Who has the Right to Buy?

You probably have the Right to Buy your home if:

• You have been a secure tenant for five years
• The house, flat or maisonette that you wish to buy is your only or main home.

I have a new tenancy.  Do I have the Right to Buy?

If you take up a new tenancy on or after the 18 January 2005 and you have no previous tenancies with any other public sector landlords, you will have to wait for five years before applying to buy your home.

Can I buy with members of my family?

Yes.  Any member of your family who is a joint tenant can buy with you, as long as at least one of you lives in your home most of the time.  You can also share the Right to Buy with up to three other family members, as long as they have lived in the property twelve months before you apply to buy.

Can other family members buy my home on my behalf?

Family members can give you the money to buy your home.  But the purchase will be in your name (the tenant) only.  Family members who are providing the money, but do not live with you will not be included in any of the Right to Buy documentation.

Introductory tenancies

Only secure tenants can buy their home.  If you are an introductory tenant and there have been no problems with your tenancy and you have not broken any of your tenancy conditions your tenancy will be made secure automatically.  You will then have the Right to Buy your home, and then the above timescales apply.

The Right to Buy does not apply when:

• your home is sheltered housing for the elderly, physically disabled or mentally ill
• your home is particularly suitable for the elderly and it was first let before 1st January 1990 to be lived in by someone aged 60 or over
• your home is being used as temporary accommodation until the Council redevelops it
• you live in a house provided by the Council so that you can be near your place of work.