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Right to buy

Right to Buy is a scheme where secure Council tenants can apply to buy the property they live in. 

Properties are valued at current market prices. Most properties are offered for sale at a lower price because the tenant qualifies for a discount, which is calculated on a scale according to the length of tenancy, and is a maximum of £75,000.

Who qualifies?

Most secure tenants of Westminster City Council, who have been tenants for at least two years (five years if you became a tenant after 17 January 2005). Previous tenancies, and tenancies with other councils and housing associations usually count.

How does the scheme work?

You apply to buy your home by filling in an application form. We write back to you, confirming whether or not you have the Right to Buy. If you have the Right to Buy, we have the property valued and send you an offer of sale. You have three months to decide if you wish to buy your home.

How can I get more information / an application form?

Please contact us on 020 7245 2106 or lesseefrontline@cwh.org.uk or you can download an application form.

Download  information on the Right to Buy .

Warning!

There are private companies and individuals who offer to help tenants to buy their homes. But you may not get good advice from them and could end up becoming homeless.

Companies and individuals offering help

Sometimes, you are asked to pay for things that you can get for free. For example:

• We will provide an application form and help you fill it in. 
• We will explain how the sales process works and answer your questions.
• We will give you information about how to find a solicitor.
• Banks and building societies offer free mortgage advice.

We are here to help you and our advice costs nothing.

Companies and individuals offering money

Sometimes companies or individuals offer tenants money if the tenant agrees to a deal where the company ends up owning the property. If you enter into this type of agreement:

• before you buy your property, you will have to repay the discount as soon as you buy it.
• after you buy your property, you will have to repay discount as soon as you make the agreement.
• the money you make is unlikely to be enough to buy another home, and the Council will not give you another property to rent.

Please think very carefully before using one of these companies or individuals. Ask yourself 'what is in it for them?'. They may be suggesting that you do something that benefits them, not you. Do not sign anything that you are not entirely clear about or happy with.

Some tenants have become homeless after agreeing to deals like this. It is very important that you get independent legal advice from your own solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau, before you enter into such an agreement.