 Introduction
If you have completed your probationary period and have been granted a secure tenancy, you almost certainly will be allowed to purchase the property you occupy through the Right to Buy.
Provided that you have the qualifying tenancy, you can buy your property with a discount of between 32% to 60% for a house or 44% to 70% for a flat. Please note, however, that this discount is limited to a maximum value of £16,000.
The qualifying tenancy and discounts are shown in the table below:
| Date Tenancy commenced |
Qualifying period
| Discount Flats |
Discount Houses |
Maximum discount (£) |
| On or before 17/01/05 |
2 years |
44%-70% |
32%-60% |
£16,000 |
| On or after 18/01/05 |
5 years |
50%-70% |
35%-60% |
£16,000 |
You can share the Right to Buy with up to three family members who are not joint tenants as long as they have all lived with you for at least twelve months prior to submitting the Right to Buy application.
We may be prepared to sell to you if you have less than the qualifying tenancy, or wish to share the Right to Buy with family members who do not reside with you. However, this would be a voluntary sale where the terms and conditions are slightly different to the Right to Buy.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), formally the Department for the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) provide an online guide to the Right to Buy scheme covering from who qualifies right through to what happens when you come to move on later.
The step by step guide to the Right to Buy scheme can be viewed at the CLG site.
To apply for the Right to Buy, please download the CLG booklet and a copy of the application form given in the link below.
 Right to Buy - application form (177kb)
Right to Buy Information for Council Tenants
Under Sections 121AA and 121B of the Housing Act 1985 (inserted by section 189 of the Housing Act 2004), the Council is required to provide tenants with information in connection with the Right to Buy. The required information is set out in the PDF document below.
Right to Buy - Information for Council Tenants (314kb)
Right to Buy guidance notes are also available in the following languages: Bengali, Urdu, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Please contact the team if you would like a copy.
If you need any more information concerning the Right to Buy, or the other options which may be available to you, please contact the Home Ownership Unit (contact details are given below).
Please note that the information set out in the leaflet is our summary of some quite complicated legislation and is not a full statement of the law. If, at this stage, you feel that you need independent legal advice, you should contact a solicitor or your local Citizens' Advice Bureau.
Service charges
After completing the Right To Buy you may need to pay service charges as a leaseholder. Find more information about Service Charges.
Further information
Alternatively, for further information on the Right to Buy, please contact us on (020) 8871 6016 or call into Room 44 in the Town Hall between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday (late night opening until 7pm on Thursday)
Home Ownership Team
Wandsworth Council
Room 44 (Ground Floor)
Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PU
Telephone: (020) 8871 6016
Minicom: (020) 8871 6079 |
