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The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has produced a comprehensive information leaflet, which you can obtain from housing reception by calling in person, email request housing@south-derbys.gov.uk or by telephone 01283 595806. Further information aimed at tenants can be found on the DCLG website at www.communities.gov.uk.
Things to consider
Before you decide to purchase your home it is important to remember that there are a lot of costs and new bills you will need to pay.
As part of the buying process you will have fees for solicitors, valuers and surveyors.
When you have bought your property you will have to consider mortgage repayments, service charges, building insurance and repairs and maintenance costs.
If you were in receipt of housing rent benefit you will no longer be able to claim this to pay your mortgage.
Am I able to purchase my home?
If you are a secure tenant and have held a public sector tenancy for two or five years (depending on when you moved into your home) you may be able to purchase the property that you live in through the Right to Buy.
If you were a tenant of a registered social landlord before 18 January 2005 you would need to be a tenant for two years. If you became a tenant after this date it needs to be five years.
Who cannot buy?
- any tenant who has a service tenancy in connection with their job
- any sheltered housing tenant
- any tenant whose home has been adapted or is particularly suitable for use by the disabled or elderly
If you are eligible you may also qualify for a discount of up to £24,000. If you are buying a house, the discount after two years is:
- 32 per cent based on the current market value.
- You will also receive one per cent discount for each additional year up to a maximum of 60 per cent.
If you are buying a flat, the discount after two years is:
- 44 per cent for a flat
- You will also receive a two per cent discount for each additional year up to a maximum of 70 per cent.
You can re-sell your home at any time but
- If you want to do so within 10 years of purchasing it you will first have to offer to re-sell it to the council at market value
- if you do so within five years of purchasing it you will also have to repay a percentage of the discount based on the market value of the property at the time of sale
How to apply
- First, make sure you have read the booklet Your Right to Buy Your Home.
- If you think you qualify for the right to buy then you will need to complete and return the application form.
- We will then reply to tell you whether you have the right to buy. You should receive this within four weeks of us receiving your application form. We will then arrange a valuation of your property.
- If you are eligible for the right to buy we will tell you the price you must pay, less discount, and the terms and conditions of the sale. You should receive this within a further eight weeks.
- If you wish to go ahead and buy your property then you will need to arrange a solicitor and a mortgage and notify us of these details. Your own solicitors should keep you informed of the progress and what stage the sale is at.
Right to Buy - allowable repairs guidance for tenants
If you submit an application to buy your property and you report a repair, a decision has to be made by the member of staff taking the repair on whether the repair should be carried out. Generally there is an obligation on the council to carry out wind and watertight repairs and maintain essential services. The following repairs come into this category:
- Roof leaks/missing tiles or slates
- Dangerous chimney stack/pots
- Overflow gushing
- Broken windows - cracked windows should be inspected by Housing Maintenance Officers first
- Significant water penetration at doors and windows
Additionally the council is obliged to carry out all qualifying repairs under the tenant's right to repair as follows:
- Blocked flue to open fire or boiler
- Blocked or leaking foul drains, soil stacks or toilet pans
- Toilet not flushing
- Blocked bath, basin or sink
- Total or partial loss of electric power
- Insecure external window, door or lock (including window safety catches)
- Leaks or flooding from water or heating pipes, tanks or cistern
- Total or partial loss of gas supply
- Total or partial loss of space or water heating
- Unsafe electrical fittings, power or lighting sockets
- Total or partial loss of water supply
- Loose or detached banister or stair treads
- Dangerous floorboards or stair treads
- Mechanical extractor fan in internal kitchen or bathroom not working
The council also has an obligation to carry out gas servicing on an annual basis until the date that the house is sold to the tenant.
If a tenant is elderly or vulnerable in any way, then the member of staff taking the repair may wish to refer to a senior member of staff for a decision on whether the repair should be done.
All of the above repairs will be subject to re-charging in the usual way if the tenant has caused damage.
When you have bought your home you will be responsible for costs of all repairs and maintenance, regardless of the condition of the property when you bought.
Contact details
Housing Services
South Derbyshire District Council
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH
Tel: 01283 595795
Fax: 01283 595852
Online: contact form
email: housing@south-derbys.gov.uk
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