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.
In September 2006 Scottish Ministers made a report to Parliament on the effect of the right to buy in practice.
For more information click on the links below.
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, telephone 0141 305 4093 or email.
Consultation on further changes to the right to buy - 2009
The Government recently consulted on further changes to the right to buy in a draft Housing (Scotland) Bill. These built on the very positive response to proposals we set out in the 2007 discussion paper, Firm Foundations: the future of housing in Scotland.
The main changes we proposed were to:
- exempt new supply social housing from Right To Buy; and
- end Right To Buy for new tenants coming into social housing for the first time.
We will publish a report on the consultation in October 2009 and the Bill will be introduced to Parliament next year.