Right To Buy
Significant changes to the right to buy for new tenants of local authorities and registered social landlords were introduced in The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
In particular the Act introduced the modernised right to buy, which applied to new tenants from September 30, 2002. This modernised right to buy has a maximum discount of 35 per cent or £15,000, whichever is lower.
Generally tenants with a right to buy prior to September 30, 2002 will retain the right to buy on existing terms, although this may change if they move house. Tenants involved in stock transfer will have special arrangements in place which will be discussed as part of the transfer process.
If a landlord has carried out modernisation or significant levels of maintenance on a house in the preceding 10 years, then this can be taken into account in setting the price paid after discount. These are known as the 'cost floor' rules.
Tenants of registered social landlords (RSLs) are covered by the modernised right to buy, but for most tenants this has been suspended for 10 years. The only way to confirm whether this is the case, and on what terms, is to ask the landlord concerned.
For more information click on the links below.
Guidance on Right To Buy
Your right to buy your home leaflet
Thinking about buying
Common Repair Common Sense
Cost floor determination 2002 (amendment to 1999)
Cost floor determination (1999)
Copies of the Right To Buy application form (APP1) are available from your landlord or the Scottish Government. This is only available to tenants interested in buying their home. For a copy of the form, call 0131 244 2105 or email the Housing Mailbox.
In September 2006 the Scottish Ministers made a report to Parliament on the effect of the right to buy in practice.