Customer Services
Purchase Incentive Schemes FAQs
What is Right to Buy?
The Right to Buy was introduced in 1980. It means that Secure tenants of Local Authorities and Right to Buy landlords can buy their home at a discount to the full market value.
What is the Preserved Right to Buy?
If you are a Secure tenant of a Local Authority and your home is transferred to a Registered Provider (for example a Housing Association), and you become an Assured tenant, you may have what is known as the Preserved Right To Buy. Although it is the Right to Buy on slightly different terms, tenants will still be able to purchase their home at a discount to the full market value.
What is the Right to Acquire?
The Right to Acquire is a scheme giving eligible tenants of Registered Providers (such as Housing Associations) the opportunity to purchase their property at a discount to the full market value. To qualify for the scheme a property must have been built or purchased by the Registered Provider on or after the 1st April 1997 through a social housing grant. A property transferred from a local council to a Registered Provider on or after 1st April 1997 will also qualify for the scheme.
What is Social HomeBuy?
Social HomeBuy is a scheme, which allows tenants to buy their current home. Those that are unable to buy outright will be able to buy shares of at least twenty five per cent. The amount of discount you are entitled to is based on where you live and the percentage you purchase.
What is a leaseholder?
If you buy a house, you will usually buy the freehold. This means you will be the outright owner. If you buy a flat, you will become a leaseholder. Normally this means that you will be responsible for the interior of your home whilst your Landlord will be responsible for looking after the structure and the exterior of the block. Your Landlord will request a contribution to any services provided and to the upkeep and maintenance of your block using service charges.
Can I resell after purchasing my property?
You may sell your home whenever you like, but if you applied before the 18th January 2005 and sell within 3 years of purchasing it, you will have to repay some or all of the discount. If you sell:
- during the first year, all of the discount will have to be repaid;
- during the second year, two thirds must be repaid;
- during the third year, one third must be repaid;
- after 3 years, you can sell without repaying the discount.
If you apply for the Right to Buy on or after the 18th January 2005 and sell within 5 years, you will have to repay some or all of the discount.
If you sell:
- during the first year, the entire discount will have to be repaid;
- during the second year, four fifths must be repaid;
- during the third year, three fifths must be repaid;
- during the fourth year, two fifths must be repaid;
- during the fifth year, one fifth must be repaid.
The repayment of discount will be a percentage of the market value of the property when it is resold within the first 5 years of purchase. After 5 years you can sell the property without repaying any discount.
Can I buy with family members or non-tenants?
You may be able to purchase jointly with members of your family who have lived with you for the past 12 months prior to application.
Who values my home?
As part of the application process we will instruct a valuer to visit your home to value the property. Once you have received our formal offer, if you believe that the value is too high you can request that we have the property independently valued by the district valuer. However the district valuer’s decision is final and you will have to accept their valuation even if it is higher than the Landlord’s.
Who do I contact if I wish to apply to purchase my home or have further questions?
Please contact a member of the Sales & Business Support Team in the Commercial and Leasehold Department on 0845 234 0791 for further information on any of our purchase incentive schemes or to request an application pack. You can also submit an enquiry by e-mail to sales-admin@circle.org.uk.
NHF Benefit changes leaflet 
