| By Chandraketu Tripathi | Updated April 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Right to Buy allows eligible council tenants in England to purchase their social rented home at a significant discount. The maximum discount is £136,400 in London and £102,400 in the rest of England (from April 2024). To qualify, you must have been a secure council tenant for at least 3 years. Right to Buy does not apply in Wales (abolished 2019), Scotland (abolished 2016), or Northern Ireland (where a separate scheme applies). This guide covers eligibility, discount calculation, application process, and important conditions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Key Facts 2026 Max discount London: £136,400 | Max discount rest of England: £102,400 | Minimum tenancy: 3 years as public sector tenant | Available: England only (Scotland abolished 2016, Wales abolished 2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Right to Buy Eligibility UK 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Right to Buy Discount Calculation UK 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The discount depends on: how long you have been a public sector tenant; whether it is a house or flat; and the property's market value. For houses: 35% discount after 3 years, increasing by 1% for each additional year up to a maximum of 70% or the maximum cash discount (whichever is lower). For flats: 50% discount after 3 years, increasing by 2% for each additional year up to a maximum of 70% or the maximum cash discount. The maximum discount is £136,400 in London and £102,400 in the rest of England. You cannot get a discount that would bring the price below a set minimum — this prevents very cheap properties being sold at nominal prices. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Right to Buy Application Process UK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Right to Buy — Important Conditions UK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Frequently Asked QuestionsWho is eligible for Right to Buy UK? To be eligible for Right to Buy in England, you must be a secure tenant of a council or eligible housing association, living in the property as your only or main home, with at least 3 years of public sector tenancy. You cannot be bankrupt or have certain county court orders. Right to Buy is available in England only — it was abolished in Scotland (2016) and Wales (2019). How much discount do you get with Right to Buy UK? The discount depends on your tenancy length and property type. Houses: 35% discount after 3 years, rising to 70% maximum. Flats: 50% discount after 3 years, rising to 70% maximum. The maximum cash discount is £136,400 in London and £102,400 elsewhere in England (from April 2024). If the discount would bring the purchase price below the property's minimum value threshold, it is capped accordingly. Can I get a mortgage for Right to Buy UK? Yes — most major mortgage lenders accept Right to Buy applications. Your discount acts as the deposit, meaning you often need no additional deposit. Some specialist Right to Buy mortgage products are available. You will still need to pass the lender's affordability assessment. Use a mortgage broker experienced in Right to Buy transactions to find the best available rate. Do I have to pay back the Right to Buy discount if I sell? Yes — if you sell the property within 5 years of buying it through Right to Buy, you must repay a proportion of the discount to the council. The repayment reduces by 20% each year: sell in year 1 — repay 100% of discount; year 2 — 80%; year 3 — 60%; year 4 — 40%; year 5 — 20%. After 5 years, no discount repayment is required. After 10 years, you no longer have to offer the property back to the council first. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sources: GOV.UK (Right to Buy), MHCLG, Land Registry, Which?, MoneySavingExpert. Always compare. April 2026. |
Right to Buy UK 2026: Discounts, Eligibility & How to Apply
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