If you rent a council house as a secure tenant then you may be able to buy your home at a discounted rate under the government’s Right to Buy scheme.

Please see the Governments Right to Buy Agent service website for more information  https://www.ownyourhome.gov.uk/scheme/right-to-buy/  

This service also offers free and impartial advice to help residents through the process of buying their home. Their contact number is 0300 123 0913.

How much discount could I get?

The maximum cash discount is currently £102,400 across England, except in London boroughs where it is £136,400.

Following the government’s review of Right to Buy discounts, maximum cash discounts will reduce to £16,000 – £38,000 from 21 November 2024.

The level of the maximum discount available will depend on where you live

Please see further  information relating to the changes to discounts at the foot of this page

Eligibility

You could be eligible for a Right to Buy discount if:

  • You are a secure council tenant
  • The property is your only or main home
  • You have been a public sector tenant for at least 3 years
  • You don’t live in sheltered housing or other housing particularly suitable for

elderly or disabled people

  • Your home is not due to be demolished
  • You don’t have any legal problems with debt
  • You don’t have any outstanding possession orders

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these statements, you are likely to be eligible, but this will be  reviewed if you apply

 Before applying

There are things you may wish to do before applying:

  • Consider seeking independent legal and financial advice about your individual circumstances and to help with the legal process of buying a home
  • Seek independent financial advice about the types of mortgages available
  • Remember, buying your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make – so take time to consider if it’s right for you

Applying for the Right to Buy:

  1. You can complete an application template on the Government’s Right to Buy Agent Service Website, Applying – Own Your Home – Own Your Home

            Please note you cannot submit this application online

  1. You must  download the completed application, print, and sign it before sending it to Homes in Sedgemoor. We recommend you send this by recorded post or if you bring it into reception, request a receipt
  2. Alternatively, you can request a paper copy of the application by contacting our Customer Services team

What happens next ?

Homes in Sedgemoor is the management organisation for your landlord, Somerset Council. We manage the first part of the Right to Buy process

Homes in Sedgemoor will contact you in writing  within 4 weeks of the receipt of a completed application to confirm whether or not you have the Right to Buy your home, we have up to 8 weeks if you have been with your current landlord for less than 3 years

If Homes in Sedgemoor confirm you qualify for the RTB your application will then transfer to Somerset Council

  1.  A council appointed valuer will contact you and arrange to visit your home to conduct an open market valuation

The council will send you a written offer notice setting out the sale terms, within eight weeks ( if you live in a house) or 12 weeks ( if you live in a flat or maisonette),

Please note that you can withdraw your application at any stage if you wish

If you wish to proceed on the terms set out in the offer notice, you must tell the council  no later than 12 weeks from the date of the offer notice

Repairs

Please be aware that during the Right to Buy application process only emergency repairs will be completed. This will apply from the time you apply up until such time as a sale takes place, or you withdraw your application.

Changes to Discounts – Important dates

Following the Government’s review of the right to buy discounts detailed in the Autumn budget on Wednesday 25 October 2024, discounts will reduce for the Right to Buy scheme from 21 November 2024.

Applications received by 5pm on 20th November which are eligible will secure the current higher level of discount 

Any eligible applications received after 5pm on 20th November 2024 will be subject to the new lower level of discount

Please post completed applications to  

Homes in Sedgemoor, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AR