Understanding our right to buy/acquire schemes

Right to Buy was introduced in the 1980s and allows qualifying council tenants to purchase their home at a discounted price.

You may qualify if you:

• Hold a secure tenancy, or
• Previously lived in a council property later transferred to a housing association, or
• Succeeded a secure tenancy

If your tenancy started with a housing association, you will likely have an assured tenancy, which usually does not qualify for RTB.

Right to Acquire is a separate government scheme designed for eligible housing association tenants.

To be considered for RTA:

• Both the tenant and the property must meet specific eligibility criteria
• Not all housing association properties qualify

• Right to Buy (RTB): Discount increases based on how long you have been a tenant (up to a maximum limit). Following the Government’s review in November 2024, the maximum RTB discount is capped at £26,000

• Right to Acquire (RTA): Discount is fixed based on location.
  • In the West Midlands: typically £9,000 to £13,500

You must complete the correct application form:

• 👉 Right to Buy (RTB)
• 👉 Right to Acquire (RTA)

• ✅ Forms must be fully completed
• ✅ Forms must be printed and hand signed (wet signature required)
• ❌ Electronic signatures will not be accepted
• ❌ Incomplete or incorrect applications will not be processed

Submitting Your Application

By post (recommended): Citizen Housing 4040 Lakeside Solihull Parkway Birmingham B37 7YN

Send using recorded delivery.

By email: 📧 info@citizenhousing.org.uk (attach a clear scanned copy of the signed form)

⚠️ Do not use third-party or unofficial websites to submit applications, as they may not be received.

Step 1: Submit Your Application

• You will need to complete and send the relevant application form (RTB1 or RTA1).
• Applications must be fully completed and signed.

Step 2: Application Acknowledgement

• Once your application is received, you will be sent an acknowledgement. 
• This will confirm the date by which you will receive our decision.

Within 4 weeks, we will either:

• Accept (admit) your application, or 
• Decline your application if it does not meet the government’s eligibility criteria

Where further information is required (for example, previous tenancy history), this timescale may be extended up to 8 weeks.

Step 3: Property Valuation (if application is accepted)

• If your application is successful, we will arrange for an independent RICS-qualified valuer to assess your property.
• The valuer is external to ensure the valuation is fair and unbiased.

Step 4: Section 125 Offer Notice

After your property has been valued, you will receive a Section 125 Offer Notice. This will include:

• The market value of your home
• Your discount entitlement
• The final purchase price

Timescales for receiving your offer:

• Houses: within 8 weeks of application being accepted
• Flats: within 12 weeks of application being accepted

Important: It is essential that you read the Section 125 Notice carefully and make sure you fully understand it.

Step 5: Tenant’s Notice of Intention (within 12 weeks)

• Included within the Section 125 Notice is a Tenant’s Notice of Intention.
• You must complete and return this within 12 weeks.

You will need to include:

• Your decision to proceed
• Your solicitor’s details
• Your source of funding (e.g. savings or mortgage)

If this form is incomplete, it may not be accepted and could delay your application.

Source of Funding

You will need to confirm how you intend to pay for the property. This could include:

• A mortgage from a lender
• Savings or personal funds

You should have a clear understanding of how you plan to fund the purchase before progressing. You will also be required to provide evidence of your funding as part of the process.

Step 6: Legal Preparation

Once your completed Notice of Intention is received:

• A Land Registry compliant plan will be produced showing the property boundaries and will be include with our legal documents.
• We will prepare legal documents and instruct external solicitors

Step 7: Conveyancing Process (minimum 16 weeks)

• Your solicitor and our solicitor will carry out the legal work (known as conveyancing)
• They will communicate with each other until both sides are ready to complete the sale

This stage typically takes at least 16 weeks, but can take longer depending on individual circumstances.