we confirm the current discount and cap that apply to you rather than rely on an old number.
Can I challenge the price the council puts on my home?
Yes. The offer notice must state the value the landlord has placed on the property, and if you think it's too high you have a right to have the valuation reviewed by the district valuer. We advise on the process and whether a challenge is worthwhile in your case.
Do I have to pay the discount back if I sell?
You may. If you sell within the early 'discount repayment' period after buying, you can have to repay all or part of the discount, on a sliding scale. There can also be a right of first refusal to your former landlord for a longer period. We make sure you understand these before completion.
Can I use the Right to Buy with a partner or family member?
Sometimes. You may be able to share the Right to Buy with a spouse, civil partner or certain family members who live with you, which can also affect the qualifying period and mortgage. We advise on who can join the purchase and the implications.
What happens after my application is accepted?
The landlord issues an offer notice (Form RTB2) with the price and terms, you arrange any mortgage, and the legal conveyancing follows — searches, title checks and the transfer — through to completion and registration of your ownership. We handle the legal steps and keep it moving.
Sources & further reading
This page is general information about the law in England & Wales, not legal advice. Legislation and figures can change — for advice on your circumstances, contact us. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.