Right to Buy has allowed millions of UK council tenants to become homeowners since 1980. The scheme provides significant discounts on market value, but changes in 2025 have tightened eligibility in England. Here's the current position.
What Is Right to Buy?
Right to Buy gives secure council tenants in England the legal right to purchase their council home at a discount. The longer you've been a tenant (or secure tenant of certain housing associations), the bigger the discount. The maximum discount in England is £102,400 (outside London) or £136,400 in London.
- •Maximum discount in England (outside London): £102,400
- •Maximum discount in London: £136,400
- •Discount is a percentage of property value, up to the cap
- •Minimum tenancy to qualify: now 5 years (increased in 2024 from 3 years)
- •Right to Buy does not apply in Scotland (abolished 2016) or Wales (ended 2019)
Do housing association tenants qualify?+
Some housing association properties (particularly those transferred from councils) are covered by Preserved Right to Buy. Most housing association tenants have a separate Right to Acquire with smaller discounts. Check with your landlord.
Who Is Eligible in 2026?
To qualify for Right to Buy in England: you must be a secure council tenant, have had a public sector tenancy for at least 5 years (consecutive or non-consecutive), be a UK, EU, or EEA national (or have indefinite leave to remain), and the property must be your only or main home.
- •Minimum 5 years public sector tenancy (can be non-consecutive)
- •Secure tenancy with the council
- •Must be your only or main home
- •UK/EU/EEA national or settled status
- •Property must not be a listed building or sheltered accommodation
How the Discount Works
The discount is calculated as a percentage of the market value. For flats: 50% after 5 years, increasing by 2% per additional year (maximum 70%). For houses: 35% after 5 years, increasing by 1% per additional year (maximum 70%). The percentage is applied to market value, subject to the cash cap.
- •Houses: 35% discount after 5 years, +1%/year up to 70%
- •Flats: 50% after 5 years, +2%/year up to 70%
- •Maximum percentage discount: 70%
- •Maximum cash discount: £102,400 (£136,400 London)
- •Example: £200,000 flat, 15 years tenancy, 70% = £140,000 discount (capped at £102,400)
Is Right to Buy Worth It?
The discount is significant, but the full financial picture matters. You need a mortgage for the remaining amount (after discount). You become responsible for all maintenance and service charges (especially for flats). If you sell within 5 years, you must repay a proportion of the discount. If your home needs major work, the true cost could exceed the discount value.
- •Council flat buyers: service charges can be hundreds of pounds/month
- •Major works can be levied on leaseholders unexpectedly
- •Repay discount if sold within 5 years (stepped repayment)
- •Check for planned major works in the building before buying
- •Still a significant financial benefit for many in low-maintenance houses
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