Right to Buy

When you think about buying your home, you should consider that there are costs and new bills that you will be liable to pay:

• Once you own your home you will be responsible for your own repairs and maintenance costs and, unless you are a cash buyer, will have a mortgage to pay. If you buy a flat you will also have to pay for service charges and your proportion of any major works completed on your block.
• As part of buying your home, you will need to pay for a solicitor and conveyancing fees.
• If you are currently in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit you will no longer be able to claim this to pay your mortgage.
• If you buy a house, you will purchase the freehold of the property outright.
• If you buy a flat or a maisonette, you will purchase a long lease of up to 125 years.
• The block will still be owned by the Council and we will be responsible for the maintenance of the building, including any communal areas and facilities.
• You will be charged the appropriate service charges every year.