The Right to Buy scheme applies to most of the flats and houses we own.

Some properties are exempt from the Right to Buy scheme, for example those designated as elderly persons' dwellings and sheltered housing (suitable for occupation by the elderly).

To be able to buy one of our homes, you must:

·        Be a tenant.

·        Have held the tenancy for two years, if you held a tenancy before 18th January 2005.

·        Have held the tenancy for a minimum of five years, if you became a tenant after 18th January 2005.  An introductory tenancy is a non-secure tenancy.

·        Not be subject to a court order for possession which says you must leave your home.

·        Not be an un-discharged bankrupt.

You are able to share the Right to Buy with members of your family who are over the age of 18 and who have lived, with you, at the property for the past 12 months.

How do I apply?

When you make a Right to Buy enquiry, we will give you a RTB1 form, a bankruptcy declaration form and an information booklet. The RTB1 and declaration form has to be completed and returned to:

Diane Griffiths
Commercial Services
Daresbury Point
Green Wood Drive
Manor Park
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 1UG

Diane.Griffiths@haltonhousing.org

This form and a full explanatory leaflet are available from any of our local housing offices or by telephoning our Commercial Services team on 0151 510 5000.

If you would like any further information, the Government’s Right to Buy Leaflet is available here to download.

What happens next?

After we have carried out some initial checks on the home you would like to buy, our appointed valuer will arrange to visit your home to assess its market value.

We will then make you an offer based on the market value, less any discount that you are entitled to, and ask you within the following 12 weeks to decide whether to proceed, cancel or appeal against the valuation.

Please note that during the time that a Right to Buy is registered, only emergency repairs will be carried out.

The Discount Rules

The Right to Buy scheme gives you a discount on the market value of your home.

The amount of discount depends on how long you have been a tenant. The longer your tenancy the greater the discount you will receive, up to a maximum limit which varies depending on where you live.

This is currently £26,000 in the North West.