Your right to buy your council home

You normally qualify to buy your council home if you are a secure tenant and you have been living in a council or other social landlord (such as a housing association) property for either:

• at least two years, if you first became a tenant before 18 January 2005
• at least three years, if you first became a tenant after 18 January 2005

You cannot buy the following homes:

• sheltered housing
• a property that is due for demolition within the next two years
• a service tenancy

Getting a discount on your property

Right to Buy allows most council tenants to buy their council home at a discount. How much you get depends on where you live in England.

For more information on the costs, discounts and timescales involved, read Right to Buy: buying your council home – GOV.UK

This will advise you to seek independent legal and financial advice to make sure you can afford to buy your home. 

How to apply

You can download the application form on GOV.UK.

After you've completed the form, send it to us.

Address:
Right to buy enquiries
Town Hall
George Street
Luton
LU1 2BQ

Considerations when buying

Buying your property can be expensive. Costs involved in buying your home include:

• stamp duty
• valuation
• mortgage costs
• solicitor’s fees

You should consider the costs involved before deciding if buying your home is the right thing for you.

Once you are a homeowner, things you will have to pay regularly include mortgage payments, insurances, and costs for repairs and maintenance.

If you are buying the leasehold

Usually if you live in a flat you will also have to pay service charges towards the upkeep of the building. We will give you an estimate of the service charge costs for the next five years when we tell you the sale price of your flat.

Contact us if you have a Right to Buy enquiry

Telephone: 01582 547346
Email: righttobuyenquiries@luton.gov.uk