Consultation
The 'Future of Right to Buy in Scotland' consultation has now closed. We have produced a report on the stakeholder engagement undertaken during the consultation and will provide an analysis of responses by the end of the year. The consultation analysis report and research findings are available.
Right to Buy
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 contains significant reforms in relation to the Right to Buy including:
- Ending Right to Buy for new supply social housing;
- Ending Right to Buy for new tenants; and
- Introducing more flexibility and local control over pressured-area designations
This does not mean the end of the Right to Buy. Tenants with existing Right to Buy entitlements are not, for the most part, affected by these changes. For example, if a tenant has a Right to Buy over their current house, nothing changes. They are still able to exercise that right.
The following Right to Buy provisions in the 2010 Act commenced on 1 March 2011:
The following Right to Buy provision in the 2010 Act commenced on 30 June 2011:
A guidance circular for social landlords, a booklet for tenants ("Your Right to Buy Your Home - a Guide for Scottish Secure Tenants") and an application form are available:
Hard copies of the circular and booklet are also available and can be obtained through the Scottish Government, by contacting rtb@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. There are no hard copies of the application form, which is only available for download. Please note that applications should only be made on this form and any stocks of the old application form (APP1) should be disposed of.
Separate guidance for local authorities on the designation of pressured areas is available.
Guidance is also available for local authorities wishing to make an application under section 69 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 and for registered social landlords who wish to apply for an extension of the suspension of modernised RTB after September 2012 in accordance with section 44 of the Housing Scotland Act 2001.
Further useful information on buying a home can be found below:
If you have any questions please contact rtb@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
Please note that we cannot provide legal advice on individual circumstances. We can only give general advice on the right to buy rules.