How does Right to Buy work in the UK?

Right to Buy allows council tenants in England to buy their home at a discounted price. Discounts are based on how long you've been a tenant (35% after 3 years, 1% extra per year up to 70% max for houses, 50% for flats). The property value is assessed by an independent surveyor.

What is the maximum Right to Buy discount?

The maximum Right to Buy discount is 70% of the property value for houses (capped at £136,400 in London, £102,400 outside London in 2026) and 50% for flats. The cap means even if your discount percentage is higher, you can't get more than the cap amount.

Who is eligible for Right to Buy in the UK?

To be eligible for Right to Buy, you must: be a secure tenant, have lived in council housing for at least 3 years (not necessarily continuously), not be subject to bankruptcy or possession orders, and the property must be your only or main home. Check with your council for exact criteria.

Can I buy a housing association property through Right to Buy?

Housing association properties are covered by the Right to Acquire scheme rather than Right to Buy. The discount is lower (£16,000-£38,000 depending on location). Some housing associations have their own sales schemes. Check with your housing association for details.

Right to Buy Calculator UK - Council House Discount & Purchase Price

Years	House Discount	Flat Discount	Max Discount (Cap)
3 years	35%	35%	£102,400
5 years	37%	37%	£102,400
10 years	42%	42%	£102,400
15 years	47%	47%	£102,400
20 years	52%	50%	£102,400
30 years	62%	50%	£102,400

📝 Complete Guide to Right to Buy in the UK

This Right to Buy calculator UK helps you estimate your council house discount and purchase price. Right to Buy allows eligible council tenants in England to buy their home at a discounted price. The scheme has helped over 2 million families become homeowners since 1980.

💰 How Right to Buy Works

The Right to Buy scheme offers discounts based on:

Tenancy Length: 35% discount after 3 years, +1% per extra year
Property Type: Houses: up to 70% max, Flats: up to 50% max
Discount Cap: £102,400 outside London, £136,400 in London
Example: 10 years tenancy, £250,000 house = 42% discount = £105,000
Purchase Price: £250,000 - £105,000 = £145,000

📊 Eligibility Requirements

Tenant Type: Secure tenant of a council or housing association
Tenancy Length: At least 3 years as a public sector tenant
Property Type: Must be your only or main home
Legal Status: No bankruptcy or possession orders
Right to Acquire: Housing association tenants (lower discount)

📈 Discount Calculations Example

£200,000 property, 10 years tenancy: 42% discount = £84,000, Pay £116,000
£300,000 property, 15 years tenancy: 47% discount = £102,400 (capped), Pay £197,600
£400,000 London flat, 20 years tenancy: 50% discount = £136,400 (capped), Pay £263,600

🏠 Steps to Buy Your Council Home

Step 1: Check eligibility with your council
Step 2: Apply for Right to Buy (form RTB1)
Step 3: Council provides a valuation (Section 125 notice)
Step 4: Apply for a mortgage (independent advice recommended)
Step 5: Complete the purchase (solicitor/conveyancer)

💰 Financial Considerations

Mortgage: You need a mortgage for the purchase price (after discount)
Deposit: Usually 5-15% of the discounted purchase price
Stamp Duty: May apply if property value exceeds threshold
Legal Fees: Solicitor costs £500-£1,500
Valuation Fee: £200-£400 (sometimes waived)

⚡ UK Right to Buy Statistics (2026)

1.2M council homes sold through RTB since 1980
Average discount: £85,000 (outside London)
Average purchase price: £120,000 (outside London)
40% of RTB buyers are first-time buyers
60% of RTB purchases are by families

⚠️ Important Considerations

You may have to repay discount if you sell within 5 years (clawback)
Service charges apply for flats and maisonettes
Council may not be able to sell all properties
Housing association properties have different rules
Get independent financial advice before proceeding

Right to Buy Calculator UK

📊 Property Details

📊 Right to Buy Breakdown

📊 Right to Buy Discount by Tenancy Length