Buying your council home (Right to Buy)

If you are a Council tenant and are interested in buying your home, then you need to take the following steps:

Step 1 - Information

View the Right to Buy: buying your council home information on GOV.uk (external link), where you can download an application form.  You can also request an application form by contacting us using the contact information at the bottom of this page.

Step 2 - Application

Complete the application form and return it to the Housing Services Team at the Council.

Step 3 - Confirmation

Within 28 days of the receipt of the completed application the tenant will be told whether they have the Right to Buy their home.

Step 4 - Valuation & Offer

Within a further 8 weeks for a house, or 12 weeks for a flat, an independent valuation will have been carried out and an offer letter will have been sent to the tenant, who then has 12 weeks to decide whether or not to proceed with the purchase.

How long will the whole process take?

The length of time from application made to the completion of the purchase can vary depending on individual circumstances but on average most go through within about 6 months.

Right to Buy & Service Charges for Sold Flats

You are classed as a Leaseholder if you purchase your flat under Right to Buy or on the open market and the flat is within a building maintained by the Council. As a leaseholder you are required to pay an annual service charge for any services the Council provides to the building or land under the terms of your lease.

On initial sale of the property a S125 notice will be served and this will provide details regarding the service charges you will be required to pay. 

The notice will also state any major works that are planned within the first five years to the property and details of your contribution.

Leaseholders must remember that if the service charge is not paid without good reason, the council may ask the court for a money judgement and this could affect your future ability to obtain credit.

Leasehold Agreement

Council flats are sold with a lease for a fixed term normally 125 years, and can be bought and sold during the term. The actual building your property resides in is owned by the Freeholder (Wealden District Council).

The lease is a legal document that contains your contractual rights and obligations as a leaseholder and the Councils contractual rights and obligations as the owner of the freehold, who maintains the structure and common areas of the block.

The Councils Leaseholder Handbook contains answers to many frequently asked questions and is available for download or alternatively contact our Leasehold Management & Right to Buy Officer using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Right to Buy Website

There is now a dedicated website and telephone number for tenants to find out about Right to Buy.  Please visit the Communities and Local Government Right to Buy website (external link) for more information.