Council House Sales or The Right To Buy your Home

The Right To Buy; Provision of information; Housing Act 2004 (Information to secure tenants) came into force 26th July 2005. This requires a landlord to publish a document containing such information concerning the Right to Buy as prescribed by the Secretary of State and to keep that information under review. We are therefore letting you know this information, and will update you if there are any changes.

Who has the Right to Buy?

  • Persons who were secure tenants before 18th January 2005 and who have spent at least 2 years as public sector tenants. This does not have to be with SBDC, or in your current home. Persons who have taken secure tenancies since 18th January will have to wait 5 years before they will have the Right to Buy.
  • You may apply jointly with family members over 18 years old who have lived with you for at least 12 months, or with someone who is a joint tenant with you, or with a spouse.
  • You may apply for the Right to Buy if you are currently receiving Housing Benefit, or have in the past. However, you might receive a visit from a Housing Benefit Officer to discuss how you can fund the purchase.

You can only purchase under this scheme if your house or flat is your only home and is self-contained. Any land let together with your home (e.g. gardens and garage in the grounds) will usually be treated as part of your home.

Circumstances when the Right to Buy cannot be exercised

  • If you are under a possession order which says you must leave your home.
  • If you are an undischarged bankrupt, have a bankruptcy petition pending against you, or have made an arrangement with creditors and you still owe them money.
  • If you have an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) against you.

Exceptions to the Right to Buy

  • If you live in a dwelling that is particularly suitable for occupation by elderly people.
  • If you live in sheltered accommodation, for the elderly, physically disabled, the mentally ill or the mentally disabled.
  • If your home is on land which has been bought for development and where the accommodation is being used for temporary use.
  • There are also restrictions if the home is let to employees of various public bodies, temporary lettings, or for those on fixed term leases.

Procedure for claiming the Right to Buy

The price payable

Delay notices and other information

Initial costs

Regular payments

Risks

Demolition Notices

Contact

To obtain application forms or explanatory booklets, please contact:

Jenny Dilnot,
Housing Finance Team,
South Bedfordshire District Council,
The District Offices,
High Street North,
Dunstable,
Bedfordshire, LU6 1LF

Telephone: 01582 474055
Email:Jenny.Dilnot@southbeds.gov.uk