Right to Buy & Right to Acquire

Right to Buy

One of the promises that was made to our tenants when we transferred from Chester-le-Street District Council was to allow tenants to buy their homes through the 'Preserved Right to Buy'.

If you were a secure tenant of Chester-le-Street District Council and transferred to us on 4 February 2008 you may still be able to buy your home at a discounted rate.

Right to Acquire

If you are not eligible for the Preserved Right to Buy scheme, you may have the Right to Acquire. The Right to Acquire is similar to the Right to Buy in that it allows you to buy your home at a discounted rate, although this discount is not as generous as the Right to Buy.

Being our tenant does not automatically give you the Right to Acquire your home. You must have been a public sector or armed forces tenant (or a combination of these) for at least:

two years if your tenancy started before 18th January 2005; or
Five years if your tenancy started on or after 18th January 2005.

If the above applies, you may still not be able to acquire your property if:

the property is not your only or main home;
your property is not self- contained;
you live in sheltered housing where services are provided;
your home is one of a group of houses particularly suitable for elderly people and is let to a person aged 60 or over;
your home is designed or adapted for people with special needs;
your home is provided as part of your job; or
you live in a property in certain rural parishes identified by the Government.

If you would like further information on the Right to Buy or the Right to Acquire please read the leaflet below or contact us.