The Right to Acquire Scheme
This scheme gives eligible tenants a legal right to buy their home at a discount of between £9,000 - £16,000 depending on the local authority area in which the property is located. The scheme only applies to properties built or acquired after 1 April 1997. Some properties are exempt, including those in small rural settlements and sheltered housing.

Qualifying Criteria
To qualify, you must have spent a total of two years as a council or housing association tenant, (or in accommodation provided by the Armed Services). If, however, your first public sector tenancy was created on or after January 18th 2005 you will have to wait 5 years before becoming eligible. You will not be eligible if you have a current possession order against you.

The Price of your home
The purchase price for your home will be based on the open market value less the discount.

Responsibilities of a home owner
Once you have bought your home, you will be responsible for:

• mortgage repayments
• buildings insurance
• repairs and maintenance
• service charges (if applicable)

Re-selling your home
If you re-sell your home within 5 years, some or the entire discount will be repayable, depending on the interval between buying the property and selling it.

If you think you qualify for the scheme, and would like more information contact our Housing Services Centre by email hsc@raglan.org or call 0845 070 7772 and ask for the leaflet "Guide to the Right to Acquire". The leaflet is also available on the Housing Corporation website.