The Right to Buy (external link) is a government scheme allowing secure council tenants to buy their council house or flat. 'Your right to buy your home: a guide (external link)' provides full details about the scheme.
What is changing?
The Government is reforming the Right to Buy scheme. Reforms may include:
- Increasing the eligibility period from 3 to 10 years of public sector tenancy
- Introducing a new discount structure, starting at 5% of the property’s value and rising by 1% for each additional year of tenancy, capped at 15% or the cash discount cap, whichever is lower
- Exempting newly built social and affordable homes from the scheme for 35 years
- Introducing exemptions from the scheme for homes in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and areas designated as rural
- Preventing repeat use of the scheme, subject to specified exceptions
- Preventing existing residential property owners from buying under the scheme, subject to specified exceptions
- Exempting council homes let at market rent
- Increasing the discount repayment period if the property is resold from five to 10 years
- Extending the former landlord's right of first refusal when the property is resold from 10 years to an indefinite period
The above changes are currently progressing through the House of Commons and are expected to be approved and implemented in spring 2027.
Please see Right to Buy reforms: information for tenants (external link) for more details.
Until the changes happen, who can apply?
You are most likely to be eligible if you are a secure council tenant and have spent 3 years or more as a public sector tenant (please note that this 3-year period does not need to be continuous). To class as a public sector tenant your landlord must be a public body such as the council, a housing association or government department.
You must also have no legal issues with debt or outstanding possession orders to be eligible. It is important to be aware that some homes are exempt from this scheme and eligibility will have to be confirmed by your landlord as part of the initial application process.
Is this right for me?
You must remember that buying a home is big commitment and long term investment. To decide if buying your home is right for you, you need to consider if you can afford it as mortgage repayments are not the only costs you will be responsible for, especially if it is a leasehold flat (external link) (as you may have service charges to pay).
To help you reach your decision the government has a team of independent advisors (external link) who are there to help you make the right choice.
How do I apply?
If you think the Right to Buy is right for you, you will need to:
Alternatively, you can post the application and ID copies to Right to Buy Team, Wigan Council, PO Box 100, Wigan, WN1 3DS or contact us.
Who is responsible for repairs during my application and once I have purchased my home?
When we receive your application, we will restrict what works are undertaken to your home. The Council will continue to comply with its statutory and contractual repair and maintenance obligations, for example ensuring that gas and electric supplies are safe, repairing heating breakdowns and plumbing leaks, and keeping the property weather and water tight. However, the property will be excluded from any planned maintenance projects, such as bathroom, kitchen and window replacements.
Once the sale of the property is complete, the Council will no longer be responsible for repairs and maintenance within your property. This will become your liability.
If you are buying a house, you will become the freeholder. Usually there are no services provided, so no service charges to pay.
If you are buying a flat or maisonette, you will become the leaseholder. You will be responsible for paying for:
- The day to day costs of providing services to you, such as cleaning or garden maintenance
- Repairs that we carry out to the block and estate
- Ground rent and building insurance
- Major works - repairs and maintenance to your building that are larger items of expenditure such as a roof replacement or a replacement door entry system. If the work will cost you over £250 we will carry out a Section 20 consultation with you
I have purchased my council flat how do I pay the service charges?
If you have purchased your council flat you will still need to pay the buildings service charges.
If you pay online you will need to select the 'housing rent' option. Your reference/account is the 9-digit reference number that appears on your service charge invoices beginning with an '8'.