Buy your council home through Right to Buy 

If you are a secure council tenant, you may be able to buy your home at a discount through the Right to Buy scheme. 

The Right to Buy is a legal scheme established under the Housing Act 1985. Winchester City Council administers applications in accordance with legislation and government guidance. 

The discount you receive depends on: 

• how long you have been a public sector tenant 

• whether you are buying a house, bungalow, flat or maisonette 

• the Government's maximum discount limit 

• whether cost floor rules apply 

As of April 2025, the maximum discount available in the Winchester area is £38,000. 

Important 

Buying your home is a major financial commitment. As a homeowner, you will be responsible for repairs, maintenance, insurance and other costs associated with owning your property. If you buy a flat, you will also be responsible for service charges and contributions towards major works. 

We strongly recommend that you seek independent financial and legal advice before applying. 

Contents 

- Who can apply

- Who can join the application 

- Homes that do not qualify 

- Costs of buying your home 

- Leasehold properties and service charges 

- Right to Buy discounts 

- How to apply 

- Property valuations and appeals 

- Delays in the process 

- Selling your home after purchase 

- Help and independent advice 

- Complaints and feedback 

- Contact us 

Who can apply 

You may be able to buy your home if: 

• you are aged 18 or over 

• you have a secure tenancy with Winchester City Council 

• the property is your only or main home 

• you have at least 3 years of qualifying public sector tenancy 

The qualifying tenancy period does not need to be continuous. 

Qualifying tenancy periods can include time spent with: 

• local authorities 

• housing associations 

• other qualifying public sector landlords 

You cannot apply if: 

• you have an introductory tenancy 

• you live in temporary or homeless accommodation 

• there is a possession order or other legal action relating to your tenancy 

• you are bankrupt or subject to insolvency proceedings 

• you have an active arrangement with creditors 

• your property is exempt from the Right to Buy scheme 

Who can join the application 

You can buy your home jointly with: 

• your spouse or civil partner 

• qualifying family members under section 123 of the Housing Act 1985 

Up to 3 qualifying family members can join the application. They must have lived in the property as their only or main home for at least 12 months before the application is made. 

All joint tenants must agree to the purchase and sign the RTB1 application form. However, the purchase can proceed in the name of one tenant only. 

Family members joining the application must: 

• be aged 18 or over 

• live in the property as their only or main home 

• provide evidence that they have lived there for the previous 12 months 

Qualifying family members include: 

• parents 

• grandparents 

• children 

• grandchildren 

• brothers and sisters 

• aunts and uncles 

• nieces and nephews 

• spouses or civil partners 

Homes that do not qualify 

Some properties are exempt from the Right to Buy under the Housing Act 1985 and cannot be purchased. 

These include: 

• sheltered housing 

• Extra Care housing 

• homes designed or adapted for older people 

• homes designed for people with disabilities 

• supported housing 

• homes due for demolition 

We will confirm whether your property qualifies when we assess your application. 

Costs of buying your home 

Before buying your home, you should consider both the one-off costs and the ongoing costs of home ownership. 

One-off costs 

You may need to pay for: 

• solicitor or conveyancing fees 

• mortgage arrangement fees 

• surveys and valuations 

• Stamp Duty Land Tax, where applicable 

Ongoing costs 

As a homeowner, you will be responsible for: 

• mortgage payments 

• buildings insurance 

• contents insurance 

• repairs and maintenance 

• utility bills 

• council tax 

If you buy a flat or maisonette, you will usually become a leaseholder and may also need to pay: 

• service charges 

• communal repair costs 

• major works charges 

• estate improvement costs 

• building safety costs 

Some of these costs can be significant. 

Leasehold properties and service charges 

If you buy a flat under Right to Buy, you will usually purchase a leasehold interest. 

As a leaseholder, you must contribute towards the cost of maintaining the building and communal areas. 

This may include: 

• cleaning and grounds maintenance 

• roof repairs 

• window replacement 

• structural repairs 

• decoration of communal areas 

• fire and building safety works 

These costs are set out in your lease. 

Estimated service charges and known major works costs will be included in your Section 125 Offer Notice. 

Right to Buy discounts 

The amount of discount depends on: 

• how long you have been a qualifying tenant 

• whether you are buying a house or flat 

• current Government discount limits 

Houses and bungalows 

• 35% discount after 3 years 

• an additional 1% for each complete year after that 

• maximum discount of 70% 

Flats and maisonettes 

• 50% discount after 3 years 

• an additional 2% for each complete year after that 

• maximum discount of 70% 

The Government sets the maximum cash discount available. 

Cost floor rules 

The Council may be required to reduce your discount where significant expenditure has been incurred on building, acquiring, repairing or improving the property within the statutory cost floor period. 

How to apply 

Step 1: Complete the application 

Complete: 

• RTB1 application form 

• Eligibility form 

You will also need to provide: 

• proof of identity for all applicants 

• proof of address 

• council tax information 

• any financial information requested as part of the application 

Email completed forms and supporting documents to: 

homeownership@winchester.gov.uk 

Step 2: Application assessment 

We will: 

• check your eligibility 

• verify tenancy and residency information 

• carry out fraud prevention checks 

• explain the process and likely costs 

You may be invited to attend an interview with the Homeownership Team. 

We will then issue a formal decision notice. 

Step 3: Property valuation 

If your application is successful, we will arrange for an independent RICS-qualified valuer to inspect your home. 

The valuation reflects market value and follows statutory requirements. 

Improvements you have paid for yourself are usually excluded from the valuation. 

Step 4: Receive your offer notice 

We will send you a Section 125 Offer Notice explaining: 

• the market value 

• the discount applied 

• the purchase price 

• estimated service charges, where applicable 

• planned major works 

• the terms and conditions of sale 

You will normally have 3 months to decide whether to proceed. 

Step 5: Complete the purchase 

If you decide to proceed, you must: 

• appoint a solicitor or conveyancer 

• arrange your mortgage or funding 

• complete the legal process 

Ownership transfers to you once the sale has completed. 

Property valuations and appeals 

If you disagree with the valuation, you can ask for an independent review by the District Valuer. 

The District Valuer's decision is legally binding on both you and the Council. 

You must make your request within the timescales set out in your Section 125 Offer Notice. 

Delays in the process 

The Right to Buy process includes statutory timescales for both applicants and councils. 

If the Council does not meet certain legal deadlines, you may be able to use the delay procedure set out in the Housing Act 1985. 

Further information is available on GOV.UK. 

Selling your home after purchase 

If you sell your property within 5 years of purchase, you may need to repay some or all of your Right to Buy discount. 

If you wish to sell within 10 years of purchase, you must usually offer the property back to the Council or another qualifying social landlord before selling on the open market. 

This is known as the right of first refusal. 

Help and independent advice 

Before buying your home, we strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice. 

You may wish to seek advice from: 

• the Government's Right to Buy Agent service 

• Citizens Advice 

• Shelter 

• MoneyHelper 

• an independent mortgage adviser 

• an independent solicitor or conveyancer 

Independent advice can help you understand: 

• the costs of buying your home 

• mortgage affordability 

• leasehold obligations 

• service charges and major works costs 

• the risks and responsibilities of home ownership 

Complaints and feedback 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received, you can make a complaint. 

You can complain: 

• online using our complaints form 

• by telephone on 01962 848400 

• by email to customerservice@winchester.gov.uk 

• in writing to Winchester City Council, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ 

If you remain dissatisfied after completing the Council's complaints procedure, you can contact the Housing Ombudsman. 

Contact us 

For questions about Right to Buy, contact the Homeownership Team. 

Email: homeownership@winchester.gov.uk 

Telephone: 01962 848400 

Accessibility 

We are committed to providing services that are accessible and inclusive. 

If you need this information in another format, language or require additional support, please contact Housing Services. 

Last Updated: Wednesday 24 June 2026