Can I Afford It: What discount could I get?

The Right to Buy scheme helps eligible council and housing association tenants in England to buy their home with a current discount of up to £136,400 (£102,400 outside London). Following the government’s review of Right to Buy discounts, maximum cash discounts will be reduced to £16,000 – £38,000 from 21 November 2024. The level of the maximum discount available will depend on where you live, as outlined in the table below.

Region Maximum Discount
North East £22,000
North West £26,000
Yorkshire and the Humber £24,000
East Midlands £24,000
West Midlands £26,000
Eastern £34,000

 

Except the district of Watford (£16,000)

South East £38,000

 

Except the areas of Reading Borough Council and West Berkshire Council, the districts of Hart, Oxford and Vale of the White Horse and the boroughs of Tonbridge and Malling, Epsom and Ewell, and Reigate and Banstead (£16,000)

South West £30,000
London £16,000

 

Except the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Havering (£38,000)

Discount levels for houses and flats are worked out differently, and start at three years of eligible tenancy, increasing to a maximum of 70% of the property value depending how long you’ve been a tenant.

House

You get a 35% discount if you’ve been a public sector tenant for three years. The discount remains at 35% until you have 5 years public sector tenancy.

After year 5, the discount goes up by 1% for every extra year you’ve been a public sector tenant, up to a maximum of 70% – or £102,400 across England and £136,400 in London boroughs, whichever is lower (as noted above, maximum cash discounts will be reduced to £16,000 – £38,000 from 21 November 2024.)

Flat

You get a 50% discount if you’ve been a public sector tenant for three years. The discount remains at 50% until you have 5 years public sector tenancy.

After year 5, the discount goes up by 2% for every extra year you’ve been a public sector tenant, up to a maximum of 70% – or £102,400 across England and £136,400 in London boroughs, whichever is lower (as noted above, maximum cash discounts will be reduced to £16,000 – £38,000 from 21 November 2024.)

Buying a House
Example 1
Current house value £120,000
Years as a tenant 10 years
Eligible discount
(35%+1% for each year over 5 years)
40%
Discount value £48,000
Price you pay for house
(£120,000 less £48,000)
£72,000
Buying a House
Example 2 (London)
Current house value £430,000
Years as a tenant 20 years
Eligible discount
(35%+1% for each year over 5 years)
50%
Discount value £136,400
Price you pay for house
(£430,000 less £136,400)
£293,600
Buying a Flat
Example 1
Current flat value £100,000
Years as a tenant 10 years
Eligible discount
(50%+2% for each year over 5 years)
60%
Discount value £60,000
Price you pay for house
(£100,000 less £60,000)
£40,000
Buying a Flat
Example 2 (London)
Current flat value £270,000
Years as a tenant 10 years
Eligible discount
(50%+2% for each year over 5 years)
60%
Discount value £136,400
Price you pay for house
(£270,000 less £136,400)
£133,600

Click here for a handy Right to Buy Calculator. It’ll help you work out the discount you could receive.

You could also check out local estate agents and property websites to get a rough idea of what your property could be worth.

Remember, buying is a big decision, and you should always get financial and legal advice before deciding whether to make your home your own. Take a look at our Can I afford it? page which gives an overview of other costs you will need to consider.