The Right to Buy Scheme allows you to buy your council home at a price lower than the full market value. This discount is based on the number of years you have spent as a public sector tenant.
If you wish to exercise your Right to Buy, it is recommended that you seek independent legal and financial advice about your individual circumstances and to help with the legal process of buying a house. Buying your home is probably the biggest financial decision you will ever make, so take time to consider whether it is the right choice for you.
If you buy your house ...
you will become responsible for all the costs of maintaining your home, including routine repairs, major structural repairs and improvements to it. Please read the Government leaflet: Your Right to Buy Your Home Guide
If you buy your flat ...
you will become a leaseholder and you will have to pay service charges and also meet the costs of major repairs and refurbishment. Please read the Government leaflet Thinking of Buying a Council Flat?
Are you eligible?
The Government's RTB website has an eligibility quiz and discounts calculator to help you understand whether you might be eligible and, if so, the costs of buying and maintaining your home - visit the Government's Right to Buy website. You can also email the Government's Right to Buy Team if you have any further questions on rtb@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Westmorland and Furness Council is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud. Further information on this can be found at: http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/about-the-council/fraud/
If you want to apply to buy your home
Download and print off a Notice Claiming the Right to Buy (Form RTB1) or request a form by ringing us on (01229) 876578 (and ask that an email is sent to us requesting a form) or email us direct : housing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
In order to prevent and detect fraud, we may share information about you with other organisations including the Police, conduct searches about you using publicly available databases, check and/or share your details with fraud prevention and detection agencies.
Once completed the form should be returned to the Housing Department, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow LA14 2LD. The form is used to decide whether you have the right to buy and how much discount you will get.
You will receive a notice (Form RTB2) telling you whether or not you have the Right to Buy within four weeks from the date of receiving your application form (Form RTB1).
If we have agreed to sell your home to you, we will send you a separate offer notice (Section 125 Notice) which tells you:
- The market value of the property at the time you submitted your application (any improvements you have made to the property are not taken into account).
- The discount you are entitled to.
- The price that you have to pay.
- The terms and conditions of sale.
This will be sent within a further eight weeks after you have received your RTB2 form if you are buying a house, or within 12 weeks for a flat purchase.
Bought your home and thinking about re-mortgaging or borrowing additional monies?
If you have bought your home using the Right to Buy and are still within the repayment discount period, you must seek the consent of Westmorland and Furness Council before you can re-mortgage or apply for additional borrowing. For more information on this please read the Policy Guidance.
Further Information
If you need any further advice or information on any aspect of the Right to Buy Scheme, please contact us on (01229) 876578 (and ask that an email be sent to us with your details so we can call you back) or email us direct: housing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk