The Right to Buy scheme allows most tenants the opportunity to buy their council home at a discount.  

The commitment of owning your own home can be a big responsibility and there are many things that need to be considered in the first instance.

Do I qualify?

You can apply to buy your council home if:

• it’s your only or main home

• it’s self-contained

• you’re a secure tenant

• you’ve had a public sector landlord (eg Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, or another council, housing association or NHS trust) for 3 years - it doesn’t have to be 3 years in a row 

• you don’t have any rent arrears, outstanding possessions orders or other legal problems with debt

You don’t have to do it alone, you can make a joint application.  So if you’re eligible, you might be able to buy your home with:

• someone who shares your tenancy

• your spouse or civil partner

• up to 3 family members who’ve lived with you for the past 12 months. They don’t have to be on your tenancy agreement but it must be their main home.