Right to Buy has helped millions of council tenants in England become homeowners since 1980. The scheme still offers a discount on market value, but the maximum discounts were cut sharply for applications made from 21 November 2024. Here is the current position in England.
What Is Right to Buy?
Right to Buy gives secure council tenants in England (and some housing association tenants with a Preserved Right to Buy) the legal right to buy their home at a discount. The longer you have been a public sector tenant, the bigger the percentage discount, but it is capped at a cash maximum that depends on where you live.
- Discount is a percentage of market value, up to a regional cash cap
- Caps for applications from 21 November 2024 range from £16,000 to £38,000
- Applications made before 21 November 2024 kept the old caps (£102,400, or £136,400 in London)
- You need 3 years as a public sector tenant (not necessarily in a row) to qualify
- Right to Buy has ended in Scotland (2016) and Wales (2019); Northern Ireland has its own rules
Do housing association tenants qualify?
Who is eligible in 2026?
To qualify for Right to Buy in England, you must be a secure tenant, the home must be your only or main home and self-contained, and you must have had a public sector landlord (such as a council, housing association or NHS trust) for at least 3 years in total. The government has consulted on further reforms to the scheme, so check gov.uk for the latest rules before you apply.
- At least 3 years with a public sector landlord (they do not have to be consecutive)
- Secure tenancy
- The home must be your only or main home and self-contained
- Some homes, such as certain housing for older or disabled people, are excluded
- Rules can change, so check gov.uk before applying
How the Discount Works
The discount is a percentage of the market value. For houses it is 35% once you qualify, rising by 1% for each extra year after 5 years. For flats it is 50%, rising by 2% a year after 5 years. The maximum is the lower of 70% of the value or your regional cash cap. If your council has spent money on the home in the last 30 years, that can reduce the discount.
| Region | Maximum discount |
|---|---|
| North East | £22,000 |
| North West, West Midlands | £26,000 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands | £24,000 |
| South West | £30,000 |
| Eastern | £34,000 (£16,000 in Watford) |
| South East | £38,000 (£16,000 in some areas) |
| London | £16,000 (£38,000 in Barking and Dagenham and Havering) |
- Houses: 35%, plus 1% a year after 5 years, up to 70%
- Flats: 50%, plus 2% a year after 5 years, up to 70%
- Cash caps for new applications: £16,000 to £38,000 depending on region
- Example: a £200,000 flat in the North West after 15 years: 70% would be £140,000, but the discount is capped at £26,000
- Council spending on the home in the last 30 years can reduce the discount
Is Right to Buy Worth It?
With the lower caps, the discount is now much smaller than it used to be, so look at the full picture. You will usually need a mortgage for the rest of the price, and you become responsible for all repairs and maintenance, plus service charges and major works bills if you buy a flat. If you sell within 5 years, you usually have to repay some or all of the discount. Compare the total cost of owning with your current rent before you commit, using the rent vs buy calculator and mortgage calculator.
- Council flat buyers: service charges can be hundreds of pounds a year or more
- Major works bills can be charged to leaseholders
- Repay some or all of the discount if you sell within 5 years
- Ask about planned major works in the building before buying
- Get independent mortgage and legal advice
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