Category: Right-To-Buy

If you live in a council property, you might be wondering whether you can buy your council house and become the owner of the home you already live in.

The short answer is: some council tenants may be able to buy their home through Right to Buy, but it depends on your tenancy, your property and your personal circumstances. Your council or landlord must confirm whether you’re eligible.

If you do qualify, the next question is usually whether buying your council house is affordable and whether you can get a mortgage. These are separate checks. Being eligible for Right to Buy doesn’t automatically mean a lender will approve you for a mortgage.

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Can you buy your council house?

You may be able to buy your council house if you meet the Right to Buy rules. These rules look at things like your tenancy type, how long you’ve been a public sector tenant, whether the property is your main home and whether the home itself can be bought under the scheme.

For most people, the first step isn’t the mortgage. It’s checking whether you actually have the right to buy the property.

Your landlord or council is responsible for confirming this. A mortgage broker can help with the mortgage side, but they can’t confirm your legal eligibility for Right to Buy.

What is Right to Buy?

Right to Buy is a scheme that can allow eligible council tenants to buy their council home at a discount.

Instead of paying the full market value, you may be able to buy at a reduced price. The discount depends on factors such as how long you’ve been a public sector tenant, the type of property, where it is and any rules that reduce or cap the discount.

If you’re starting to look at the mortgage side, our Right-to-Buy mortgages page can help explain how lenders may look at the application.

What might affect whether you can buy your council home?

Several things can affect whether you can buy your council home through Right to Buy.

Check	Why it matters
Tenancy type	Right to Buy usually depends on having the right type of tenancy.
Main home	The property usually needs to be your only or main home.
Tenancy history	Your time as a public sector tenant can affect whether you qualify and the discount.
Property type	Some homes may be excluded from Right to Buy.
Legal or tenancy issues	Debt, possession or tenancy issues may affect the application.
Landlord confirmation	Your council or landlord must confirm whether you’re eligible.

Some homes may be excluded because of the property type, the type of tenancy, planned demolition, or because the property is specially suited to elderly or disabled residents.

This is why it’s important to check with your landlord before making firm plans around purchasing your council house.

Why tenancy type matters

Your tenancy type is one of the biggest factors.

Right to Buy is mainly associated with secure council tenants. If you’re not sure whether you’re a secure tenant, your tenancy agreement or landlord should be able to confirm this.

Some tenants may also have a preserved Right to Buy. This can apply where someone was originally a council tenant, but the home was transferred to another landlord, such as a housing association.

The key point is that not every social housing tenant has the same rights. Before thinking too far ahead about buying a council house, make sure you understand what type of tenancy you have.

Can housing association tenants buy their home?

Housing association tenants may not always have the same rights as council tenants.

Some may have preserved Right to Buy if they were living in the home when it transferred from the council to a housing association. Others may have a different option, such as Right to Acquire, depending on their circumstances.

If you rent from a housing association, check directly with them. They can tell you whether Right to Buy, preserved Right to Buy, Right to Acquire, or another option may apply.

How much discount could you get?

The Right to Buy discount reduces the price you pay for the property.

The amount can depend on the type of property, how long you’ve been a qualifying public sector tenant, the value of the property, where it is and whether any rules reduce the discount.

Here’s a simple example of how the discount could affect the purchase price:

Example	Amount
Property value	£180,000
Right to Buy discount	£20,000
Discounted purchase price	£160,000
Mortgage needed before any cash contribution	£160,000

This is only a simple example. Your actual Right to Buy discount and purchase price would need to be confirmed by your landlord.

What happens after you apply to buy your council house?

The process usually starts with checking whether you may be eligible and then submitting the Right to Buy application to your landlord.

At a high level, the process looks like this:

Step	What happens
Check eligibility	You look at whether Right to Buy may apply to your tenancy and property.
Apply	You submit the Right to Buy application to your landlord.
Landlord response	Your landlord confirms whether they accept that you have the right to buy.
Offer notice	If accepted, your landlord provides details of the valuation, discount and purchase price.
Decide whether to continue	You review the numbers and decide whether buying your council home still makes sense.
Arrange the mortgage	If you need a mortgage, this is when the lender side becomes more important.
Complete the purchase	Your solicitor handles the legal process through to completion.

You don’t have to continue just because you’ve applied. If the numbers don’t work, or you decide home ownership isn’t right for you, you can choose not to proceed.

Can you get a mortgage to buy your council house?

Many people need a mortgage unless they can buy the property outright.

A lender will still assess your application in the normal way. They’ll usually look at your income, outgoings, credit history, debts, age, mortgage term and the property itself.

This is an important distinction:

Right to Buy eligibility	Mortgage approval
Confirmed by your council or landlord	Decided by the lender
Looks at your tenancy and property	Looks at income, affordability and credit history
Confirms whether you can apply to buy	Confirms whether you can borrow enough
May include a discount	May depend on whether the lender accepts the discount as deposit

Some properties can also be more difficult to mortgage. For example, certain flats, high-rise blocks or non-standard construction properties may reduce the number of lenders available.

If you want help with a Right-to-Buy mortgage, it can be useful to speak to a broker before making assumptions about what you can borrow.

Could the discount help with the deposit?

In some cases, yes.

Some lenders may accept the Right to Buy discount as the deposit. This means you may not always need a separate cash deposit.

However, this isn’t guaranteed. It depends on the lender, the size of the discount, the property and your wider circumstances.

For example, one lender might be comfortable using the discount as the deposit, while another may still want you to contribute some of your own money. This is one reason why Right-to-Buy mortgage options can vary between lenders.

You can use our Right-to-Buy mortgage calculator to get a rough idea of how the discount could affect the purchase price, mortgage amount and possible deposit position.

What might affect your mortgage options?

Your mortgage options may depend on both your finances and the property you’re buying.

Factor	How it may affect your mortgage
Income	Helps lenders decide how much you may be able to borrow.
Employment type	Self-employed applicants may need different income evidence.
Benefits income	Some lenders may accept certain benefits income, but rules vary.
Monthly commitments	Loans, credit cards and other regular payments can reduce affordability.
Credit history	Missed payments, defaults or arrears may reduce lender options.
Age and mortgage term	The mortgage term can affect monthly payments and lender criteria.
Property type	Some properties can be harder to mortgage.
Discount size	A larger discount may improve the numbers, but it doesn’t guarantee approval.
Deposit treatment	Some lenders may use the discount as the deposit, while others may not.

If you’re self-employed, you may need to show your income in a way the lender accepts. Our self-employed mortgage advice can help explain what lenders may ask for.

If you’ve had credit issues, such as missed payments, defaults or arrears, your options may be narrower. In that situation, it may be worth looking at adverse credit mortgage support before applying.

When should you speak to a mortgage broker?

You may want to speak to a mortgage broker once you’ve started checking whether you can buy your council house, especially if you want to understand whether the mortgage side is likely to work.

This can be helpful if you’ve received or estimated the property value, you’re unsure whether the discount can count as your deposit, you’re self-employed, you have credit issues, or the property type may be harder to mortgage.

If you’re thinking about buying your council home and want to understand the mortgage side, Monday Mortgages can help you check your options.

You can also use our Right-to-Buy mortgage calculator to estimate your discounted purchase price, mortgage amount and possible deposit position.

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FAQs

Can you buy your council house?

Some council tenants may be able to buy your council house through Right to Buy, but eligibility depends on your tenancy, property and circumstances. Your landlord or council must confirm whether you qualify.

Can you buy your council house if you’re on benefits?

Possibly. Being on benefits doesn’t automatically mean you can’t buy, but mortgage lenders will look at whether your income is acceptable and whether the mortgage is affordable.

Can you buy your council house if you’re self-employed?

Yes, being self-employed doesn’t automatically stop you from buying your council house. Lenders will usually want to understand your income, trading history and affordability before offering a mortgage.

Can you buy your council house without a deposit?

Some lenders may accept the Right to Buy discount as the deposit, meaning a separate cash deposit may not always be needed. This depends on the lender, your circumstances and the property.

Can you buy your council house with bad credit?

Bad credit doesn’t always make it impossible, but it can limit your options. Lenders will look at what happened, how recent it was, how serious it was and whether your finances are now stable.

Is being eligible for Right to Buy the same as getting a mortgage?

No. Right to Buy eligibility is confirmed by your landlord or council. Mortgage approval is decided by a lender based on income, affordability, credit history and the property.

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If you’re a council tenant and have started looking into ways to buy your home, you may have come across Right to Buy. It’s a scheme that can allow eligible tenants to buy your council home at a discount, which may make home ownership feel more achievable.

But it’s important to understand how the scheme works before assuming it’s the right route for you. Right to Buy can reduce the price you pay, but it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll qualify, get the maximum discount or be approved for a mortgage.

This guide focuses on Right to Buy in England. Different rules may apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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So what is Right to Buy?

The simple answer is that it’s a government scheme that may let eligible council tenants buy the home they already live in for less than its full market value.

The discount is based on your circumstances and the rules that apply when you apply. It isn’t paid to you as cash. Instead, it reduces the purchase price of the property.

For example, if your home is valued at £180,000 and your confirmed discount is £26,000, the price you pay would be £154,000.

That lower price can make buying your council home more realistic, especially if you’ve lived there for a long time and want to stay in the property.

Who is Right to Buy for?

Right to Buy is generally aimed at eligible council tenants.

Some housing association tenants may also have something called Preserved Right to Buy if their home was transferred from the council to another landlord while they were living there.

At a high level, your eligibility can depend on things like:

• Whether you’re a secure tenant
• How long you’ve been a public sector tenant
• Whether the property is your main home
• The type of property you live in
• Whether any exclusions apply

This article isn’t a full eligibility guide, and your landlord or council should confirm whether you qualify. If you’re unsure, that’s usually the best first place to check.

How does the Right-to-Buy discount work?

The Right-to-Buy discount reduces the price you pay for your home. It can depend on several factors, including the type of property, where it is, how much it’s worth and how long you’ve been a qualifying tenant.

Under the April 2026 government guidelines, maximum cash discounts are currently between £16,000 and £38,000, depending on location.

Older, higher maximum discounts may apply to some eligible applications received before 21 November 2024.

There are also rules that can reduce the discount in some cases. For example, if your landlord has spent money building, buying, repairing or improving the property, the “cost floor” rule may affect the discount.

Your landlord will confirm the property valuation, the discount and the price you’d need to pay.

How does buying your council home work?

The exact process is handled through your landlord, but the broad steps usually look like this:

• Check whether you may be eligible
• Apply through your landlord or council
• Wait for the landlord’s response
• Receive the offer notice, valuation and confirmed discount
• Review the price and terms
• Arrange a mortgage if needed
• Get legal advice and complete the purchase

You don’t have to continue just because you’ve applied. If the numbers don’t work or you decide it isn’t right for you, you can usually withdraw from the process.

Do you need a mortgage for Right to Buy?

Many people need a mortgage unless they can buy the home outright with cash.

People often use the phrase Right to Buy mortgage, but this usually means a normal mortgage used to buy a property through the Right to Buy scheme. It isn’t a separate government mortgage product.

That means the lender will still assess your application. They’ll usually look at your income, spending, credit history, debts, age, mortgage term and the property itself.

This is where Right to Buy mortgages can be slightly different from a standard home purchase. The property may already have a confirmed discount, and some lenders may treat that discount in a helpful way. But lender criteria can vary, so it’s worth checking your options before assuming every lender will view the application the same way.

Can the Right-to-Buy discount help with the deposit?

In some cases, yes. Some lenders may accept the discount as the deposit, which could mean you don’t need a separate cash deposit.

But this isn’t guaranteed.

It can depend on the lender, your affordability, your credit history, the property type and the size of the discount. Some lenders may still want you to contribute cash, or they may have specific rules around how the discount is treated.

This is one reason Right-to-Buy mortgage advice can be useful before you get too far into the process. A broker can help you understand which lenders may be comfortable with your situation and whether the discount could work as the deposit.

Example of how Right to Buy could work

Here’s a simple example:

• Estimated property value: £180,000
• Example Right-to-Buy discount: £26,000
• Discounted purchase price: £154,000
• Mortgage needed: £154,000, if no separate cash deposit is used

In this example, the discount reduces the amount the buyer needs to borrow. If a lender accepts the discount as the deposit, the buyer may not need to put in a separate cash deposit.

But this is only an example. Your actual figures will depend on your property value, confirmed discount, lender criteria and personal circumstances.

You can use our Right-to-Buy mortgage calculator to get a rough idea of how the discount could affect your purchase price, mortgage amount and possible deposit position.

What could affect your mortgage options?

Even with a discount, lenders still need to decide whether the mortgage is affordable and suitable.

They may look at:

• Your income
• Your employment type
• Your regular spending
• Loans, credit cards and other commitments
• Your credit history
• Your age and mortgage term
• The property type and condition
• Whether the discount can be treated as deposit

The property itself can also matter. Some lenders may be more cautious with certain flats, high-rise blocks, non-standard construction or properties with major repair concerns.

If you’ve had credit issues such as missed payments or defaults, that doesn’t always mean buying is impossible, but it may affect which lenders are available. In that situation, it may help to look at adverse credit mortgage options before applying.

If you’re self-employed, lenders may also look closely at how your income is evidenced. You may want to understand self-employed mortgage advice before relying on your income figures.

What other costs should you think about?

Right to Buy isn’t only about the purchase price and mortgage payment. Once you own the home, you’ll usually be responsible for more costs than you were as a tenant.

These can include:

• Legal fees
• Survey costs
• Mortgage fees
• Buildings insurance
• Repairs and maintenance
• Service charges if you’re buying a flat or leasehold house

If you’re buying a flat, you’ll usually become a leaseholder. That means the landlord may still be responsible for the wider building, but you may need to pay service charges and contribute towards major works.

It’s also worth checking the rules if you think you might sell later. Selling within the first few years can affect whether some of the discount has to be repaid.

When should you speak to a mortgage broker?

You may want to speak to a mortgage broker once you have an idea of the property value, discount and likely purchase price.

It can also help to speak to someone earlier if you’re unsure whether the numbers are realistic, whether your income is likely to fit, or whether the discount could be accepted as the deposit.

A broker can help explain lender options, affordability and what may be possible based on your situation.

If you’re thinking about buying your council home and want to understand the mortgage side, Monday Mortgages can help you check your options. You can also use our mortgage calculators to estimate your mortgage costs before deciding what to do next.

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FAQs

What is Right to Buy?

Right to Buy is a scheme that may allow eligible council tenants to buy the home they live in at a discount. The discount reduces the purchase price rather than being paid to you as cash.

Who can use Right to Buy?

Right to Buy is generally for eligible council tenants, although some housing association tenants may have Preserved Right to Buy. Your landlord or council should confirm whether you and your property qualify.

How much discount can you get with Right to Buy?

The discount depends on factors such as the property, location, value and your qualifying tenancy history. Under the April 2026 government guide, maximum cash discounts are currently between £16,000 and £38,000, depending on location.

Do you need a deposit for Right to Buy?

Not always. Some lenders may accept the Right-to-Buy discount as the deposit, but this depends on the lender and your circumstances. A separate cash deposit may still be needed in some cases.

Can you get a mortgage for Right to Buy?

Yes, many people use a mortgage to buy their home through Right to Buy. A Right to Buy mortgage is still assessed by the lender, so affordability, credit history and property type still matter.

Is Right to Buy the same as getting a mortgage approved?

No. Right to Buy relates to whether you can buy your home through the scheme. Mortgage approval is a separate lender decision based on your finances, the property and the lender’s criteria.

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If you’re buying your council home through Right to Buy, one of the biggest questions is whether you need savings for a mortgage deposit.

The short answer is: some lenders may accept your Right to Buy discount as deposit, which means you may not need a separate cash deposit. But this isn’t guaranteed. It depends on the lender, the size of your discount, the property, your income, your credit history and whether the mortgage is affordable.

A Right to Buy discount can make a big difference to the amount you need to borrow. But a Right to Buy mortgage still has to meet lender criteria, so it’s important to understand how the deposit side works before you apply.

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Can your Right to Buy discount be used as a deposit?

In some cases, yes. Some lenders may treat the discount you receive through Right to Buy as your deposit.

This can be helpful because the discount reduces the price you pay for the property. Instead of saving a traditional 5%, 10% or 15% cash deposit, your discount may create enough equity for the lender to consider the mortgage without you putting in extra money.

For example, if your home is worth £180,000 and your council sells it to you for £135,000 after a £45,000 discount, some lenders may view that £45,000 difference as the deposit.

That said, not every lender works this way. Some may still want a separate cash deposit, or they may only accept the discount in certain circumstances. This is where Right to Buy mortgage advice can help, especially if you’re unsure which lenders are likely to consider your case.

How a Right to Buy deposit works

With a standard house purchase, the deposit is usually money you contribute from your own savings. If you buy a £200,000 home with a 10% deposit, you pay £20,000 and borrow £180,000.

Right to Buy works differently.

There are three separate parts to understand:

• The market value of the property
• The Right to Buy discount offered by your council or landlord
• The discounted purchase price you actually pay

The discount isn’t cash sitting in your bank account. It’s a reduction in the purchase price. But because you’re buying the property below its market value, some lenders may treat that discount as equity in the property.

That’s why a Right to Buy mortgage deposit can be different from a normal mortgage deposit. In some cases, the discount does the job that a cash deposit would normally do.

This is also why people search for things like buying a council house without a deposit or council house mortgage deposits.

The question isn’t always whether a deposit exists. It’s whether the discount can be accepted instead of a separate cash contribution.

Example of a Right to Buy discount as deposit

Here’s a simple example.

Item	Amount
Market value	£180,000
Right to Buy discount	£45,000
Discounted purchase price	£135,000
Cash deposit	£0
Mortgage needed	£135,000

In this example, the buyer needs a mortgage of £135,000 to buy a property worth £180,000.

Some lenders may view the £45,000 discount as the buyer’s deposit because the mortgage is lower than the property’s market value. The buyer may not need to add a separate cash deposit.

However, this still depends on lender criteria. If the buyer has credit issues, high debts, unstable income or the property raises concerns, the lender may take a different view.

You can use a Right to Buy mortgage calculator to estimate your discounted purchase price and see how the numbers could look before speaking to a broker.

Discounted purchase price vs market value

One point that can cause confusion is loan-to-value, often called LTV.

LTV is the mortgage amount compared with the property value or purchase price. With Right to Buy, there can be two different ways to look at this.

Using the example above:

• Market value: £180,000
• Discounted purchase price: £135,000
• Mortgage requested: £135,000

Against the discounted purchase price, the buyer is borrowing 100% of the price they’re paying.

Against the market value, the buyer is borrowing 75% of the property’s value.

This matters because lenders may assess Right to Buy cases differently. Some may focus on the discounted purchase price. Others may take the market value and discount into account when deciding whether the case fits their criteria.

This is one of the main reasons a Right to Buy mortgage with no cash deposit may be possible with some lenders, but not with others.

Why some lenders may still ask for a cash deposit

Even if you have a large discount, a lender may still ask for a cash deposit or extra evidence.

Reasons can include:

• The lender doesn’t accept the full discount as deposit
• Your affordability is tight
• You have missed payments, defaults or other credit issues
• You have existing debts or commitments
• The property type is harder to lend on
• The valuation raises concerns
• Your income is harder to evidence
• The lender wants to see funds for fees or other costs

A Right to Buy no deposit mortgage should never be treated as automatic. The discount can help, but the lender still needs to be comfortable with the whole application.

You should also remember that no cash deposit doesn’t mean no costs at all. You may still need money for legal fees, valuation fees, moving costs or other purchase costs.

What lenders may check before accepting the discount

Before accepting the discount as your mortgage deposit amount, lenders may look at:

• Your income
• Your monthly commitments
• Your credit history
• Your employment type
• Whether you’re self-employed
• Whether any benefits income is being used
• The property value
• The property condition
• The discounted purchase price
• The size of the discount
• Council or landlord paperwork
• Whether the mortgage is affordable

If you’re self-employed, the lender may need more detail about your accounts, tax calculations or business income. In that case, it may help to understand your self-employed mortgage options before applying.

If you’ve had missed payments, defaults or other credit issues, you may need a lender that is more comfortable with an adverse credit mortgage case.

Can you get a Right to Buy mortgage with no cash deposit?

Yes, it may be possible in some cases. If the lender accepts the Right to Buy discount as the deposit, and the rest of your application fits their criteria, you may be able to buy without putting down a separate cash deposit.

But this depends on the full situation.

A lender will still want to know that the mortgage is affordable, the property is acceptable security and your credit history fits their rules. They may also want to see that you can cover the other costs involved in buying your home.

Before relying on the discount, check your eligibility and discount amount with your council or landlord. They are the ones who confirm whether you qualify and how much discount you may receive.

What if you have adverse credit?

Adverse credit doesn’t always mean you can’t get a Right to Buy mortgage. But it can reduce the number of lenders available to you.

A lender may look at:

• What the credit issue was
• How long ago it happened
• Whether it has been settled
• How your finances look now
• Whether the mortgage is affordable

If the discount is strong but your credit history is more complex, it may be worth getting advice before applying.

A failed application can be frustrating, especially if the issue could have been avoided by choosing a more suitable lender.

Getting mortgage advice before applying

Right to Buy can be a strong route into home ownership, especially if your discount reduces or removes the need for a cash deposit.

But lender criteria can vary. One lender may accept the discount as deposit, while another may ask for extra cash or decline the case for a different reason.

A broker can help check which lenders may consider your discount, how they may assess your loan-to-value, and whether your income and credit profile are likely to fit.

If you’re buying your council home and are unsure whether your discount could work as your deposit, Monday Mortgages can help you understand your options before you apply. You can get help with a Right to Buy mortgage and check whether a lender may accept your discount instead of a separate cash deposit.

You can also use our Right to Buy mortgage calculator to check your figures and see how your discount could affect the numbers.

[FAQ]

FAQs

Can I use my Right to Buy discount as my mortgage deposit?

Some lenders may accept your Right to Buy discount as your deposit. This means you may not need a separate cash deposit, but it depends on the lender and your wider application.

Do I need savings to buy my council house?

Not always. Some buyers can use their discount instead of a cash deposit. However, you may still need savings for legal fees, valuation fees, moving costs or other purchase costs.

Can I get a Right to Buy mortgage with no cash deposit?

It may be possible with some lenders if they accept the discount as deposit and the mortgage is affordable. It isn’t guaranteed, and lender criteria can vary.

Do all lenders accept the Right to Buy discount as deposit?

No. Some lenders may accept the discount as the full deposit, while others may want a separate cash deposit or apply different rules.

Does bad credit affect using the discount as deposit?

Yes, it can. Credit issues may limit your lender options, even if your discount is large enough to reduce the mortgage risk.

Can self-employed applicants use the Right to Buy discount as deposit?

Potentially, yes. The lender will still need to check your income evidence, affordability and wider application before deciding.

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