Right to Buy & Right to Acquire Explained

If you’re a council or housing association tenant, Right to Buy or Right to Acquire could help you purchase your home at a substantial discount, making home ownership more affordable.

How Right to Buy works:

  • Available to eligible council tenants in England.

  • You may receive a discount of up to £96,000 (or £127,900 in London), depending on how long you've been a tenant.

  • The longer you’ve lived in the property, the bigger the discount available.

How Right to Acquire works:

  • Available for housing association tenants in certain circumstances.

  • Smaller discounts apply compared to Right to Buy (usually up to £16,000 depending on property location).

Eligibility depends on:

  • Length of tenancy (usually at least 3 years)

  • Type of property

  • Your tenancy status

  • The landlord’s participation in the scheme

Key considerations:

  • You’ll need to arrange your own mortgage.

  • You may face restrictions on selling the property in the first 5 years.

  • The discount may need to be repaid (fully or partially) if you sell within certain time periods.

We help you explore eligibility, calculate your potential discount, and secure the right mortgage to complete your purchase confidently.

"Right to Buy and Right to Acquire offer a great opportunity to step onto the property ladder — but getting the mortgage in place can still be a challenge. We guide you through the entire process, help you secure the mortgage you need, and ensure you fully understand the scheme’s rules and obligations."