home ownership

• Right to Buy
• Applying for a right to buy
• Shared ownership

Right to Buy

The Right to Buy scheme administered by our Home Sales team allows some tenants to buy their council homes at a discounted rate but they have to arrange their own financies to do so.

From 25 March 2013, the maximum discount for properties in the borough has increased to £100,000. This means the discount rates are:

• for houses: 35% of the property’s value plus 1% for each year beyond the qualifying period (5 years) up to a maximum of 60%
• for flats: 50% plus 2% for each year beyond the qualifying period (5 years) up to a maximum of 70%.

Please note - the increases will apply to all applications being processed at the moment and to any new applications received from now on. In order to apply for the Right to Buy you must be a secure tenant and have been a public sector tenant for the past five years – please note that any period spent in temporary accommodation that is not self-contained (for example bed or breakfast or a hotel) does not count towards this – nor does time spent as an introductory or demoted tenant.

There is no charge for making an application.

Warning!

There are private companies and individuals who offer to help tenants to buy their homes. But you may not get good advice from them and could end up becoming homeless. We are here to help you and our advice costs nothing.

Sometimes companies or individuals offer tenants money if the tenants agree to a deal where the company ends up owning the property. If you enter into this type of agreement before you buy your property, you will have to repay your discount as soon as you buy it.

Please think very carefully before using one of these companies or individuals. Do not sign anything that you are not entirely clear about or happy with.

Some tenants have become homeless after agreeing to deals like this. It is very important that you get independent legal advice from your own solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau, before you do anything.

Applying for a right to buy

For an application form and to download further information about the Right to Buy,
please visit the GovUK website (external link).

Once you have completed the form please return it to us by post to the following address:
FREEPOST RSTT-LHIJ-LXAT
Homes for Haringey
Home Ownership Team
Alexandra House
10 Station Road
London N22 7TR.

Please note that our offices are not open to the public. We are not able to accept forms that are submitted in person. Please send the form using the above Freepost address.

If you have any further questions about Right to Buy, contact the Home Sales team:

Tel: 020 8489 3042 or 020 8489 5994
Email: homesales@homesforharingey.org

You can also read our Right to Buy service standards

Shared ownership

Shared ownership is a home-buying scheme which enables you to buy a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share you do not own. If you wish, you can buy further shares of the property as and when you can afford it, until you own the entire property.

Find out more about shared ownership in Haringey

Lînkên Kêrhatî ên Derveyî

The following links are not part of the Homes for Haringey website. Please read our legal notice before using these links.

• Department for Communities and Local Government