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For many council tenants, Right to Buy is a chance to own the home they’ve lived in for years at a discount. Buying through the scheme still usually needs a mortgage, and there are some specific things lenders look at. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Right to Buy?

Right to Buy lets eligible council tenants in England buy their home at a discount on its market value. The scheme has closed in Scotland and Wales, so this guide applies to England only.

Eligibility depends on factors such as how long you’ve been a public sector tenant and the type of property you live in. The rules and discount levels were changed in late 2024 and have been under review since, so always check the current position with your council before making plans. Housing association tenants may have a different scheme, known as the Right to Acquire.

How does a Right to Buy mortgage work?

A Right to Buy mortgage is a mortgage used to buy your council home through the scheme. It works in a similar way to a normal purchase mortgage, but the discount plays an important part.

Some lenders may let the discount act as your deposit, which means you might not need savings towards one. Others lend based on the discounted purchase price rather than the full market value. How a lender treats the discount could make a real difference to how much you’re able to borrow.

What lenders look at

• Your income and outgoings. Standard affordability checks apply, just as with any mortgage.
• Your credit history. Missed payments or defaults could affect which lenders are available.
• The property. Many council homes are standard brick houses, but some are flats in high rise blocks or properties built using non-standard methods, which fewer lenders will accept. Our guide to non-standard construction mortgages explains more.
• Your rent history. Some lenders may want to see that your rent has been paid on time.

Paying back the discount

If you sell your home within a set number of years after buying it through Right to Buy, you may have to pay back some or all of the discount. The council may also have the right to buy the property back first if you sell within a certain period. Make sure you understand these rules before you commit, and speak to your solicitor about the details.

Buying with family

If you can’t afford the mortgage on your own, some lenders may allow a family member who lives with you to buy jointly. In other cases, a relative might help through a joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage or a gifted deposit. Lenders have different rules on these, so it’s worth checking early.

Costs to plan for

Buying through Right to Buy still comes with costs, including:

• Legal fees
• A survey. Our guide to mortgage valuations vs surveys explains why this matters
• Service charges and major works bills if you’re buying a flat
• Ongoing maintenance and repairs that the council used to cover

It’s worth thinking about the full picture, not just how the mortgage payment compares with your rent.

Getting started

1. Check you’re eligible and submit your Right to Buy application to your council.
2. Wait for the council’s offer, which will confirm the price and discount.
3. Speak to us about mortgage options and get an agreement in principle.
4. Instruct a solicitor and arrange your survey.

How we could help

Right to Buy mortgages aren’t offered by every lender, and criteria vary on how discounts, property types and joint applications are treated. We have access to a wide range of products from High Street Lenders and specialist products not available direct. We help buyers across Birmingham, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth.

Find out more on our purchase mortgages page, or get in touch to talk through your Right to Buy plans.

Frequently asked questions