How long do I need to have lived in my council house to qualify for Right to Buy?

To qualify for the Right to Buy scheme, you need to have been a public sector tenant for at least three years. This doesn’t have to be three consecutive years, and it can include time spent with different public sector landlords such as councils, housing associations, NHS trusts, or armed forces. Remember that this is just one of several eligibility criteria to qualify for the scheme.

How long does Right to Buy take?

The Right to Buy process typically takes several months from start to finish. After submitting your RTB1 application form, your landlord has up to 4-8 weeks to respond, followed by 8-12 weeks to send you an offer if they agree to sell. Once the offer has been received, you have 12 weeks to decide whether to proceed with the purchase, after which you’ll need to arrange financing and complete the legal process.

What happens if I can’t afford to buy my council house?

One of the big advantages of Right to Buy is that some lenders will let you use your discount as a deposit, eliminating the need for a substantial deposit. However, not all lenders accept this, and you’ll still need to have other funds for costs like mortgage fees, conveyancing, and surveys. We recommend speaking with a mortgage advisor to find lenders who accept the discount as a deposit and to guide you through the process.

What happens if my landlord is delaying the Right to Buy process?

If your landlord is not replying to your application within the timeframes set out above, you may be able to get a bigger discount on the sale price of your home. If your landlord seems to be delayed, you can fill in the initial Notice of Delay form (RTB6) and send it to your landlord. It is the responsibility of the landlord to then move the sale along within one month, or let you know that it has already been replied to or explain why things cannot be sped up. If your landlord still doesn’t reply to you, you can fill in another form called Operative Notice of Delay (RTB8). This means that any rent you pay while you’re waiting to hear back from your landlord can be taken off the sale price.

Right to Buy mortgage scheme explained: how to buy your council home

Right to Buy helps eligible council and housing association tenants in England purchase their rented homes at a discounted price.

Last updated 23 Oct 2025

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Key takeaways

Eligible tenants can buy their council homes at a discount of up to £16,000 in London, and up to £38,000 across the rest of England depending on where you live

Eligibility: 3+ years as public sector tenant, property is main home

Discount varies based on tenancy length, property type, and value

Selling restrictions apply for first 10 years after purchase

Consider increased financial responsibilities of homeownership

What is the Right to Buy mortgage scheme?

Looking to buy your council home? Or maybe you’re a landlord and a tenant is trying to purchase your property through the scheme?

Introduced over 40 years ago in England, it offers council tenants and some housing association residents a chance to purchase their homes at a discount.

The discount tenants will get depends on how long they’ve lived in the property, the property type and its value. It’s a great way for tenants of these properties to step onto the property ladder if they’re eligible.

Keep in mind, though, that this scheme isn’t available in Scotland or Wales as it was abolished to protect social housing numbers.

Who can use Right to Buy?

Although Right to Buy is widely available, certain criteria must be met to be eligible. For those in England, you can apply to buy your council home from your landlord if:

The property is the tenant’s main or only home
The property is self-contained (no shared rooms with anyone outside your household such as a shared kitchen, lounge, or bathroom
The tenant is secure with a legal contract
The tenant has had a public sector landlord for at least 3 years (the years do not have to be consecutive)
You have no legal issues with debt

Also, if the tenant wants to purchase with someone you can apply jointly with:

Anyone sharing the tenancy
Up to three family members who’ve lived with the tenant for the past year (even if they’re not on the tenancy)

Remember, every situation is unique. If you’re a tenant and are unsure about anything you should contact your landlord, or you can check out more on eligibility here.