Guidance on buying your rented home at a discount through the government’s Social HomeBuy scheme. This includes information about your eligibility and the application process.

Important information

The discount is between £9,000 and £16,000 and the amount you receive will depend on which borough you live in.

Please note that the Social Homebuy scheme is not currently available with shared ownership at L&Q.

Eligibility

You can apply to buy your home if:

  • you have an assured tenancy
  • you’ve been a public sector tenant for at least three years
  • your home is not about to be demolished*
  • you do not have an undischarged bankruptcy, have a bankruptcy petition pending against you or have obtained a debt relief order
  • you do not have any outstanding possession orders against you

*If you’re unsure, check with your Neighbourhood Housing Lead or Tenancy Sustainment Officer.

 

If you feel that you qualify for the Social HomeBuy scheme

You may request an application pack by getting in touch with our customer service centre. 

We will carry out some basic checks before we send you the pack, but our final decision will be made after we’ve reviewed your full application.

The application process

The Social Homebuy scheme has strict time scales that must be met by all parties. These include:

 

1. Application received

We must respond within four weeks, once we receive your application, or eight weeks if you have a previous tenancy with a different landlord.

 

2. Sales offer to be issued

We have 8 to 12 weeks to gather all the information needed for your sales offer. This will detail the property value, discount entitlement and any future costs you may be responsible for.

 

3. Sales offer response

You have 12 weeks to let us know if you want to proceed. During this time, you should read the sales offer thoroughly and get advice on whether this is financially viable for you.

When you apply, we need to know the name of your chosen solicitor.

 

4. Receipt of the sales offer response

If the offer is accepted, we’ll order the conveyancing plans. As soon as these have been received, our solicitors will be instructed. You’ll have three months to organise your mortgage and complete the purchase.

It’s important to know that once you submit your application, we’ll only carry out essential maintenance to your home. Once you become the homeowner, you’ll be fully responsible for all repairs and maintenance, other than communal and external repairs if you live in a flat – and you’ll continue contributing for these maintenance costs.

If you’re accepted for the Social HomeBuy scheme, we must follow anti-money laundering laws and need you to confirm how you'll be funding the purchase.

If you're using savings, we need evidence showing where this money came from.

Your purchase may be delayed if you don't give us information when requested or do not respond satisfactorily to any questions that may be raised.

We may also need an identity verification agency to confirm your identity.

 

Additional help and support

Learn more about the Social Homebuy scheme on the government website. 

Frequently asked questions about Social HomeBuy

  • Can I afford to buy my home?

    We strongly advise you to get some financial advice before applying to buy your home. This advice will help you get a clear idea of what your future costs are likely to be.

    We have a panel of independent financial consultants (PDF) who can assist you.

    It’s also important to remember that once you buy your home, you're responsible for paying the mortgage, general upkeep and repair costs.

  • What type of fees may I pay during the process?

    Before you decide to buy your home, you may want to have a full structural survey carried out on the property. This thorough examination should highlight any issues that could present a problem in the future. You will need to pay for this survey.

    You will also be expected to pay for your solicitor's fees and any charges your mortgage provider gives you. For example, the arrangement fee.

  • What if I've made improvements to my home?

    Any improvement that you want to be taken into consideration must have been previously approved by us.

    These improvements must have been paid for by you and we’ll need to see proof of this.

    Not all improvements are considered to add value to the home. For example, redecoration or general maintenance. 

  • What happens if I decide to sell within 10 years of buying my home?

    If you sell your home within the first five years, you’ll need to pay a percentage of the discount you were originally given. You can contact our customer service centre for advice on what that will be.

    If you sell within the first ten years, we must get first refusal to buy it back at the current market value.