Right to Buy Discount Calculator

Right to Buy gives secure council and some housing association tenants the right to purchase their home at a discount. The discount increases with years of tenancy, up to a maximum of 70% of market value. The scheme was introduced in 1980 and has enabled millions to own their homes.

For houses: 35% discount after 3 years tenancy, increasing by 1% per year up to 70% maximum. For flats: 50% after 3 years, increasing by 2% per year up to 70%. Maximum discount caps: £64,000 outside London, £96,010 in London (2026/27 figures, reviewed annually).

Eligible if: you've been a public sector tenant (council, housing association via Right to Acquire) for at least 3 years (not necessarily the same property), the property is your only or main home, it's self-contained, and you're a secure tenant. Joint applications allowed.

If you sell your Right to Buy property within 5 years of purchase, you must repay a proportion of the discount: Year 1: 100%. Year 2: 80%. Year 3: 60%. Year 4: 40%. Year 5: 20%. After 5 years, the full discount is permanently yours.

Yes — most high street lenders offer Right to Buy mortgages. The discount effectively acts as a deposit, so you may need only a small or no additional deposit. The purchase price (market value minus discount) is the amount you'd borrow.

No — Scotland abolished Right to Buy in August 2016. Wales abolished it in January 2019. Right to Buy remains available in England (England only). Northern Ireland has a separate Social Housing Right to Buy scheme with different rules.

Yes — after 5 years, you can sell and use the proceeds freely. Some councils have 'right of first refusal' — if you sell within 10 years, you must first offer the property back to the council at market value.

Standard property purchase costs apply: survey fees (£400–£1,000), conveyancing solicitor fees (£800–£1,500), stamp duty (on the discounted purchase price), mortgage arrangement fees, and buildings insurance from completion.

No — applying for Right to Buy doesn't affect your tenancy rights if the application is unsuccessful. However, if you receive the purchase price notice and don't complete within the required timeframe, the landlord can withdraw.

Yes — 'Right to Buy' fraudsters offer to help you buy using the scheme in exchange for cash, shares of equity, or upfront fees. Legitimate Right to Buy requires no agents or intermediaries. Contact your council directly. Any scheme requiring you to sign over equity is likely fraudulent.

Most housing association tenants cannot use Right to Buy but may qualify for Right to Acquire (if their home was transferred from a council after 1997 or built with social housing grant). Maximum Right to Acquire discount is £16,000. Check your tenancy agreement.

If you were a secure council tenant when your home was transferred to a housing association, you retain the Preserved Right to Buy under the original council scheme terms. Contact your housing association to confirm if this applies to your tenancy.