Right to Buy Calculator
Estimate your potential discount and final purchase price when buying your council or housing association home in England.
Calculate Your Right to Buy Discount
Enter your property details and tenancy length to instantly see your estimated discount percentage and final purchase price based on current UK government rules.
Discount Estimator
See what you could save when purchasing your rented home.
How it Works
Understanding your Right to Buy discount
Check Eligibility
We verify your property type and confirm you have the minimum 5 years of public sector tenancy required to qualify.
Calculate Percentage
For houses, the discount starts at 32% after 5 years; for flats, it starts at 44%, both increasing with additional years of tenancy.
Apply Regional Caps
Your percentage discount is applied to the market value, then capped at the maximum regional cash limit (up to £38,000).
Estimate Purchase Price
We subtract your final eligible discount from the current market value to show your estimated outright purchase price.
Right to Buy Eligibility Rules
A general overview of the core criteria you must meet to apply for the Right to Buy scheme in England.
| Criteria Type | Standard Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy Type | Secure council tenant or eligible housing association tenant | Must be your only or main home |
| Minimum Tenancy | 5 years as a public sector tenant | Periods do not have to be consecutive or in the same property |
| Property Status | Self-contained property | Certain properties (e.g., adapted for disabilities, sheltered housing) may be exempt |
| Financial Status | No outstanding legal orders for possession | Bankruptcy or severe debt may affect your ability to secure a mortgage |
| Joint Applications | Up to 3 family members who have lived with you for 12 months | They do not need to be joint tenants on the current agreement |
Right to Buy FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Right to Buy scheme and tenant eligibility in the UK.
The Right to Buy scheme allows eligible council and housing association tenants in England to purchase their rented home at a discounted price [[23]].
For houses, you typically receive a 32% discount after 5 years of tenancy, increasing by 1% for each additional year up to a maximum of 60% [[25]]. For flats, the discount starts at 44% after 5 years, increasing by 2% per year up to a maximum of 70% [[12]].
Following the Autumn 2024 Budget, maximum cash discounts have been reduced to pre-2012 levels, ranging from £16,000 to £38,000 depending on the region [[14]]. Applications received before 21 November 2024 may still be eligible for the previous higher maximums [[22]].
Yes, if you sell your home within a certain period (usually 5 years), you may be required to repay some or all of the discount on a sliding scale [[4]].