Buying a council house has helped many long-standing tenants take their first confident step into homeownership. It’s a route that often feels more achievable than buying on the open market, especially with the support of the Right to Buy scheme. If you’ve ever wondered how the process works, how much you might need to pay, or whether you’re even eligible, you’re not alone.
This guide gives you an overview of how to buy a council house, how the scheme works in real situations, what you might need financially, and the timescale.
Related: Buying vs renting: what’s the difference?
How do you get a council house, and can you buy it later?
Council homes are allocated based on housing need, such as overcrowding, medical requirements or affordability challenges. Once you become a secure tenant, you may eventually have the option to buy your home through the Right to Buy scheme. This is often when tenants start exploring whether they can buy their council house and what the eligibility rules look like. If you meet the criteria, purchasing the home you already live in is usually a straightforward and realistic option.
How to buy a council house through Right to Buy
The Right to Buy scheme is the main way tenants purchase their council home. The first thing most tenants do is check whether they qualify. You’ll normally be eligible if the property is your only or main home, you are a secure tenant, the home is self-contained, and you have spent at least three years in public sector housing. These years do not have to be consecutive, which is a point many people miss.
Once eligibility is clear, you begin the application by submitting a Right to Buy form (RTB1) to your landlord. They will review your tenancy history, confirm your eligibility and respond with a formal decision. If you qualify, they will send what’s known as a Section 125 notice, which sets out the full market value of your home, the discount you’re entitled to, and the final price you’d pay if you continue with the purchase.
This is the point where people often ask whether they can use a mortgage, and in most cases they can. Many lenders offer mortgages specifically designed for Right to Buy purchases. You’ll then begin arranging the financial side, while a solicitor handles the legal checks, such as reviewing the title, identifying any restrictions and explaining the obligations you’ll take on if you’re buying a flat.
Once the mortgage is agreed and the legal work is completed, the purchase can move towards completion, and you become the legal owner of your home.
Related: Mortgage eligibility: What buyers need to know
How much deposit do I need to buy a council house?
If you’ve also wondered how much it costs to buy a council house, the answer depends entirely on the valuation set by the council and the discount you qualify for. Long-term tenants typically receive larger discounts, which can make the total purchase price significantly lower than similar homes sold on the open market.
A major benefit of Right to Buy is that your discount often acts as part, and in some cases all your deposit. For example, if your home is valued at £170,000 and your discount is £60,000, your purchase price becomes £110,000. Some lenders accept the discount as equivalent to your deposit, while others may require a small cash contribution, usually between five and ten per cent of the discounted price.
Related: What to consider before buying a family home
How much can I buy my council house for?
Your offer price is determined by two core factors: the property’s full open-market valuation and the discount applied through Right to Buy. This discount increases based on the length of your tenancy and whether the property is a house or a flat. Your Section 125 notice will explain the valuation, the discount, and the exact amount you will need to pay if you proceed.
If you disagree with the valuation, you can request an independent revaluation, a point often highlighted by property platforms when advising first-time Right to Buy applicants.
How long does it take to buy a council house?
Timelines can vary based on individual circumstances. However, the overall process is usually more predictable than a traditional property sale. Most purchases take between four and six months.
The early part of the process involves eligibility checks and issuing the offer notice. The second half involves arranging your mortgage, carrying out legal checks and finalising the financial details. Delays can happen, especially if valuations are disputed or if additional surveys are needed, but the general structure keeps the process moving steadily.
Before you decide what’s right for you
Buying your council house can offer long-term security and a clear pathway into homeownership. Understanding the process, costs and timelines will help you make an informed choice that suits your circumstances.
If you’d like friendly, straightforward guidance while exploring your options, get in touch with your local Whitegates branch.
