We're here to help you decide if it’s the right decision for you and your family
We’ll give you all the advice, help and guidance you need throughout the buying process, signposting you to other independent agencies where necessary.
You'll firstly need to know what type of tenancy you currently have, you may be:
A secure tenant - someone who has a lifetime tenancy
An assured tenant - someone who has a fixed-term tenancy
A public sector tenant- someone whose landlord is a public body such as a council or housing association
If you’re unsure which applies to you, contact us via email or call 0808 164 0111
You can also find more information by reading the guide below.
The Government has recently said it plans to extend the Right to Buy to housing association tenants. At this stage, there are no more details available. For this to happen, there will need to be a change in legislation. Until then, the only scheme available to housing association tenants is the Right to Acquire scheme. We will keep you updated on any changes in the future.
What are the main differences?
Right to Buy and Right to Acquire
Both schemes were designed by the Government to allow social housing customers to buy the home they currently rent, at a discount.
The schemes operate in very similar ways – the main difference is the amount of discount you receive. These levels are determined by the Government.
The Right to Buy scheme was set up to help people buy their council homes. It also extends to customers of social landlords who obtained their secured tenancies before the date council homes were transferred to new landlords. This date depends on which organisation was your landlord before Karbon Homes.
The Right to Acquire scheme means more recent customers of social landlords aren’t ruled out from the possibility of buying their home.
If you’re eligible for the Right to Buy discount, you could be on your way to owning your home.
Remember, the costs of owning your home are very different from those of being a tenant. You’ll need to fully understand what these costs are going to be. You’re also going to need financial and legal advice.
We have up to 4 weeks to reply, confirmingwhether or notyou have the Right toBuy or the Right to Acquireyour home.
3
Receive an offer
We'll then send you an offer notice (S125) within 8 weeks for a house and 12 weeks for a flat. This sets out:
- the property value
- discount
- the price you’ll pay
- any structural problems they may know about
- any terms and conditions.
4
Survey, loans… and get advice
You have up to 12 weeks to accept our offer.It’snow that you’ll need to appoint a solicitor and arrange a mortgage or loan. You should also consider getting a structural survey for peace ofmind.
5
Complete the purchase
Once you are happy with your landlord’s terms and have arranged to raise the money, you can proceed and complete your purchase. This stage can take up to three months to complete.
Repairs and your application
What you need to know
Whilst you have an active Right to Buy or Right to Acquire application, you can still report repairs, but we’ll only carry out the repairs that the Government requires us to do by law.
We’ll continue to complete repairs that fall under the following categories:
Roof leaks / missing tiles or slates
Dangerous chimney stack/pots
Overflow gushing
Broken windows – cracked windows will need to be inspected by a member of our team first
Significant water ingress near doors and windows
Blocked flue to an open fire or boiler
Blocked or leaking foul drains, soil stacks or toilet pans
Blocked bath, basin or sink
Total or partial loss of electrical power
Insecure external windows, doors, or lock (including window safety catches)
Leaks or flooding from water or heating pipes, tanks or cistern
Total or partial loss of space or water heating
Total or partial loss of gas supply
Unsafe electrical fittings, power or lighting sockets
Total or partial loss of water supply
Loose or detached bannister or stair treads
Dangerous floorboards or stair treads
Mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom not working
Thank you for contacting us
Your message is important to us, we will be in touch shortly.
Thank you for submitting an application for community funding
We will now review your application and endeavour to get back to you with a response as soon as possible.
Thank you for contacting us
A member of the team will get back to you within two business days.
If your message is regarding something urgent, please call 0800 5335 442.