Right to Buy Mortgage Calculator

Using our Right to Buy Mortgage Calculator will give you a close estimate of the cost of taking out a mortgage on your council house/flat or Housing Association property. The calculator takes several factors into consideration. This includes:

• your income
• any deposit you are able to make
• the Right to Buy discounted price
• the number of dependents you have

Please note that figures provided by this calculator are for illustration purposes only, and that a full assessment will be necessary to get an exact figure. Lenders will also have their own criteria and calculation methods. They may place more weight on certain factors than others.
If you’re interested to learn more about Right to Buy and what lenders might be able to offer, please do get in touch with one of our team of expert mortgage advisors today.

The plan gives secure tenants of council accommodation the right to purchase their homes at a heavily discounted rate below the market valuation. More recently it has been opened up to some Housing Association properties.

Over the decades, successive Governments have made changes to Right to Buy and the criteria you need to meet to qualify. Significant amendments were made in 2012 and 2015. It has become much easier for tenants in England to purchase homes they currently rent.

The discount available will depend on how long you have lived in the property. Up to 70% of its market value or a maximum of £96,010 (rising to £127,940 in the London boroughs).
Right to Buy was terminated in Scotland in 2016 and Wales in 2021. A similar scheme still exists in Northern Ireland (where there is a £24,000 cap on the discount).

In order to be eligible for Right to Buy, both you and your property need to fulfil a few key criteria. As the tenant, you need to confirm the following:

• You are a secure tenant.
• You have been a public sector tenant (i.e. renting from a council, Housing Association, NHS trust or the armed forces) for 3 years or more – but that doesn’t have to have been 3 years in a row.
• You do not have any legal problems with debt.
• You do not have any possession orders outstanding against you.

The property must also:

• Be your only or main place of residence.
• Be self-contained.
• Not be housing specially built for elderly or disabled tenants.
• Not be scheduled for demolition.

If you and your home meet all the above basic criteria, then you can start the application process. You may also have something called ‘Preserved Right to Buy’. This applies if your house or flat was sold by a council to a private landlord (such as a Housing Association) while you were a tenant.

You are able to apply for Right to Buy on a sole basis if you are the named tenant. Alternatively, jointly with people who are named as joint tenants (such as your partner, spouse or close friend). Even with up to three family members who are living with you in the property (even if they are not named in the tenancy agreement).

Our team at The Mortgage Centres have access to a huge spectrum of lenders across the UK mortgage market. From specialist lenders catering for applicants in niche circumstances to the more conventional banks and building societies.

Our specialist Right to Buy mortgage brokers are in a position to identify exactly the right mortgage deal for your circumstances. We may be able to obtain products and exclusive rates that you will not find advertised on the high street. Contact us to find out how we can help you!