If you are an Oxford City Council tenant, you may be able to buy your council home through the Right to Buy scheme.
Find out who can apply, what you need to consider before buying your council home, what discount you could receive and how to apply.
Check if you're eligible
You will usually have the Right to Buy if:
- you have been a tenant for at least 3 years, including time spent with Oxford City Council, another council, a housing association or in armed forces accommodation.
- you have a secure tenancy
Some properties are not eligible for Right to Buy. These include:
- specialist housing for elderly or disabled people
- properties linked to your employment
- properties with a non-secure tenancy, such as an introductory tenancy
Understand the costs
Buying your council home is a major financial commitment. As well as your mortgage payments, you may need to pay for:
- Stamp Duty
- a building survey
- financial and legal advice
- home insurance
- repairs and maintenance
If you're buying a flat or maisonette
You'll usually be granted a 125-year lease. We'll continue to maintain shared parts of the building where we have a legal responsibility to do so. You'll contribute towards these costs through:
- an annual service charge
- a contribution towards major works and building maintenance
Before you apply
Before you apply, we recommend that you:
- read the government’s Right to Buy guide and summary booklet
- get an estimate of your home's value
- get independent financial advice and an affordability assessment from a mortgage adviser or broker
- get independent legal advice from a solicitor or licensed conveyancer
You can use Zoopla's online valuation service to estimate your home's value. This is only a guide and is not an official valuation.
Your solicitor or conveyancer will explain the legal implications of buying your home. You should only proceed if you are satisfied with the advice you have received.
Ask yourself
Before submitting your application, make sure you:
- can afford a mortgage and other housing costs
- could continue to afford your home if your circumstances changed
- understand the benefits and risks
- have received independent advice
For more information, see the government's Right to Buy website.
Right to Buy discount
If you're eligible, you may be able to buy your home at a discount.
The discount you receive depends on:
- how long you've been a public sector tenant
- whether you are buying a house or a flat
- the market value of your home
For applications received on or after 21 November 2024, the maximum Right to Buy discount is £16,000.
If your application is successful, we'll tell you the exact discount in your Right to Buy offer notice.
For the latest information about discounts and eligibility, see the government's guidance on Right to Buy discounts.
How to apply for Right to Buy
To apply for Right to Buy:
- download and complete the Right to Buy application form on GOV.UK
- send it to us by recorded delivery
- keep a copy for your records
Make sure the information you provide is accurate. If you provide false information, we may reject your application and arrange an investigation by our Housing Fraud team.
What happens next
After we receive your application, we'll check whether you're eligible for Right to Buy.
We may invite you to an interview with a Right to Buy officer as part of the application process.
We'll normally write to you within:
- 4 weeks if we have been your landlord for 3 years or more
- 8 weeks if you have spent part of the 3-year qualifying period with another landlord
If your application is successful, we will normally send you a Right to Buy offer notice within:
- 8 weeks for a freehold property
- 12 weeks for a leasehold property
If you disagree with our decision
If you disagree with our decision about your Right to Buy application, you can ask us to review it.
When requesting a review, provide any additional information that you think we have not considered.
Taking your case to court
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, section 181 of the Housing Act 1985 allows disputes about a Right to Buy application (other than the valuation of the property) to be decided by the County Court.
You may wish to get independent legal advice before taking any action. Oxford City Council is unable to provide legal advice.
Appeals for properties designated for older people
If we refuse your Right to Buy application because your property is considered particularly suitable for older people, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
You must submit your appeal within 56 days of receiving your decision letter.
For more information, see the government's guidance on Right to Buy appeals.
