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Right to Buy: buying your council home

Information about the Right to Buy scheme

If you're a council tenant and you would like to buy your rented home at a discount, the Right to Buy scheme is available.

Who is eligible?

You probably have the Right to Buy (RTB) if:

  • You’ve been a council tenant for a minimum of three years
  • You hold a secure tenancy

However, the property you are applying to buy must be your only or principal home. You may be able to exercise the Right to Buy jointly with members of your family who have lived with you for 12 months prior to you submitting your application. You can also buy with someone who is a joint tenant with you.

Click here to check if you're eligibleopens new window

The Right to Buy discount

The discount will be based on:

  • how long you have been a public sector tenant
  • the type of your property which you are buying
  • the market value of the property

From 6 April 2023 the maximum discount in Tower Hamlets will increase to £127,900. The new discount would apply to applications served on the landlord on or after 6 April 2023. The new discount does not apply retrospectively to applications made before 6 April 2023.

Flats

You will get a 50% discount if you have been a public sector tenant for three to five years.

After five years, the discount goes up by 2% for every extra year you have been a tenant, up to a maximum of 70%. However, the discount amount is capped at £127,900 in London.

Houses

You get a 35% discount if you have been a public sector for three to five years.

After five years, the discount goes up by 1% for every extra year you have been a tenant, up to a maximum of 70%. However, the discount amount is capped at £127,900.

You can contact the Right to Buy Agent service on 0300 123 0913 for free advice regarding Right to Buy.

 

The Right to Buy application process

The application form - RTB1

If you wish to buy your home and meet the qualifying criteria, you will need to complete and submit an application form.  You can download an application form from the Government’s website here.

You can also fill out an application online from the Government's website here.

We are happy to assist if you would like help in completing the application form or would like help with clarifying any part of the process.

 Submit your Right to Buy application

If you are using the online form, when you have completed it, save and print it out, and sign in all the relevant places as you would with the downloaded form.

You should submit your Right to Buy application using the link below as a scanned document/ image/ photo, and must be clearly legible. Alternatively you can post your application to us at  Tower Hamlets Homes, Leasehold Services, Right to Buy Team, PO Box 66355, London, E14 1GU.

Submit a Right to Buy applicationopens new window

Next Steps 

Here to help

We strive to assist all Right to Buy applicants in understanding the process; as such we provide helpful information and update applicants on the progress of their applications.

Protecting public purse

We have a duty of care to ensure the public purse is protected, and that only eligible residents purchase their homes. Therefore, we carry out a number of checks during the Right to Buy process. Right to buy fraud happens when an applicant or applicants:

  • Give us false information in relation to their application
  • Have entered into a agreement with a third party to buy the property on their behalf for a cash incentive
  • Have applied for right to buy to benefit from the discount where the property has been subject to tenancy fraud such as not using the property as their principle home or subletting.

We work closely with the Council's anti-fraud and risk team, and investigate applications by undertaking internal and external enquiries to ensure applications are valid. All applicants and individuals providing funding towards the purchase are required to fill out consented data search and anti-money laundering forms. 

Further Information

If you would like more information on the RTB process, please call us on 020 7364 5015 and ask to speak to one of our helpful RTB officers. We would advise you to also visit the following websites and resources:

Contact

Tel: 020 7364 5015
Request a service online