Top Discount

The top discount you can get varies by local authority and the rules are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In South East England, you're entitled to a maximum discount of up to £38,000.

Housing Association Tenants

Some housing association tenants are also given the right to buy their home, but not all. Whether you qualify will depend on whether the right to buy was preserved in the event that your home was transferred from a local council to the housing association that now owns it.

Using your Right to Buy

In order to use your right to buy, you'll need to get a mortgage - just as you would when buying a property on the open market. Most lenders have options for borrowers buying using the Right to Buy scheme, but they can look at your application differently. For example, some lenders allow you to use the discount you get on your Right to Buy as a deposit, meaning you don't have to raise extra cash to put in. Others, however, do want to see that you have saved a deposit.

A mortgage broker will be able to take you through the options available to you so you are comfortable that you have the right deal for you and that you will be able to afford the monthly repayments comfortably.