Right to buy your Council house

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Buying your house (the Right to Buy)

Most Council tenants have a statutory right to buy their home.

The Right to Buy was changed by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. There are now two forms in operation - the Old Right to Buy and the Modernised Right to Buy.

The Old Right to Buy

1. your tenancy started before 30 September 2002 and you have not moved after that date
2. you have occupied a house, or a succession of houses, with a housing association or council for a minimum of two years
3. the maximum discount takes 30 years to acquire for a house and 15 years for a flat
4. the maximum discount is 60 per cent of the value for a house and 70 per cent of the value for a flat

The Modernised Right to Buy

1. your tenancy started on or after 30 September 2002
2. you have occupied a house, or a succession of houses, with a housing association or council for a minimum of 5 years
3. the maximum discount takes 20 years to acquire
4. the maximum discount is 35 per cent of the value of all properties and is capped at £15,000

For a full set of frequently asked questions on Right to buy please use the link to FAQs above.