Buying your Home from the Council

You may have the legal right to buy your home  - and receive a discount on the price - if you are a secure council tenant.  But you should note these rules:

• You must wait five years before you can buy your property if you signed your tenancy agreement on or after 18th January 2005. Tenants who signed their agreements before that date can apply after two years.
• If you buy your property, then sell it within five years, you must repay some of the discount to us.
• You cannot buy your home if it has special facilities for older people and is set aside for this age group, or if we are taking court proceedings against you.

Our staff will explain the conditions of purchase and give advice on the whole procedure, from valuation to completion. The Council's service is completely free of charge - you will not be charged an application fee, a valuation fee, or for our legal costs.  Please phone 01992 564420 to speak to a member of our Home Ownership Team or email: righttobuy@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

From time to time tenants are approached by private companies that offer Right to Buy assistance. If this happens, please remember that there should be no need to use an outside agent.

Discounts are on a rising scale, depending on the length of the tenancy and the type of property. The maximum discount currently offered to council tenants in Epping Forest is £34,000.

If you buy a flat or maisonette from the Council you will become a leaseholder. Click here for more information on leasehold properties.

For more information please read our leaflet 'Buying your home from the council'. Full details on the Right to Buy process are given in our leaflet 'Guidance on the Right to Buy'.

Under section 122 of the Housing Act 1985, secure tenants who wish to exercise their Right to Buy must apply to the Council in writing. To do this you need to fill in a form called an 'RTB1'. You can download the form direct from the Government's website using the following link: RTB1 form

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can give support and independent financial advice on buying your council home. The CAB will also advise you on issues relating to council leaseholds.

Links: Government Home and Community page - The Right to Buy scheme