Useful questions about Right to Buy
Buying your home is probably the biggest financial decision you will ever make. If you decide to exercise your right to buy you will become responsible for all the costs of maintaining your home, including major structural repairs, routine repairs, and improvements to it.
If you are interested in buying your council home - the following frequently asked questions might be useful:
How can I apply to buy my home?
You can read all about how you can apply on the Right to Buy Website and then if you are ready, you can download the Right to Buy form. BEFORE you download the form (RTB1) please read our applying to buy your home page, this contains tips on how to complete the RTB1 and an 'insolvency declaration' form that must be included with your application.
Once completed, your application form should be returned to:
Right to Buy
East Kent Housing
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ
Do I have to pay to apply for the Right to Buy my home?
You can find out everything you need to through the Right to Buy website and we can also provide you with help or advice about buying your home and there is no charge for the valuation. So if you are approached by a person or company offering to help you buy your council home, check out what’s in it for them - as you shouldn't have to pay to apply to buy your home.
What is the Right to Buy criteria to apply to buy my home?
You can apply if:
- You are a secure tenant
- You have been a public sector tenant for at least five years (with the council, another council or housing association, or other public body – please ask us if you are unsure)
You can't apply if:
- You have a non-secure tenancy
- You have an introductory tenancy
- You are a service tenant – for example a council Scheme Manager or caretaker
- Your home is particularly suitable for occupation by elderly people
- You have a Possession Order outstanding against you
- You are an undischarged bankrupt, or have a bankruptcy petition pending against you.
How much discount will I be entitled to?
If you live in a house and have been a council tenant for five years, then you should get a discount of 35% on the market value of your house. For each extra year that you have lived there, over the five years, you get another 1% discount, up to a maximum of 60% – or £77,000 (whichever is the lower).
If you live in a flat and have been a council tenant for five years, then you should get a discount of 50% on the market value of your flat. For each extra year you have lived there, over five years, you get another 2% discount, up to a limit of 70% – or £75,000 (whichever is the lower).
Further changes planned announced on 3 January 2014?
The government is proposing to increase the maximum discount for a house from 60% + 20% of its value
Read about the changes to this discount amount here.
When are the changes expected to come into force?
This change will requirea change in the law and will be made as soon as possible, subject to Parliamentary process.
How will I know when the changes have come into force?
The government will make an announcement and you should check the Right to Buy website (www.righttobuy.communities.gsi.gov.uk) regularly.
Can I still claim Housing Benefit to pay my mortage?
As a homeowner you can't claim Housing Benefit to help pay a mortgage.
Are there some properties you can't buy?
Some types of homes are excluded from the Right to Buy. These include:
- sheltered housing;
- some homes that are particularly suitable for elderly people and have been let to someone of pensionable age, or someone with a disability;
- homes that are purpose-built or substantially adapted for people with disabilities;
- a temporary home provided during redevelopment;
- homes that are provide as part of people's jobs for example sheltered scheme managers or caretakers; and
- homes that are due to be demolished
Can I buy any council property?
No, the Right to Buy only allows you to buy the home you are renting and living in. Up to three family members may share the Right to Buy if the property is their only or principal home and they have lived with you throughout the last 12 months
Will I still get my repairs done?
Once you have claimed the Right to Buy we will not carry out general maintenance to your home unless this is statutory, for example keeping the property wind and watertight and maintaining services such as heating, sanitary ware and electrics.
If you live in a flat or maisonette you can still report repairs to communal areas within the block (lifts, stairs and hallways, etc), and any problems in the grounds outside.
Will I have to pay any service charges?
If you are buying a flat or maisonette in a block, you will have to pay service charges every year; information about service charges is available here.
Who can I contact to help?
You can contact our Right to Buy and Leasehold team for advice by emailing [email protected] or contact the team for your local area using the contact details below:
- For Right to Buy in Canterbury call Lena Crockett on 01304 872 256
- For Right to Buy in Dover call Sharon Seath on 01304 872 273
- For Right to Buy in Shepway call Angela Stewart on 01304 872 297
- For Right to Buy in Thanet call Lena Crockett on 01304 872 256
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